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In preparation for our mini traverse from Sentinel to Organs we are looking to get to know the Mweni area a bit better.

We have had a look at the route going up either Mweni Pass or Rockeries Pass, sleep either Ledgers or Mponw’n. Then hike around the cut back to Fangs pass either cave or camp at the top check out Madona and her worshipers and finally back out.

We hope to do it in 4 days maybe 4.5 in April, is that a do-able time frame for Mweni. We have no experience in that area but looking forward to the challenge of the Mweni. Not sure on any specific etiquette with the local leaders in crossing their land?

bergbees

In the Mnweni area, you're almost always looking at a full day in and a full day out. So the up Mnweni down Fangs combo should probably be tackled as a 5-day trip.

It's quite easy to get back to the Mnweni Cultural Centre from Mponj cave at the top of Rockeries in a day so if you only have 4 days, head up Fangs and come down Rockeries... much more feasible (day 1 to 5-star cave, day2 to fangs cave, day 3 to ledger's/mponj cave, day 4 out).

Both those options are an absolute highlight in the berg... Fangs Pass, the Cutback & either Ledger's/Mponj cave are not to be missed - Enjoy!

Great, we were in two over which way to go about it, knowing that it is possable to do Rockeries -> MCC in a day helps with the planning!

The following could work if you are prepared to walk hard:
Day 1 - either Shepherds Cave area or ChiChi bush camp
Day 2 - ascend Mweni Pass, sleep in one of the 2 mentioned caves
Day 3 - traverse to Fangs Pass/Cave
Day 4 - descend Fangs Pass and walk out

I have done all of the above in some form or the other, so they are do-able, however, be warned, descending Fangs and walking out in a day is very long and hard...we did it once plus still drove several hours to get home.

If you want to do Rockeries, and make it up there within the first day, then this will allow you to descend Fangs Pass on Day 3, making Day 4 a lot more manageable.

As Stijn pointed out, if you are doing a Fangs-Rockeries combination in 4 days then it would be easier going up Fangs.

You can also do Mweni Pass in a day, but I would not readily recommend you try this.

Be warned, generally nothing in the Mweni is short or easy.

You can arrange for a taxi (ask Agrippa to arrange it for you the day before when you arrive) - they will either drop you off at Langwane's Kraal for Rockeries, or where the road ends near the split between the Mweni and Ifidi valleys, for Mweni Pass. This saves you 5km of walking on dirt roads. I've even arranged a pick-up at the end of a hike (several days in advance) before - and we were picked up on time! The price is negotiated. For a pick-up you'd have to make it worth their while obviously.

You don’t need to worry about permission to cross lands. The MCC is a community project already and benefits the 2 tribal authorities represented in the area. The locals are generally friendly and will even help you stay on the right trail - especially on route to Mweni Pass - it's a little confusing the first time when you pass through the kraals.

If you go soon, you may also meet the dagga planters. Again, they are friendly as long as you stay away from the crops . Do be aware of potential (but very minor) petty theft by shepherds and hunters in the valleys. Mweni and Rockeries are very major smuggling passes.

The Mweni is a definite personal favourite - enjoy!

My fav. Escarp. hike :
Day1 : 5 Star Cave
Day2 : up Fangs Pass to Fangs Cave
Day3 : to Pins Cave
Day4 : Mponj / Ledgers cave
Day5 : Down Rockeries Pass

Days3 & 4 are half days and can be combined, but I took it real easy and enjoyed the stunning views ... and climbed Rwanqa Peak and checked out Manxsome Pass (climb the rockband to the left and go down a bit ... stunning views !!. I kept close to the Escarp. edge all the way. The cut-back is pure paradise especially as I had clouds rolling in like waves crashing against the walls of the cut-back and flicking up it's spray!
Day5 I left Mponj cave at 6am and got to the MCC at 12:30, and I'm not a fast hiker. The last couple k's are on a very hard dirt road, can be tough on the feet !!