vertical-endeavour.com

Greetings,

I am busy planning our next berg hiking instalment which is to go up Leslies and then come down Judge Pass in September.

Any tips for finding and descending Judge Pass. I note that Corner Pass is close by and could be used to descend. Any views as to which is easier to get down?

Any guesses on the distance between the top of Leslies and Judge Pass?

Finally is anyone aware of recent security issues in that part of the range?

Regards
Rolf

Hi Rolf

Click on "Info on Berg Passes" at the bottom of the page.

Great info.

I'm doing the exact opposite hike in October (ie up Judge and down Leslies). Judge pass is a smugglers route, there was no path there until about a year ago (if you have a look at www.vertical-endeavour.com/forums/11-drakensberg-passes/2740-climbing-popple-peak.html#2747 you will find some details on it). Due to this, you must just be careful about where you camp around the pass, but during the day it should be safe.

Note that I have never done any of the mentioned passes, but I am very familiar with all 3. Corner is much steeper than Judge Pass, its also rocky and a much more narrow gully, so Judge is definately easier, faster and probably better (based on the photos I have seen from Corner Pass I would imagine that Judge Pass is also more scenic). Have a look at the photos on berg.co.za and on this forum.

When you have completed the hike, please post many photos so I can see what the route looks like!

Thanks for the advice.

Ghanzavid - I will post pics when we are done (plan to finish 25 Sep). We came down Leslie's last September and were able to follow the route easily enough (after taking advice from this forum).

Yes, Judge Pass is easier than Corner Pass.

Judge Pass is closely associated with The Judge peak, so use that as a marker. If you find yourself slogging up a steep slope out of the valley and Popple Peak suddenly seems closer, then you've probably gone too far. After descending the pass a little, it does traverse South a bit - don't miss that. If you find yourself endlessly clambering down a boulder-filled gully then you are probably off the trail.

Distance between the two passes is about 14km according to my own GPS tracks but that is obviously very route dependant.

Only security issues I'm aware of is the ongoing use of Judge Pass by the smugglers. Seems to be a significant route these days. Don't assume they are put off by the winter weather.