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Mzimude Pass
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TOPIC: Mzimude Pass

Mzimude Pass 20 Nov 2008 11:41 #234

I've noticed that you don't have details for Mzimude Pass on your lists, etc. Well here are a few for the sake of completeness

It's not a rock pass, just steep grassy slopes without any trail. The pass forks about 2/3rds of the way up - we took the South fork which was steep with a narrow sliver of grass allowing access through the upper rock bands to get to the escarpment. In hindsight, it appears that the North fork is the logical way of ascent, a little more rocky but it still looked ok from above. For both options, simply follow the course of the river all the way up (no waterfalls or similar obstructions).

Mzimude Cave is found about 50m down the North fork from the top of the pass, in the Northern wall of the pass. There is a little grassy ramp to be ascended to get access to the cave ledge (I think there is a cairn). The cave is roomy and well sheltered. Also nicely tucked away like Fangs which helps with the safety aspect.

I don't think this pass is used very often, mainly due to the difficulty of access to the bottom. As you know, many of the "trails" marked on the Southern Berg maps are non-existent. However, I find that the remoteness and adventurous aspect of making your own way through the little berg give you a unique berg experience in the south which is very appealing.

We made our way to the bottom of the pass from Bushman's Cave - an interesting approach and well worth it, although not the most direct (the trail marked on the map is non-existent).
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Re:Mzimude Pass 20 Nov 2008 13:17 #235

Thanks Stijn that's a handy write-up! I've been aware of the pass but have yet to do it. My impression from other comments I've heard is that North fork is harder than the Southern one, but yours is the most detailed account I've read so far.

I've studied the cave from the slopes of Walker's Peak on occasions, but I've never actually been right there to have a look. How many people can it sleep?

I love the wildness and "trail-lessness" of the Southern Berg. Wish I could get there more often than I do, but it's a long drive for me. Will be there in December though.

We've put lots of thought into how to handle Berg Passes on this site. It seems for now the best and most sustainable way is to let it happen through the interaction of this community and through voluntary contribution. We're looking at extending the features of this site to include personal blogging and gallery space which will facilitate this kind of thing.

I did start this page as a catalogue of all references made to passes on this site in order to keep track of all the info. I'm looking at making this a little smarter in future, possibly by implementing some kind of Wiki feature.

Thanks again for the contribution and keep it coming!
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Re:Mzimude Pass 20 Nov 2008 15:11 #236

Sho - now you're testing that memory of mine... I honestly can't remember the cave's capacity - here's a pic from the inside... maybe 6??? Not quite as hidden as I remember it either

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And a photo of the pass from below:

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For more photos of that trip (Tarn Cave, Devil's Knuckles, Bushman's Pass, Bushman's Cave, Mzimude Pass, Mzimude Cave, Rhino, Umzimkhulu Pass, Fun Cave, Sleeping Beauty Cave, Giant's Cup Trail), go here:
http://www.mountain.uct.ac.za/gallery2/gallery/2006/2006-q1-southern_berg_january/
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Last Edit: 20 Nov 2008 15:13 by Stijn.

Re: Mzimude Pass 19 Apr 2011 11:57 #2739

I tried Mzimude Pass in December 2010, the route through the hidden valley is really beautiful and clearly defined, but very long (about 12km before you exit the valley). The pass itself is a commonly used cattle theft route according to my research before the hike. We ended up at the base of the pass by sunset, there was a cave which we thought was curtain cave (but on checking a picture of curtain cave after the hike we found that it was actually an unnamed cave, but it was very sheltered and well hidden, you can't see the inside of the cave from the path (the cave is 40m up a steep grassy bank)). When we got up in the morning it was misty, so we turned back, but the hike through the hidden valley was worth it (especially the view of Rhino peak at such a distance). The nice thing about the route to the pass is the number of caves, there must be atleast 3 caves that will sleep 10 people and another 8 or so that will easily sleep 5. At the top of the pass there are 3 caves, if I remember correctly they sleep 6, 6 and 3, but I have only seen photos of them, as I say, we never reached the top of the pass, I only know this from my research before the hike.
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"If life's a learning curve, keep it vertical" - Gringe Fullen
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