vertical-endeavour.com

seems like the long w'end early Aug. brings some brave warriors to the Berg .....
who's heading where ?
and anyone has an idea what the weathers looking like ?

Not 100% sure, but currently headed for Corner-Mafadi-Leslie's in the Injisuthi area. Might divert to the Cathedral Peak area for the Bell Traverse or Tseketseke/Cockade/Mlambonja passes. At one point Bell Traverse was almost certain. We'll probably decide Friday night...

The seven day forecast at weathersa.co.za for Giant's Castle camp predicts mist on Friday and Saturday.

Are there any better resources for weather on the web? I've heard another cold front is hitting next weekend, but it's a small one.

Check Cathedral Peak Hotel's webcam!!!

yeh, hear same about the weak cold front.

I'm off to Lower berg at Injisuthi. Combo of caves depending on availability.

I've found www.windguru.com to be scarily accurate - once you register (free), you can mark a waypoint on google maps and it gives a 7-day forecast for that specific location (probably averaged out from grid forecasts nearby).

It gives temperature, precipitation, high/med/low cloud cover %, wind speed and wind direction for every 3 hour period.

The reason it probably feels more accurate is that all the detail conveys a clearer message of what the forecast actually means, much more so than a "partly cloudy 30% rain".

Enjoy your hikes guys, I'm off to Waterval Boven for some climbing and mountain biking.

Thanks Stijn!

Does anyone know the current (or usual) condition of the road from Winterton to Injasuthi? I travelled the Winterton-Champagne road last December, but I do not know the part from that road to Injasuthi. How long does it take from Winterton to Injasuthi?

I just heard two Sotho's were killed near Cathedral Peak. I only heard via word of mouth, but it seems they opened fire on a army patrol, who returned fire somewhat more effectively.

Now will they be scared off for a while, or return for revenge? That's near our alternative route so I'm a little concerned...

*edit* I just mailed Ron Physick at KZN wildlife. He doesn't know exactly what happened, but he says a group of hikers ran into a smuggling train in half-dark, who then opened fire on the hikers. My brother phoned me earlier and told me he heard it on the news. Does anyone have any more info?

You can also get some good info on the current weather conditions at Giant's Castle from this news feed:
http://vertical-endeavour.com/news-feeds/giants-castle-weather.html

About the incident with the hikers, I will also get some more info and update the site with it. I'm guessing it happend around the Organ Pipes area and that the smugglers mistook the hikers to be a KZN Wildlife patrol - this kind of thing happened there last year too.

Lukas, its 1-2 hours to drive to Injasuthi from Winterton. The dirt road is not that great but can be driven by regular vehicles without any problems. There have been security problems along this road (but none that I'm aware of in the last 2 years or so), so be aware of potentially being road blocked by cows or people. Kids have also been known to throw stones at cars. Avoid driving in the dark.

Stijn, climb safe. Magan, what caves you heading to?

I envy you guys in the Berg this weekend - hope you have an awesome time! I`m not anywhere near the Berg, but just to make me feel a little better I`ve just spent an awesome 9 days in the Canadian Rockies!