Khulus

26 April 2012:


As opposed to the other 3 cairns I have built - that little rock pillar I climbed above Thuthumi Pass, Tseketseke Peak and the top of Gypaetus Pass.

Smallest summit cairn I've ever seen was the one on top of Gypaetus Point:

intrepid wrote:

intrepid wrote: Lithobolong might well be better seen as a "Top". If I remember correctly the obscure hump didnt even have a cairn on it initially.

The cairn on the top was about 10 rocks when I climbed it last year.

I built that one

I nearly destroyed it by accident.....

Really, small cairn on top of Lithabolong peak took the brunt of me falling on it due to a wind gust (trying to pose for a photo). Gosh that area is really windy. Took a couple of falls due to the wind that day and the day before.

When did you build the cairn (just to make sure we are talking about the same one )

Ok - so I finally have EKZN map 1. I have gone through the RNNP and Mnweni area for the purposes of updating the good old khulu list.

The following Mnweni Peaks don't seem to be marked on the map:
- Rwanqa Spear (3175m)
- Mbundini Buttress (3120m)
- Mnweni Outer Buttress (3099m)
- No heights on the Mnweni Pinnacles
- The Ifidi Pinnacles aren't on the map (although I have seen them)
- Rockeries (3027m)
- Mbundini Fangs (3024m)

Peaks that seem to be khulus as defined, but aren't on Murch's list:
- There is an unnamed 3213m peak near the Hidden Valley
- A 3102m peak near Rwanqa (maybe the Rwanqa Spear with an inaccurate initial height?)
- 3047m peak near Rat Hole Cave (perhaps the Mbundini Buttress with an incorrect height?)
- 3205m peak at the end of a narrow passageway of SA behind the top of Ifidi Pass
- 3176m peak near Mont Aux Sources

Once I have these sorted, I just need a good map of the Free State to back up that area - then I'll just have the best part to finish, the fieldwork

This thread has been dead for far too long, so here's a theory question for the Vergelegen guys. Murch's khulu list has a peak called Mkomazi 3279m, between Ngaqamadolo and Nhlangeni Peak. I can't find such a peak on the map, and the few photos I have from GT2012 of the area seem to show a lack of a peak higher than the peaks to the north and south. The highest spot height between them on the map is 2980m (presumably the high point between the peaks). To the best of my knowledge it is as follows:


Anyone know whether or not this Mkomazi peak above 3000m actually exists? Otherwise it is a good excuse to do some fieldwork

Just double checked the Murch list as well - I see what you mean. Now I am trying to figure out where on earth I got this khulu from. Anyway, my list is now 1 peak shorter...

Recently Leopard and Xeni have been the point of much off-site discussion.

After much confusion this weekend, it all makes sense now. Please note - neither of these khulus were named by me, both are names as per Murch's original list and Xeni is also the name as per the RD listed by MCSA KZN - first climbed in 1961.

From the top of Mlambonja Buttress, the obvious massive lump of rock is Leopard. The flat top next to it is unnamed, and I believe Xeni Pass tops out between these 2 peaks (also note Xeni Peak to the left behind Leopard):


Xeni Peak itself is detached from the escarpment. It looks like access would be via an exposed traverse at the base, around the gendarme and up the line of weakness between the gendarme and the main summit:


From the south Elephant is much more obvious, and kind of does look like an elephant. I don't think any explanation is required in this regard.

Is Mlambonja Buttress not the broad flattish "peak" on the far left of your first photo? It's the square block you can see directly across you from the top of Cockade Pass.

The reason I ask is that you say the photo is taken from the top of Mlambonja Buttress?