Khulus

ghaznavid wrote: I also recently noticed on Google Earth that once you go south of Mzimude Peak the entire range looks fundamentally different, I'm guessing the cliff face actually ends around this point?

Certainly things do change around this point, but there are still cliffs beyond this point. The Berg continues on South for a longer distance than the length of the Drakensberg Park in KZN, it just isn't always the grandeur that we are accustomed to.

Re: Random Peak, you are tackling the very issues that make the whole thing interesting. What appears on a map (in this case, almost nothing) is not always it looks like out there, and this is the whole crux regarding the Khulus, the objective definition (height, distances, topographic detail) vs the subjective definition (appearance, historical significance, existing names, appeal factor etc.). You can be exclusive in your judgement, or inclusive. My thinking is as yours, rather include. Mountains don't fit into our neatly defined ideals. Enjoy them for what they are, and climb all of them. See my own notes regarding definition here: www.vertical-endeavour.com/blog/28-drakensberg/peaks/28-defining-khulus.html

Incidentally, my friend and I were also discussing Random Peak while sitting on the The Rhino summit recently.

One thing I find interesting is how stuck we can get on names which appear on a map. A 3000m peak has a name on a map, therefore it is a Khulu....therefore Bond, Potteril, Erskine, Katana, Kambule and Carbineer Point are all automatically Khulus even though they are all along a ridge and very close to each other. Other clearly defined peaks are not included because they don't have a name. You see this clearly in lists which attempt to define SA's highest peaks - mostly it is peaks with established names which are included on the list. Typically Mafadi and Injasuthi Dome appear at the top. But these 2 peaks are actually quite close to each other and you can summit them both in a short space of time. If you consider them to be separate peaks, then what about the nameless ones, who are often much more clearly defined? These are often overlooked. I'm thinking of peaks like Sanqebethu, numerous 3300m summits in the Didima/Yodler's Cascades area, and the ones around Champagne Castle.

All this talk of Khulus...I need to get back to my list of the ones in the 3200m range.

Our discussion was more that it was prominent and fun to climb.

I think its borderline, but could be included. There are several cases like that. The other one which comes to mind right now is the ridge coming off Poppple, which you might have noticed. Its not a neat summit but certainly looks prominent from the contour path below.

Yep was referring to The Auditor (I see you have trouble separating work from play ). My GPS measured it to 3279m. From below it really looks good, but its a bit of a disappointment on top. Random Peak is much more of a summit than this one though.

That other peak behind the Long Wall is definitely a Khulu, will post a pic sometime. If I'm not mistaken Murch referred to it as "Lotheni Peak". Have been close to it's summit, though not all the way.

As promised, here is a picture of "Lotheni Peak":
{joomplu:511}
I've never liked the name much myself. But it does border on Lotheni, as mentioned, and it is the highest unnamed peak in Lotheni I think. Its close proximity to the Lotheni Couloir (an ice-climbing gully - visible in the pic) also gives credibility to the name.