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Hi All

im taking leave for 3 weeks in september,me and my hiking partner want to do the Mafadi.We want to take it slow...5 to 7 days.How safe is it up there,it'll only be us two,any suggestions/info? The usuall-up Corner and down Leslies.

Update on my partner Anny, that fell easter weekend,in the Cowl ravine: last weekend we did 4 day little berg hike in the Injisuthi area,she recovered very well from her operation and is extremely positive.

Hi Hermann, great to hear about Anny, and good that you guys are heading back to the Berg soon.

If you are talking security, I have not head anything for a long time (hikers have been robbed on the Injasuthi escarpment before though, according to what I've heard). So, while its not likely that anything will happen, its good to always be on your guard, stick together and don't leave your stuff unattended (unless its very well hidden). I always take pepper spray along, so you may want to consider that. September is not a month in which you will encounter a lot of shepherds, so that will help, though individuals are still around, and you could encounter smugglers (they'll be using Judge Pass mostly).

Feel free to keep this thread running for more discussion on your trip.

Hi Hermann

Also glad to hear about the recovery. And straight back into the mountains! Great stuff!

Great route, especially if you stick to the escarpment (Trojan Wall, Triplets, Red Wall, Injasuthi Buttresses, just WOW!)

I did the same route last year August with two friends, and there was a lot of activity around Centenary Hut at night (long trains of lanterns/lamps, presumably smugglers). We also saw two locals at the top of Corner Pass when we topped out who kept following us until nightfall as we went in Leslie's Pass direction along the escarpment.

Then in December we went up Hilton's Pass and down Leslie's in a group of six (although two got airlifted out before the descent), and we only encountered two shepherds on the escarpment in the basin which drains into Hilton's Pass. The first one said "give me smoking" and he later came back with the second guy who said "give me sweet", but they were pretty friendly.

In none of these two trips did we get any visits during the night, even though our location was known to the locals.

I have hiked to and stayed in Centenary Hut on two occasions over the last few years, and have never seen any smugglers at night in the area. There was some litter on the path below the Judge, I am assuming that no self respecting hiker would have left that there, so it could be smugglers. As for the escarpment above Corner Pass, I was only there in winter which is also not a good time for shepherds, and saw absolutely no one. August is still very cold up there with limited water, and a good chance of heavy snow, so their herds aren't near the edge.

Sticking near the esc as Gollum says is a good idea, really good opportunities for amazing images.

Just be careful though and vigilant and ebjoy.

Did a hike over the long weekend 6 -10 August up Leslies to Mafadi and Makheke and back down Judges Pass, with 2 nights in the upper Injusuthi Cave. We saw several different herds of sheep with 2/3 sheperds, with dogs, with each herd along the escarpment over the three days but they kept their distance. There was a lot of "smugglers litter" in the stream approaching Judges Pass,but no sign of smugglers themselves. I suppose from a risk point of view it is probably safer than "pulling into your driveway" these days!!!

HI Everybody

Our condolances to the family of the deceased(cathedral peak fire)

We didnt do the Mafadi..decided to do it next year Easter,with a bigger party. We went to Cathedral for 6 day hike...came back this afternoon.We left the 6th,went up Mlambonja pass and traversed to Tseketseke pass. We didnt see one Basuthu,only when we were camping on top of the Elephant,we saw one herder,two horses a dog and a couple of cattle,in the Moroleng river basin where Tseketseke tops out.
Most of the escarpment/lesotho is burnt in the Xeni pass Mlambonja area,the river is also not flowing.

Anny did very well.....5 months ago with broken ankle!!! coming down Tseketseke was long and tiresome! When reaching the Tseketseke hut we were looking forward for a refreshing wash and just to relax with our feet in the water.......no water.... we did manage to find some lower down.
Was a awesome hike...we were planning to climb Cathedral Peak next weekend.
thanks for all the input on security issues....