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We will be climbing Intunja, yes. I think the idea is to spend the night in the vicinity in tents, and then head up there the next day.

Then the campsite at the base of the mountain by the river will serve you best. If you wanted to, you could climb Intunja on the first day already.

Hi Scag

I would agree that it is best to tent near the river opp Intunja, this would the quickest. I have camped here and it was a great spot.

If you have extra time KBC is great for views up at Monks Cowl and the cirque of mountains in the area.

Karl

So we did this hike last weekend, and it turned out well. Didnt end up climbing iNtunja on the first day due to misty/wet weather.

Enjoyed some red wine in the evening, and woke up the next morning to frost covering our tents, my socks frozen solid, and an 8mm thick layer of ice in our pots (we had filled them with water overnight to wash in the morning).

The reserve had a lot of day hikers walking about (none of which had maps). One party were shouting at us across a valley to ask for directions back to the gate. There was also a lot of litter lying around (undoubtedly from the day hikers), as well as at the campsite below iNtunja.

Didnt end up climbing iNtunja because of the cold in the morning, and some knee injuries.

Thanks for the report back, sorry you didn't make it to the top (now there's a reality of peak climbing, one doesn't always get it right the first time).

We have picked up many bags of litter in that whole area before. The smugglers are also major culprits.

I'd like to encourage everyone to actively report this kind of thing to the OIC at the KZN Wildlife offices at the end of the hike (ask to speak to them directly, avoid telling the person manning the office). We need to create a positive pressure and interest from the hiking community about this kind of thing. It's not like they don't know about it or are not willing to do anything about it, but there's nothing like a constant reminder and interest from the public, and they also benefit from fresh reports. And be encouraged to do a little clean-up yourself too.

Hi Scag

Could you mean INTUNJA ? I thing another name is GATBERG which explins it perfectly. it is a freestanding peak with a wacking great big hole through the top. The SAAF use it for training excersises with the choppers as it has good [safe] approaches for a touch landing.

HIKING: From The Monks Cowl station one can go via the Sphinx up to the contour path at Blind-mans corner. Then NW on contour towards Hlatikulu nek [Keith bush camp]. at the junction splitting SSW to Keith Bush you will need to continue NW dropping into the valley. From here a faint path can be seen running up to the hole in the peak.[you will have spotted INTUNJA by now unless there is mist or low cloud!] There is a flat camp-spot in the valley.

ADVENTURE: Take the Sphinx from MC station. At Blind-Mans corner contour S to W to Cowl Fork campsite. Up Cowl fork RIGHT HAND SIDE whwre it forks, over the saddle between the Cowl and Cathkinand down to Keith Bush. Then North to INTUNJA and back via the contour path.

Enjoy.

NB. Grays pass, Keith bush trail to the contour is well used by Dagga Smugglers, so lock up tight at night.