Lesotho 2014 - Marijuana in the mountains

In February 2014 I went to the Lesotho highlands for 10 days doing a reptile & Amphibian survey with 2 other reasearchers who were studying small mammals. For the next 10 days we traveled around the Mohale Dam by horse back, and we had 3 donkeys to carry our gear, as well as a guide to lead the way through the mountains.

We were dropped off by car at the first accessible site, where after we headed high in to the mountains

Occasionally along the way to the next village, there was a marijuana plant growing alongside the path. I stopped to take some photos and our guide informed me that there is a village we would stay over at in a few nights, that has large Marijuana fields.

I was searching for frogs and reptiles in the rivers and surroundings, but they were far and few in between. I managed to find 4 species of frogs and about 7 species of reptile.

Drakensberg Crag Lizard

Montane Speckled Skink

Slug Eating Snake

As we got higher in to the mountains, we started finding marijuana fields that were quite recently planted

Our guide, myself on the horse and Herds-men. All the herds men was came across on our journey would ask for "Matakwan" - The lesotho name for Marijuana.

The higher we went, the more marijuana we found! :D

It was growing all over the place!

Eventually I was lying in it.

In some of the huts, they had 50kg bags stacked full of marijuana and the huts were packed full to the roof. There was literally tons of it. Once they harvested it, they would strap it to donkeys, and send them down to the nearest town. They call it Cashcrop.

Soldier in Maseru

God Help Me Pass - This pass was really steep and apparently becomes deadly when it's snowing.

Red hot fire pokers - I think this is a very descriptive name ha ha. Especially if you've had some mary-j.

Mushrooms ;)

I hope you guys enjoyed this post :D
David