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Hello,

first of all, thanks a lot for this forum and all the information you've shared here!

I plan to make a 4 days circuit trip starting from the Sentinel car park and I'd like to ask you for suggestions for relatively safe place to spend a night before I go back to the car (probably via Beacon Buttress Gully). I must be able to get to the car before noon at latest, so I should probably stay pretty close to the ladders/gully.. I'll have a bivvy bag, no tent, so finding 2 meters of flat surface anywhere shouldn't be a problem, I guess.

From what I've read here, I've got the impression that the whole Amphitheater area is a bit riskier than places further south. Do you think that it is feasible to find a good spot for the night and than get down to the Sentinel car park in 4 hours or so? If not, do I have to arrange anything in advance to get a place in the hut in the car park (I understand that there is one)?

And finally, I can't find the topographic map of that part of Drakensberg in whole Joburg (actually I can't find *any* topo map here) - can I count on that I can buy it at the park office? Is there actually any park office on the way to the Sentinel car park (or directly there)?

Thanks a lot for your answers!

Hi Jarolym

There is a pretty safe place at the top of Beacon Buttress Gully to bivvy that I used quite often last year. It is hidden from view from the valley below where the touble normally is. If you are on top of the buttress and looking down the gulley, the bivvy spot is to your left. There is a small band of rock that protects you from the wind rather well. Alternatively on your right hand side,on the buttress itself is loads of flat spots and soft sand to make a nice camp, you will have to keep light out at night time from this spot though.From here you should be down to the car park in no more than 2:30

I did hear that there is a small cave at the top of the gulley that sleeps 2 people ok. I have never been able to find it....can anyone pin point that out for us?
I will try post a pic

Forgot to add the views from there are both amazing, with the devils tooth and Sentinel still in full view from the bivvy spot.

Thanks a lot Mike!!
Wow, the description and the pictures are great, exactly what I was looking for. I hope I will find it easily.

I'd still be very grateful for info on the availability of the maps, if somebody can tell..

AS far as I know the maps are not avalible at the Sentinel car park?
I take it you're in the JHB area.The best place to find them are at Drifters in Sandton city, I have seem occasionally in Cape Union Mart stores.

You can order maps from thegeoshop.co.za, takes about a week to get it.