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Hi guys,
I'm planning to hike Mont-Aux sources with another 3-4 guys around the 3-5th of December 2010. The plan goes like this-

1. Get to Sentinel Car Park around evening on Friday, 03 Dec and camp there for the night.

2. Start out on the trail from there on Saturday, 04 Dec. We want to camp out for that night around tugela falls. We were hoping to do this in one of the caves so that we can avoid carrying the tents to the top.

3. Start back for Sentinel car park on sunday, 05 dec.

With all of the reading i've done on the forums here, it seems like camping at the Sentinel Car Park is fine. I do however need help with plans of camping in one of the caves around tugela falls, especially in terms of the safety and security situation in the Berg. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone can help me out here. Any other inputs to do with the hike are also welcome.

Thanx

Welcome vk

There is one cave on the summit of the Amphitheatre. It is called Crows Nest, and is situated away from the falls above 3000m. Co-ordinates are S28 45.588 E28 53.070 Alt. 3136 m.

The other cave - Sentinel, situated below the summit just off the path and shortly after you pass Buttress Gully is nice, but removed by altitude from your destination. Check it out though on the way in as it may come in handy.

I am not sure of your experience or level of commitment, but December is the time of year when thunderstorms, rain and mist prevail. My suggestion would be to take a tent for shelter, and use the cave only for the experience, if you wish to gain that sort of altitude.

When I last visited Crows Nest a long while ago, it appeared to be well used by livestock, based on the mess.

There also appears to be a slightly higher security risk in this area, possibly due to it's popularity, so make sure you sleep on your kit.

As mentioned, Buttress Gully is a good variation to either descend (better) or ascend as part of your route. It would be difficult to attempt to find it from the top if the weather closes in. Whereas the top of the ladder is well marked with a large cairn and the old steel gantry gear used to place the ladders.

The Berg is no place to take lightly when it comes to the weather. The easy access to the escarpment of the Amphitheatre, and an underestimation of the weather and personal ability has cost some lives, even recently.

The hut on the summit is for the use of EKZN staff and MCSA and is generally locked.

Enjoy. And let us know how it goes.

Hey vk. Welcome to the site.

As ST2 mentioned, Sentinel cave is well below the chain ladder, and thus not a far walk from the car park in fair weather. However, even recently, some have fallen foul of the inclement weather around this area. Do not take it lightly, and rather pack at least one tent in case, even if you do not plan to use it. I have not as yet been to Crows nest, but the security issues around Tugela Falls are of concern. The access is really easy for would be thieves, and they are accustomed to the area, far more so than any of us. However, on the flip side, many others have tented around the area without issue, but I would advise against tenting there without at least being aware of the issues. If you are aware of the issues and have taken consideration (such as pepper spray/mace, a bright torch that can blind would be thieves, and sleep on your kit in your tent) of the issues and taken precautions, it is my experience that this planning is generally unnecessary. Call it Murphy's law if you will, but to date I have yet to have run ins with thieves, because Intrepid and I have been cautious and known about the security issues and prepared for them.

It is a really stunning piece of the landscape of this country that I plan to go to very soon again, but with the correct mindset and preparation, it will be better for the all-round experience.

Let us know how it is up there, for those who are not as fortunate to get out there as often as we may want to!

Thanx for the really valuable inputs dom & ST2! I highly appreciate the help and will surely post the details of how it goes!

Hi VK

I last checked Crows Nest Cave about 2 months ago and it was in pretty good condition.
The little hole to the far left of the cave had been used as a toilet by 1 individual but it wont effect you in the cave.

We were going to sleep in it but had to descend due to lack of water on the escarpment but you shouldnt have that problem this time of year

Hi VK, sleeping in a cave does offer a slight advantage than a tent in terms of security, in that you can stash your gear at the back of the cave and sleep in front of it. That way they cant simply grab your stuff and run off like they do with tents. They may hang around the cave while you are there though, which can be a nuisance, but generally the theft is of a timid, non-confrontational, non-violent nature in that area.

Whoever used that annex cave as a toilet, shame on you for your selfishness and short-sightedness (and I hope you read this)!

ST2: the hut locked? That must be a fairly new thing?