Beginners/Easy Passes

I'm a beginner hiker and often hiking with my wife.
1. What are the easiest beginners passes to summit?
2. What would be easy beginners hikes (routes) using these easy summits

I've looked at the section detailing pass ratings but I would like your input into the easy ones and which ones you would do first to build confidence and experience

Thanks
Duncan

Good question Dunmor

Langalibalele Pass (at Giant's Castle) is definitely the best, its really easy (well, by Berg standards anyway) The approach to the pass is steep and very tiring, but the pass itself is fairly easy. A nice loop is what myself, Kliktrak and Hobbit did in June this year (see this writeup ). The pass we descended (Hlubi South route) is really steep and has no path (as we reopened it after probably about 100 years of disuse). I wouldn't recommend heading down Hlubi Pass unless you are up for a really steep and grassy pathless pass (there are 2 gullies, I the north one looks passable, but I haven't tried it out yet). Thumb Spur Peak is within 1km of the top of Langies Pass and has an amazing view. It is really easy to get to. With a tent you could do this as a multi day route - there are also 2 possible caves on the route, "This" Cave on Langies Pass (I haven't checked this cave out, it may not be any good), and Bannerman Cave on the escarpment (which you will probably need a GPS to find). If you do camp on the escarpment in the area, be careful, this area has bad history. Otherwise a tent at the base of the pass should work well. Personally we did it as a day hike, but that was 10h30 and was tough.

A classic beginners route is Rhino Peak (at Garden Castle) via Mashai Pass. If you take a route like this, just be careful, the actual last part on the peak itself is hard, if you don't find the route up you kind of end up rock climbing!

Another classic (with well placed caves) is any variation of Thuthumi Pass, Smugglers Pass and Organ Pipes Pass (a very scenic area with well worn paths) - at Didima. Tons of amazing views, and none of the passes are overly difficult.

Enjoy!

We are planning a 3night trip over the coming long weekend. We are keen to go to the escarpment- Looking at Loteni: What is Hlatimbe pass like, or Butress pass? Any other recommendations for an easyish ascent? we will be tenting tenting... Other areas as well- your feedback will be appreciated.

Hi, the easiest ascent I've had is Langalibalele (hope I spelt that correctly) pass starting at Giants Castle. There is a long walk along the ridge beforehand but the pass is a doddle... It's a very straight forward hike

Easiest is definitely Langalibalele - I've done it 5 times, last time I came down it it took 45 minutes to get down! You can do some awesome peaks while up there - Thumb Spur (3055m), Bannerman Face (3235m) and Senqebathu (3301m) have incredible views (other than Bannerman Face, none of those names appear on the map).

I haven't done Hlathimba or Buttress, but I have stood at the top of both Hlathiba Passes and I have read up on both passes. They seem to be pretty easy. Buttress pass is apparently very steep.

Elinda has a nice writup on Hlathimba pass here.

Agreed on the fact that Langalibalele Pass is one of the easiest but if you have a bit of stamina in you then Giants Pass is not that difficult and provides you with some fantastic views of the ice waterfall (turn left once you crest the pass the traverse round for about 30 minuted - good place to camp too) then if you have extra energy once you've setup camp as the ascent of the pass is only about 2.5hrs then you must ascend to Giants Peak - the views from there are some of the best on the Berg and you're high up too (around 3330m).

Whatever you do enjoy. The mountain air is great for the soul.

I have not done Langies, however Giants is an easy but long pass. Buttress is a difficult pass near the top, Hlatimba is easier or so says the red field guide. The drive to Lotheni after Nottingham is on a dust road that is notoriously not good. Usually i access Lotheni via Underberg which has a shorter and less severe section of gravel rd, but then i am usually traveling from durban.

Do a search on the site for these various passes and see what you come up with, usually there are lots of images as well which is useful.

Buttress was quite steep near the top and a bit damp in mid summer with some rock clambering and grass holding. Nothing too scary as its a very narrow pass. Hlatimba North is a very nice, straightforward pass with a great cave near the top.