vertical-endeavour.com

Hi guys,

first of all - great forum, a lot of experienced hikers, well done to all!

This January coming from Russia to get the best out of SA. Hiking in Drakensberg is on the agenda. Based on my research in the net, including this site, I decided that the most awarding would be the hike to the top of Ampiteatre via the famous chain ladders.

Will have one full day on the 6th of January. Our plan is to drive to Bergs on the 5th and spend a night at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge (is it the best option, closest to the Sentinel park?) in order to start early in the morning. Some questions to you

1. as I understand January is unpredictable in terms of weather, it can be rainy and cloudy. Do we have a chance to see something from the top of Amphiteatre? if chances are low maybe we should choose some other trail?
2. although the trek is pretty simple we would prefer to take a guide. Is it possible to arrange this in advance? What would you recommend?
3. what time can we expect to come back? My girlfriend never tried hiking before and I want to keep the tempo relaxing.
4. It is not pretty clear how much time we will spend on the top. I understand that there is a chance to do a hike along the escarpment of the Amphiteatre. What time does it usually take?
5. Do you think we should consider spending a night at the top (camping) in order to enjoy sunset? Or it is not worth it (bearing in mind the risks of bad weather and possible security issues)

As far as we want to spend one more night in the Bergs before going to St.Lucia on the 7th of January - what place would you recomend to stay and what to do after the Amphiteatre hike (as I understand we can expect to be back at the Sentinel car park by 4 pm).

Answers to these questions, as well as any other comments would be very appreaciated.

thank you in advance,
p.s. some background about ourselves - young couple from Russia, not experienced hikers, i tried mountaing hiking only once - ascend to the Kinablau mt at Borneo. want to show my girlfriend that hiking could be fun, she is sceptical about this, hope our Berg experience will provide additional arguments;)

Hi barvin and welcome to this community.

Great that you are including the Berg in your tour of SA. Its a treasure that is often overlooked.

To answer your questions.

- Yes, Witsieshoek is the best, closest place to stay if you don't want to drive much in the morning. It is under new management and they are slowly getting it jacked up again (it was getting a bit old and run down). You can sleep at Sentinel Car Park but accommodation is very basic - just a dormitory with bunk beds (no electricity, no food and no bedding).

1. Yes, you most certainly do stand a chance of having beautiful, clear weather even in January. It just can't be predicted accurately. If, a day before your trip, the weather is misty and rainy and the weather report is not good, you may want to consider an alternate hike lower in the valleys.

2. For guides I would consider contacting Sungubala, Ian Shooter, or even Witsieshoek Lodge.

3. Hard to say exactly. But for a very relaxed pace I would consider 3 hours to the top, an hour to relax there and 1.5-2 hours back down.

4. Once you are at the top, the steep bits are pretty much over and it becomes a lot flatter, so you can cover distance quicker. Consider 1-2 hours one way to cross the Amphitheatre from Tugela Falls.

5. Might be worth it to have a real outdoor experience, especially if you have a guide organising all the gear and cooking etc. The security issues up there are more of a pest than they are dangerous - however you might spend a restless night listening for sounds around your tent, thinking it is a Basotho trying to steal your stuff. So consider that too, especially for your girlfriend, if you want her memories and experience to be good.

Places to stay after your hike: Cathedral Peak area is a personal favourite of mine, so consider Didima or Cathedral Peak Hotel (note: both places are pricey). You can also camp there. For a shorter drive after your hike (especially if you finish late) there are many places below the Amphitheatre.

Hope this helps. Please let us know how your plans go, and we always like hearing how it went afterward!