Un-named pass Mashai River |
| Drakensberg - Passes | ||||
| Saturday, 29 May 2010 11:51 | ||||
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A number of years ago, whilst camping in the valley of Sleeping Beauty/Engagement caves, I took a stroll up the same valley in the afternoon. At turn around time I was at a point where I could look clear up the gully to the escarpment. With low sun and little shadow present, without binoculars, it looked like it was passable. This Monday passed 24/05/2010, armed with bino's and cameras, we did it. Some difficult steep grassy banks, and some rock, but passable. About 100m from the summit a splendid cave [not of the overhang kind] about 6-8m deep. Its head is at the top of the South fork of the Mashai. The North fork is the top of Wilsons Pass [which we descended - more on that later]. The gully tops at 3087m [Casio Protrek] and is overhung by The Bollard. [Pics and descr. to follow later]
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 10 July 2010 14:02 ) | ||||
This is also my favourite part of the berg, i like the idea of climbing passes that not many people have done. My Gypateus Pass at Giants Castle will be tested this summer (if i can put together a group crazy enough to do the hike).
"i was i bit worried about the water higher up being frozen"
Ghaz. There has been very good rainfall in the berg this year, as a result there is a lot of flowing water at higher altitudes than normal. However, the low temps mean there is a lot of ice as well.
We only saw sun in Bollard Pass when we neared the top, so iced sections are likely inevitable. Whilst we had rope, but did not use it, I recommend having a length.
This is also my favourite part of the berg, i like the idea of climbing passes that not many people have done. My Gypateus Pass at Giants Castle will be tested this summer (if i can put together a group crazy enough to do the hike).
Have a good one. This is such an awesome part of the berg. You should also have no water troubles, as water was EVERYWHERE a week ago.
Rivers flowing well above the 2500 mark.
There are quite a lot of pictures that I took, just search BOLLARD PASS and they pop up.
I enjoyed scrambling the gully in Wilsons Pass, but Intrepid seemed to have found a way down the grassy bank.
Your choice.
I have yet to get hold of Charl Brummer, 'cause if anyone has done it before, it will either be him or someone he knows of.
Glad to hear it is being explored!
I am sorry I missed your post until now.
We did contour below point 2651 in a WSW direction. It was very steep getting into the valley, but no real problem. There was no sign of a path on this slope.
Sherry Cave will sleep 7 at a squeeze (not 12, as marked on the map). There was no water near when we were there altho there is an obvious small watercourse next to the cave, probably flowing much of the time, but dry when we were there (July). The main river bed is perhaps 10min away. The cave has a magnificent view facing NW. It should provide good shelter from the rain. It is under a sloping rock a short distance up from the path leading up the valley and, while easy to spot, is not obviously a cave as seen from the path. We were told it is an obvious cave and nearly missed it!
I would like to hear about your trip.
Bill.
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