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TOPIC: Southern Berg

Southern Berg 14 Jun 2010 15:07 #1384

Any tips or suggestions on escarpment hikes in the Southern Berg?
I've only done Mashai pass in that area.

What is the Sehlabathebe/Devils Knuckles area like?
  • plouw
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Re:Southern Berg 14 Jun 2010 15:49 #1385

Bushman's Pass and Thomathu Pass are pretty cool, both start from the Bushman's Nek border post

Re:Southern Berg 15 Jun 2010 18:06 #1392

Msubasuba pass (straight up the middle of giants cup/hodgskins peaks) in Cobham.

1st day: stay overnight in Lakes/spectacle/polela cave.
2nd day: Up Msubasuba pass, overnight at top of sani pass (either tent or backpackers lodge at sani top pub)
3rd day: Down sani pass to south african border post.

Ive done this before, except we had mountain bikes delivered to the pub for us. Then we hitched a ride to black mountain, and cycled from there down sani pass.

If you want it to be longer, from the pub you can go to Thabana Nthlenyana (highest point in southern africa). Will need tents for this.
  • Scag
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Last Edit: 15 Jun 2010 18:08 by Scag.

Re:Southern Berg 16 Jun 2010 08:12 #1393

The Devils Knuckles and Sehlabathede are definitely worth the visit. Its classic, just don't exepct the dramatic escarpment cliffs of the Northern Berg. Lovely area for caves, tarns, sandstone formations, easy passes, and the Knuckles themselves are excellent for scrambling.

Masubasuba is worth a visit, agreed. Scramble up at least one of the Hodgesons peaks. Can be combined with some of the other passes further south too.

If you want something harder and very remote, consider Vergelegen. You may want to focus your first visit there on Thabana Ntlenyana and nearby passes, but it has a lot more to offer than that.
  • intrepid
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Re:Southern Berg 25 Jun 2010 02:29 #1417

@Intrepid (or anyone else willing to comment)

I notice you posted a photo of the Sehlabethebe area in September 2009.

Did you visit the area at that time of year? I am interested in the water situation at Tarn cave in September. Is the only viable water likely to be from the tarns above the cave (and then needing to possibly boil it)? Is there likely to be flowing water somewhere below the Knuckles? What would the condition be at Tsoelikane Falls - flowing sufficiently or somewhat frozen?.

I am interested in spending a couple of nights up there, but only know the summer conditions.
  • Sterkhorn
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Re:Southern Berg 29 Jun 2010 05:41 #1419

Haven't been in that area in September before. It is possible that fresh water around Tarn Cave might be a challenge at that time of year. The valley below is fairly far just to fetch water, though I think it will be flowing down there. I have used water from the tarns numerous times without a problem, though it might be wise to boil it. It tends to taste brackish.

The falls are not likely to be frozen, being at a low altitude, and being in September.

Enjoy, and let us know.
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