Passes of the Drakensberg

A grade D is part of a purely technical grading system indicating how difficult the actual moves on the rock are. It gives no indication of exposure, rock condition etc. C+ to D in the Berg is normally where you have to start roping up and use climbing gear, but not as a hard and fast rule. Cathedral Peak is C (without the ladder maybe a C+ or slightly harder). The first pitch on the standard route on the Sentinel, which you can see from the trail, is a D. This is an older grading system which is still used in the Berg. D in the new system is grade 8-9. See tables at the bottom of these pages:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grade_%28climbing%29
peakhigh.co.za/climbing/rock-grade-comaprison/

The "D" on Injasuthi Pass is straightforward and has no scary exposure, but this kind of thing is very subjective and depends on the person. If you fell you would injure yourself however.

Redi has a short, scrambly bit where you may want some rope to haul your packs up. Apparently not that bad. Rest is steep grass. Lotheni North Fork (the one indicated on the map) does have a nasty waterfall section. Lotheni South Fork (which should have been indicated on the map) is straightforward, just steep grass slopes. Rhino Pass apparently just a little scrambly - will confirm in a week

Right, the list of passes has been updated, added to and polished up a bit. One major improvement you will notice is that the names of the passes, where applicable, are now links to more info, typically a write-up on the blogs or a detailed forum discussion. So that this page is easier to find, a link to it has been added as a menu item at the bottom of each page on this site. Be sure to check out the associated GPS data too, as several passes have been added.

Right, I have added Hlubi to the list. I see it's time for a routine update to this list since more links and pics can be added. At some point I will expand this table with more detail and links too.

As for Rhino Pass, it is in a gully and bit scrambly here and there but straightforward. We did it with some ice build up even. I agree that in the thick of winter, and after a flood, it would be more of a challenge.