vertical-endeavour.com

Hi everyone,

I checked the maps the other day & was wondering what would be a nice weekend hike to do in the Monk's Cowl area? Sort of like a "up Mweni & down Rockeries pass" type of hike

I was considering to go up with Grays pass & down with Ship's Prow, but the latter seems to be a rather difficult pass?

Any other suggestions?

Thanx J

Again, this is not a weekend trip, Unless your a machine Gray's pass is not *difficult but the trek to Keith's bush camp is often understated.

*fitness levels on these forums are generally insane

4 Days would be a good amount of time if you stay in JHB and factor in Travel.

Just a comment on Gray's Pass: Nathan Thompson mentioned a potential rockfall in the "Debriefing" report of his recent record attempt on www.drakensberg.ning.com

It's in the discussion section on the left panel.

I think it was his first time doing Gray's so he may have been off-route. Any other news on this?

As far as passes go I can't think of any viable weekend/2-day routes, other simply up Gray's and back down again. There is a C-grade scramble going up Champagne Castle Buttress from KBC, but apparently the route can be difficult to find...and generally not a good 2 day option. Going down Ships Prow and back to the car park makes for a long day, only possible for the quick and nimble, and not something I'd readily recommend. Make sure you've done the pass previously before attempting something like this. If you're talking about the South Fork, its not technical, just very long and steep...and then there is the 5km boulder-bed-paradise between the base and the contour path...

Thanx for the replies!

HMMmmm... Haven't done the any hike further than Cathedral Peak area, so I'm interested in doing as many passe to the south this year as I'm planning to do a GT some time next year.

Reason for my asking about passes is if you need to "suddenly get out of the berg & there's no heli to pick you up.

I'll still what pops up in the Giant's section & then I'll make up my mind.

@ Intrepid: Is the boulder bed 5km! Wow that's gonna pull some serious amps! I thought it would be more like 3km.

Will do the hike there if I have more time in the future i guess.

@ Zen: I'm no machine. HAHA-just a regular berg lover. I do a bit of cycling like 3 x 19km's a week to keep fit, but I know I should push it way up for GT time.

Anyone else riding MTB? or road bike?

@ Stijn: I couldn't access that site. Will probably join & have a look. Thanx for the link.

J

@ JacquesBuys : I cycle a bit, mtb when I can, roads easier (more convenient )though. Just been wondering about Berg fitness? Apart from hiking in the Berg, what does everyone else do to keep Berg fit? I'm fairly active; cycling, gym, surfing etc but always get a surprise when I put a pack on my back in the Berg. My grandparents used to walk around (the garden, block where ever) with loaded packs in preparation. I'm considering it myself now.