Best overnight berg hikes you've done
03 Mar 2009 09:40 #350
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Re:Best overnight berg hikes you've done
Balarka, I've literally just come back from a trip to Didima Cave, so this is the first gap I've had to catch up with the forums. I've always been fond of the Didima area, but after this trip it has gone up a few notches in my book.
We did the following:
Day 1: drop-off at top of Mikes Pass, walked to The Neck, ascended Thuthumi Pass, slept in Rolands Cave.
Day 2: headed for Yodler's Cascades, walked the entire valley up to the nameless 3300m peaks behind Didima Cave (these are some of SA's highest), slept in Didima Cave.
Day 3: climbed Pampiring and The Witch, then headed towards Tlanyaku Pass via the escarpment edge. We got there at 16h00 since we had done a lot of exploring that morning, but then decided to descend the pass anyway and got to Schoongezicht Cave later in the evening. We'd done the route before so it was ok walking it in the dark.
Day 4: walked out via The Neck, and got picked up from Mikes Pass.
An extra day to spend more time enjoying the area is reccommended, as the above itinerary involves some hard walking. Also, ascending Organ Pipes Pass as opposed to Thuthumi would be a lot easier - we were doing it for variation.
You could do a 4 day loop using Gray's Pass. I once set-off from Keith Bush Camp, ascended the pass and reached Didima Cave in a day, but this is a full day. If it's your first time to the area and you have the luxury of 5 days rather take the extra time. It's worth it.
We did the following:
Day 1: drop-off at top of Mikes Pass, walked to The Neck, ascended Thuthumi Pass, slept in Rolands Cave.
Day 2: headed for Yodler's Cascades, walked the entire valley up to the nameless 3300m peaks behind Didima Cave (these are some of SA's highest), slept in Didima Cave.
Day 3: climbed Pampiring and The Witch, then headed towards Tlanyaku Pass via the escarpment edge. We got there at 16h00 since we had done a lot of exploring that morning, but then decided to descend the pass anyway and got to Schoongezicht Cave later in the evening. We'd done the route before so it was ok walking it in the dark.
Day 4: walked out via The Neck, and got picked up from Mikes Pass.
An extra day to spend more time enjoying the area is reccommended, as the above itinerary involves some hard walking. Also, ascending Organ Pipes Pass as opposed to Thuthumi would be a lot easier - we were doing it for variation.
You could do a 4 day loop using Gray's Pass. I once set-off from Keith Bush Camp, ascended the pass and reached Didima Cave in a day, but this is a full day. If it's your first time to the area and you have the luxury of 5 days rather take the extra time. It's worth it.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
04 Mar 2009 08:11 #351
by Balarka
Replied by Balarka on topic Re:Best overnight berg hikes you've done
Stijn, Magan and Intrepid - thanks for the great tips and advice on route options:) They all sound like excellent hikes and its really helpful to have some first hand reviews.
For the trip I am going to be doing in a couple of weeks time, I think I might go for the Mnweni option. Its a completely new area for me and looks quite feasible for 4 days - we will make a decision when we get there as to whether we go up Mweni or Fangs.
I am just curious to ask one question not directly related to this thread. You all highly recommend the Bell Traverse. I have never hiked this route before partly due to not having had an opportunity and partly due to the accounts of cattle rustling and vertigo inducing trails. Would you say this route is within the capability of the average Berg hiker?
For the trip I am going to be doing in a couple of weeks time, I think I might go for the Mnweni option. Its a completely new area for me and looks quite feasible for 4 days - we will make a decision when we get there as to whether we go up Mweni or Fangs.
I am just curious to ask one question not directly related to this thread. You all highly recommend the Bell Traverse. I have never hiked this route before partly due to not having had an opportunity and partly due to the accounts of cattle rustling and vertigo inducing trails. Would you say this route is within the capability of the average Berg hiker?
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
17 Mar 2009 09:31 - 17 Mar 2009 09:32 #360
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Didima pics
Some pictures of the Didima area.
Didima Cutback and The Witch from Tlanyaku Pass:
The Witch viewed near Didima Cave:
View from Didima Buttress:
The seldom-seen Twins:
Didima Cutback and The Witch from Tlanyaku Pass:
This image is hidden for guests.
The Witch viewed near Didima Cave:
This image is hidden for guests.
View from Didima Buttress:
This image is hidden for guests.
The seldom-seen Twins:
This image is hidden for guests.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Last edit: 17 Mar 2009 09:32 by intrepid.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
09 Aug 2011 15:29 #3551
by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Re: Best overnight hikes
The best night I have ever spent in the Berg has to have been the night I spent in I'm Sure Its Not A Cave (up the south stream of the Mzimude River just past the hidden valley), nothing better than waking up 1m down the bank from where you went to bed, looking up and seeing a huge rock about to fall from the roof of the cave...
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
