Bannerman Pass - Langalibalele Pass Loop

Hi All,

I plan on taking a few beginners up Bannerman's pass and down Langalibalele pass in a few weeks.
The core of the group has berg experience, but we have two ladies with us who have never hiked in the Drakensberg before and us such we'd like to take it a bit easier.

The current plan is to start a bit later on day 1 (around 10 - 11 am) and proceed to Bannerman's hut where we'll either set up camp or overnight in the hut. Day 2 we'll proceed up Bannerman's pass and head towards Langalibalele pass once we summit, camping somewhere along the way. Day 3 is down Langalibalele pass and back to the cars.

I have a few questions which I'd appreciate if anyone could comment on:

1. Bannerman's hut seems somewhat run down. Is it better to camp in the area, or is overnighting in the hut still a decent option?
2. How does one go about booking Bannerman's hut? Can I do it in advance, or should it be done on the day?
3. As I understand the water taps in Bannerman's hut are out of order. Is there running water nearby? How far?
4. The page on Langalibalele pass mentions that first timers often end up in the wrong valley, but looking at the maps and some photos on the forum it doesn't seem too difficult to find. Anything in particular to look out for?
5. Camping near the top of Langalibalele pass seems to be a bad idea due to the threat of the Basothos, but I gather the entire area is somewhat risky? Where would be the best spot to put up camp, seeing as we want to reduce the day 3 distance if possible? I've considered Bannerman's cave but I think it is too small (we will be 7 - 8 people) and somewhat exposed.

Thanks for any and all help!

Fantastic, thanks for your help and images!

It seems my computer skills are letting me down

I tried selecting Giant's Castle from the drop down at bookings.kznwildlife.com/MakeABooking.aspx and although I can see Mountain Hut-Bannerman as a unit type to the right, it doesn't appear as an option if I select "Check What's Available", regardless of the dates chosen.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks, I'll give them a call.

Funny enough - the 2 passes I have done the most in the Berg are these 2, I have done 7 different passes paired up with Langies (my nickname for Langalibalele Pass) and yet I have never done the traditional Bannerman Langies loop. And just for the record - I don't plan to any time soon

So Smurf has covered this one very well, but just to add a few odds and ends:
Bannerman Hut: as Smurf says, the hut is great (but stay out of the toilet area, the smell is really bad). When I was there a few months ago there were black bags full of litter in the hut. I don't know who left it there, but don't leave your rubbish behind. Leave nothing in the hut.

As Smurf says, there is water right by the hut, but on more than one occasion I have become sick after drinking from that river near the hut. I now try to fill up on the streams as you approach the hut and I would then fill up higher up on the pass.

If you want to mix things up a bit - with an earlier start on day 1 you can always spend the night in Spare Rib Cave. But don't think that horrible icy hole near the path is the actual cave, you turnoff towards it, walk around the corner past it and you will find the real thing. There is a thread about it somewhere on the site.

The navigational problem is just that some people end up in the wrong valley after crossing the Senqebethu ridge. Smurf's picture clearly shows the 2 options - just make sure you are aware of the general layout of the valley, pick one and you should be fine. There is a line I have used where you drop below the cliff line on the Bannerman Cave side of the ridge, just past the cave you cross over to the other side of the ridge under the cliffs (done by staying high on the ridge), and then drop down the other side (from this high point you can clearly see the top of Langies Pass if the weather is good).

Camping options:
- from the top of Bannerman Pass turn right towards Gypaetus Point (the big pointy peak on the northern slopes of the pass). There is a beautiful spot on the river here - well sheltered from the wind, near water and a great view of Popple. I have used this spot a few times, seen 1 local on 1 occasion, never had any issues.
- Bannerman Cave is nicely between the 2 passes. Its not a very nice cave when its wet, but it should be dry this time of year. Only problem is that it is very far from water, especially in winter.
- Above Langies Pass there is a stream that flows quite strongly (although it was iced up when I was there 2 weeks ago). There is a beautiful flat spot for camping right there, and it is less than 1km from the top of the pass.
- If you opt for dropping down the Bannerman Cave gully rather than 1 gully further east, where that river joins the Langalibalele River there is a beautiful flat spot (water was also iced up a 2 weeks ago).

With the locals - if you see any, just be very friendly, ask to take a photo with them and give them a chocolate to say thanks or something like that (the prevailing opinion is that you shouldn't just give them a chocolate for nothing though - hence the photo first). I have camped within sight of their homes further down the Langalibalele River and had no issues. Actually got invited to spend the nights in their homes. The pattern seems to be that they are generally great if they see you as a friend, if they realise that they intimidate you or that you don't trust them, then you are asking for trouble. But don't leave your stuff unattended at any point in this area.

Don't underestimate the time required to get up the Senqebethu Ridge. Getting up it is quite quick and easy, but just remember that you top out around 3200m and the top of Langies is around 2900m - made up of a long slow descent.

Giants Castle is one of my favourite spots in the Berg and the valley between Popple and Senqebethu is one of my favourite valleys - so enjoy!