vertical-endeavour.com

I have been following the extensive security warnings about this area for some time. My question is when last were any actual situations reported in this area, as a means to gauge the "current" situation ? I have enjoyed the hike up Langalibale in the past and was considering a round trip Giants Camp / Bannerman / Lanagalibalele / Camp in a week's time as a (long!) day outing. Unfortunately my situation is a small group so I don't want to take chances with security !!! Any recommendations ? Thanks in advance !

You raise a relevant point about gauging the current situation. It is a little tricky whenever that kind of question is asked on this forum. Not every incident gets reported or circulated. It would be great to get some regular feedback from hikers that have been there, who can report on things even if there were not any problems.

I try to keep the status of passes updated on this page. It is based largely on my own observations, or from feedback from other hikers.

We are looking at ways of logging reports, sightings, incidents and appreciate any ideas and feedback.

I generally try chat to the staff on the ground when I'm in the Berg to see if they have anything new to report. I recommend you do the same.

I have not heard of any problems since the rock attack in Bannerman Pass reported by Thomas Abbott in May this year (click here to view it). This is the second time I have ever heard of this kind of thing. It is very disturbing but does not seem to be a regular occurrence.

Your intended route is best done as a day hike, as you are planning to do, and I do not anticipate that you will have problems. I would not recommend this route as an overnight hike. Bannerman Cave would naturally be the perfect overnight spot, but its probably the most dangerous Berg cave to sleep in. Of course, hiking alone is highly risky in this area, even during the day.

The Grand Traverse race held this last week did not see any problems with the Basothos. Two ladies passed through the area without problems and another descended Bannerman Pass on her own after her partner aborted further back.

I think that there are still relatively few shepherds and smugglers around at this time of year, but this will start changing rapidly now. For this reason I try as much as possible to only visit the Giants Castle escarpment in the winter and spring.

I have a few incident reports on the area from some time ago which should actually be listed somewhere to get all the facts out. I will start a new thread to list these and it would be great if we could all add to it and keep it updated.

I hope you enjoy your hike and do let us know how it went!

Thanks for the great reply. Will update when I get back !

Went up and down Langalibalele Pass on Sunday. Saw a number of horses grazing on the summit area, but no site of anyone else.

What I found disconcerting was the group of foreign tourists doing the same route starting late in the day, as well as another group of tourists at Injisuthi, wanting to hike overnight, starting late in the afternoon and obviously no idea where they were heading. Maybe I am overly cautious, but am often concerned that foreign guests are blindly naive about some of their undertakings in the 'berg, at times seems like an accident just waiting to happen ...

Thanks very much for your valuable feedback, and glad it went well!

The horses I've also seen there in mid-winter. I've also seen this in other places and have always been intrigued at how the Basuths leave them alone like that to graze.

I don't think that one can be overly cautious in the mountains and I share your concern. I think the Berg is underestimated often, especially when it shows its enchanting side. But it's a world-class mountain range in my books, with some very real dangers and extreme weather. It has the added dynamic of security problems and foreign tourists on their own do get mugged.

I also remember being in the Injasuthi area in 2005 when a group of foreign tourists were air-lifted out from the escarpment, near Leslies Pass if I remember. They had intended to descend somewhere in the Monk's Cowl area, could not find the pass they were looking for and got lost.

Hi all

I just did this route (up Bannerman's, overnight Spare Rib cave, descend via Langalibalele) two weekends ago with no basothu-related incident. The area was surprisingly quiet!

Just my current report.