vertical-endeavour.com

Hello people

I'll be at the berg this weekend and I would like to hike up to the amphitheater with the wife.

Only problem is that she is absolutely against climbing up/down those ladders.

Is this even possible (to get up there in a day) and if so any details on the route would be most appreciated.

A GPS track map would be first prize if anyone has it.

Thanks
Mo

Hey Mo,

A day trip to the Amphitheatre is totally do-able even without the Chain Ladder. Go up Beacon Buttress Gully instead. It's steep but not exposed like the ladders. There are some scrambly bits, and even an old wooden ladder which is largely in pieces now. As long as you're OK with a bit of scrambling, you'll be fine.

See these threads for more detail:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forums/11-drakensberg-passes/629-amphitheatre.html
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forums/8-drakensberg-hiking/123-chain-ladders.html

GPS data:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/downloads/doc_details/35-beacon-buttress-gully-gps-data.html

Have fun!

Thanks for the Info, Exactly what I needed and wanted to hear.

Do you know if there is a shorter way to get to sentinel car park withouth having to drive through Harrysmith/Phuthaditjaba?
I'll be driving from Ladysmith and if possible would like a shorter route there?

Also is it possible to park my car somewhere from the Bergville side and complete the same hike.

We training for Kili so should be able to do about 16km in a day.

The car park can only be accessed from the Phuthaditjhaba side. From the Bergville side you could park at Royal Natal and walk up to Witsieshoek Resort, from where you follow the remainder of the road to the car park - this is somewhat a historical route. But this is not really a day hike option. Other than that you can access the Amphitheatre from the Mweni - Ifidi and Icidi Passes being the most direct approach. But these are serious passes and it would be a multi-day trip.