Ifidi and Icidi passes are infamous for being two of the most difficult passes that the Berg has to offer. Don't let this put you off though. With enough experience and fitness, Ifidi is one of the most satisfying Berg passes to tackle with 400 vertical metres of a narrow rock gully to negotiate before topping out on the slopes of Thaba Ndanyazana.
This gully does pose some potential problems as we got stuck on a ledge for 3 hours during a flash flood after an ordinary summer thunderstorm. If choosing between Ifidi and Icidi, go with Ifidi as its route is relatively simple to navigate and far less frustrating bundu-bashing needs to be done.
Area:
Mweni, Northern Drakensberg
Rating:
Rock * * * * 9/10
Difficulty of the pass is rated from 1-10 (10 being very difficult, only to be attempted by the fit and experienced). A subjective quality rating is indicated by the number of stars (1 being low, 5 being the highest). Factors such as scenic beauty and overall experience come into play here, which may differ from person to person.
Access:
Ifidi Pass can be accessed by a 16km walk-in through all the kraals from the Mnweni Cultural Centre. The Ifidi river valley branches off right from the Mnweni river valley when the main river is crossed about 6 km from the CC.
Details:
The distance from Cycad Cave to the top of Ifidi Pass is 5 km with an altitude gain of 1150m.
Route:
There is a clear, dagga-smuggler's path all the way to Cycad Cave just before the small patch of indigenous forest. The path continues down to the river through the forest and dies shortly afterwards in the boulder bed of the Ifidi River. The route is fairly simple from here - just stick to the river, boulder-hopping all the way up. At about 2300m, the boulders get too large to clamber over. We bypassed this section of the river by climbing up the steep, vegetated slopes on the southern (left) slopes of the pass. Stay above the river on these slopes all the way to a major fork in the river at the base of the impressive Ifidi Pinnacles. Be sure to take the right-hand fork here and head into the narrowing rock gully at 2600m. This gully eventually narrows to about 4m wide and its gradient rears up steeply. The rest of the pass involves scrambling up the boulders in this gully. Most of it only involves some large step-ups but there are 3 sections where packs may need to be passed up to negotiate the 4m chimneys. After loads of fun in the gully, the gradient eases off again and you will find yourself on the final 20m of grassy slopes to the summit at 3000m.
Finding the pass from the top:
The first gully South of Thaba Ndanyazana which has a small cairn near the top is Ifidi Pass. It looks really intimidating from the escarpment so make sure you have the correct gully!
Overnight Spots:
Cycad Cave has a perfect location at the base of the bass at about 1850m. This cave is, however, very dirty with the entire roof covered with black soot and a thick layer of ash on the ground. There are quite a few spots to camp on the grassy slopes below the cave near the river and all the way up to about 2200m up the pass, it is possible to find a reasonable camping spot of the banks of the river too. There is apparently a really small shelter at the top of the pass called Ifidi Cave but most people don't bother with it.
Water:
The Ifidi River has running water until the point where the boulders become house-sized (in Summer). There is also a small, seasonal trickle in the final gully itself and a large river on top, about 500m from the pass summit.
Forum Topic:
More info on Ifidi Pass can be found on the forum, here:
