vertical-endeavour.com

I am hoping to climb popple peak this weekend and currently plan on using Langalibilele pass. I am just wondering about my other options, I am looking at Judge and Corner passes as possible alternatives. I have found enough info on Corner pass to think it is a plausable option, but can't find any info on Judge pass which is the closest pass to the peak (I am also a bit of a "pass bagger" so I like doing odd passes that I would otherwise not use). I am mainly looking for details on how safe the pass is and how safe it would be to camp at the base of it in a tent, how difficult the pass is, do we need ropes to do the pass (I do not like any form of hiking that requires ropes other than 3m rock faces which I need a rope to pull my pack up) and if possible, I would like to see a photo of the base of the pass and what the pass looks like when actually climbing it.

If anyone who has done the pass and can help me with this info could inform me, I would be greatly appreciative.

Judge Pass is very straightforward, thanks to our companions, the smugglers. It is a significant smuggling route and has a trail and poses no major obstacles. It is no longer a rock pass as suggested on the maps. Check the downloads section for GPS data on it. The base of it is not that favourable for camping, though spend enough time looking and you'll find something. Rather head towards Bannerman Hut though, pretty quick from there, and you'll find better camping spots along the way.

Route more or less follows left had shadow boundary.

Thanks, very much appreciated. That pass doesnt look nearly as daunting as corner pass, or as steep as my photos of the top of bannerman pass (that top section of bannerman looks so steep in photos, but I don't remember it actually being that steep), but I guess when I have actually climbed judge pass I might change my answer!

They say a picture paints 1000 words:

well congrats ghaz! We will all sleep better at night now.

It was funny - everyone went up Thabana Ntlenyana, 7 out of 9 went up Redi and Popple, and by the end of it I was the only one going up peaks like the Ifidi Buttress...