Dangerous river crossings in the rainy season

Crossing the eNjasuthi river about 2km from the Main Camp, if one is off towards the Trojan wall section of the contour path is a dangerous one.
I recall that this crossing has claimed the life of one individual who's body was never found.
There is a safe alternative that requires walking OVER the road bridge, heading away from the main camp, for a distance of about 100m. A path up the bank to the right [which is the begining of a path leading to the eNjasuthi outpost] takes you up into the Protea band running parallel with the eNjasuthi river. Heading South will eventually bring you to Poachers stream, which is an easy across. Bear in mind however, that the river junction higher up leading to Marble Baths will be impassable if the lower crossing is same. Ditto for the river up to Lower eNjasuthi Cave.

As ST2 describes, the Injasuthi crossing near 29 deg 8.03 S, 29deg 26.26E can be avoided by crossing the road bridge and following the route ST2 outlined. This diversion adds only 20 minutes or so to the trip and was necessary for about 3 continuous days in mid Dec 2010.

Also problematic is the Ndedema River (28deg 58.8, 29deg 17.9 and crossings thereafter) when walking out of the gorge by following the river back to the road.

Crossings low down in the valley tend to have a slow response and can remain too high for several days.

Higher up, closer to the escarpment, the streams are more flashy and remain a problem for about 12 hours max after an event. In these cases, waiting may be wise.

We got caught out coming down Thlanyaku pass into Ndedema a few years ago and had to work upstream off paths to where the tributaries were smaller. It was still difficult to cross and we only managed by holding onto each other to make a stable platform of 4 legs rather than 2. Its the closest I've come to my final hike in the Berg, notwithstanding many dodgy abseils.

On the Injasuthi crossings this December, I kept my shoes on and found this helps a lot. With shoes on, one can make quick reflexive adjustments rather than the careful, tentative steps one takes when barefoot. Likewise, one is more inclined to let a shoe slide down a slippery rock and stop at the bottom than with bare feet. After ten minutes or so of walking in wet shoes the water was largely out of the shoes and feet had warmed up nicely - one key advantage of shoes over boots.

Its worth also being aware of ways out which don't require big river crossings. For example, Organ pipes and down Mike's pass would be OK after big rain. Likewise down the ridge from Cowl via van-H pass to Injisuthi camp where there is a substantial wooden bridge across the big river crossing. I noticed that the bridge is new, possibly because the old bridge, bits of which still remain, was washed away.

Finally, with the La Nina event in the Pacific this year, conditions in the Berg will probably be wet for the rest of this summer.

Agree with mnt_tiska on the crossing with shoes/boots option. They feel no pain.

I personally always carry a lightweight pair of trail shoes strapped to the sides of my pack. Using these to cross wicked rivers gives one far greater grip and stability. (Proved really useful on trips up the pipeline towards Fun Cave and the Stones Passes.)

One previous crossing of the eNjasuthi river that we did, on a homebound trek, we simply did boots and all*.
Whilst the river was flowing strongly, it was not 'flashing' and we accomplished this by wading from a point downstream, into and across the current to the exit on the opposite bank upstream.
At times up to our chests! It was hairy, and probably a calculated risk. Top note is that without a pair of trekking poles we would not even have contemplated it.

Rivers that are in the flash stage of flooding, for those who have not seen same, are to be avoided at all costs. The 'boiling' water contains objects such as branches and even trees that will in most cases take you away should they snag you. The size of the boulders that are moved when a river comes down in flash mode are also unbelievable.

I have seen branches and a large tree trunk deposited 15m above the waterline in Two Dasssie Stream - the irony being that it is labeled as a stream.

Even with the obligatory length of rope, one needs to carefully assess the risk involved between crossing immediately, or waiting for 8-12 hours. As mtn_tiska notes, the higher up you are the quicker the water will subside.

Probably time to choose routes carefully for the next few months. I am even looking at accessing Corner from Giant Castle Main Camp this time round.

* Karl Beath's (SeriousTribe) book, 'Touching the Light', a photographic journey through the Drakensberg, describes the crossing in more detail. It is due for release soon on Blurb. FINAL editing in the last stages.

Mnweni River crossing before 5 Star cave. I havent used the bridge well before, always climbed up to last kraal and contoured. But the bridge should be the option at this time of the year.
Even the 'stream' coming down left before the Dassie and last kraal i've heard has turned back hikers after heavy rains.

The Ntonjelane river crossing by car just before the Mnweni Cultural Centre used to cause some anxiety . Thankfully there's a bridge now !

@ ST2 : crossing the Injisuthi River at turn-off towards Marble Baths should be much easier as its just by the confluence of 3 rivers. Still, the current is pretty strong there.
Have had a pair of sandals washed away whilst wearing at 1st river crossing at Injisuthi

ps. Stones Pass (N): can avoid river section by climbing the ridge above Wilson's cave. Or possibly you meant to say Mzimkhulu Passes

On the latest trip to Injisuthi this summer I was with a guy who does a lot of trout fishing in rivers (he does very little hiking). He had a knack of shopping around a 100m stretch of raging river and choosing spots that were easy to cross. Although I've walked in the Berg a lot and lately mostly in the summer months, I wasn't nearly as good at choosing the best place. I would start at the path crossing point and then look around. The path crossing point meant very little to Mr Fisherman. I learnt to look far further as a result, taking into account the river gradient and the river width as well as the details of the boulder layout.