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Is the security situation in the Drakensberg an issue for you? Do you perhaps avoid hiking there because of it? Or maybe you don't feel threatened at all by it?

I believe there should be a greater awareness of this issue. Discussion is healthy. Please share your opinion on this topic.

Okay, here's my 2c.

First, don't act like a white man. Yellow and red are out, green and black are in. A white man's camp is an advert for \"get free stuff here\". Get a camouflage tent, camp off trail, not in the open, occupy the high ground, make dinner before dark, don't use lights.

After I make camp, I string a thin tripwire line around my tent on the guy wires about half way down. This will jiggle my tent if anyone approaches. I can sleep soundly and not have to listen for noises. Then I tie all my zippers shut - usually there are 2 sliders, I tie them together so my tent cannot be unzipped. Nothing is left outside and nothing in the bell. Then I run a long string through everything - boots, stoves backpack, etc - and then to my wrist or sleeping bag. Then I arrange a light and a weapon of some kind and if I am woken I am ready for blood. I will not leave my tent, but I will defend it from the inside.

I cannot defend from rocks, but I am willing to pack up and leave, even in the dark.

Most of this does not work in a cave, but it seems the caves are safe, at least up until now, and I can't say why. Perhaps in a cave you have the high ground. Perhaps one should camp where there is no high ground from where an attacker can stone you.

I was once followed at Ntonjelana pass. I never saw them, but as I came through I could hear them whistling to each other from two points which moved as I did. Lucky for me, the mist moved in, and I immediately took a sharp left uphill and backed up, and made camp way uphill behind a ridge where I was sure they would never find me.

I suppose my attitude is - they can get me in the city, they can get me in the dark, but if I have to go, I prefer uKhahlamba park!

Nice one BB, rather get hit in the Berg than anywhere else! Good attitude to have as the security problems shouldn't put us off.

Good advice on camping. I also tie everything together inside the tent. Due to space constraints I leave the gear in the vestibule but put a precariously balanced pot with stones in it on top - it falls off easily and makes a noise if the gear is tugged at.

I've had lots of discussions around trip wires...how long does it take you to set it up? And what do you use to act as the alarm?

Caves do have an advantage in that generally the gear can be stashed far back behind you...and there are no distracting noises of the tent flapping in the wind. But the big disadvantage is that the Basuthos know where most of them are....unlike a tent that you can pitch somewhere hard to find. If they are timid then a cave is good, but if they are malicious then they will mug you even in a cave, as has happened in Bell Cave, Bannerman Cave, Spare Rib Cave and Giants Cave.

Still doesn't stop me using them. Caves are fab!

Trip wire - 5 minutes. Simply take some fishing nylon and go guy-wire to guy-wire, as I said, about half way down. I rigged my guy wires with loops so all I have to do is thread the nylon.

Don't forget to step over it when you go out to pee, no light of course!

What is the trip wire attached to? Does it simply shake the tent?

For the long-fingered under-the-flysheet thieves... MOUSETRAPS



(just don't leave food out or the real mice will get hammered)