Fangs Cave
31 May 2010 11:06 #1325
by mike
Fangs Cave was created by mike
HI Might be a little off topic, im going for 3 days to Mnweni this weekend coming. Im planning on getting to Fangs cave on the first day, descending to the waterfall spot at the bottom on the second day and walking out on the third. Do you think its possible to get to the cave on day one? and if not has anyone seen a good place to sleep the night half way up the pass?
the co-ords i got off google for the cave are 28'51'45.98"S, 28'51'45.98"E is that accurate?
And lastly which side do you approach the cave from when finding it? from the image on google it looks like the West side?
the co-ords i got off google for the cave are 28'51'45.98"S, 28'51'45.98"E is that accurate?
And lastly which side do you approach the cave from when finding it? from the image on google it looks like the West side?
This image is hidden for guests.
Please login or register to view the image attached to this post.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
13 Jul 2010 14:15 #1472
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Re:Fangs Cave
Mike, I somehow missed this post (which I have now split from another thread). I assume you have done this hike by now? Just for the record, my take on the questions are as follows:
1. Would not recommend trying to reach the cave in one day under normal circumstances, unless you are up for a long day, start early, have a strong, fast group and are confident of route finding. Did you manage to do it?
2. I don't know of a good spot to camp when you have taken on the pass already and don't think you'll easily find one after you leave the junction with Mbundini.
3. The position looks accurate.
4. If you are ascending the side gully it is in, the cave will appear on your left. You can also descend that side gully from the escarpment.
Let us know how it went.
1. Would not recommend trying to reach the cave in one day under normal circumstances, unless you are up for a long day, start early, have a strong, fast group and are confident of route finding. Did you manage to do it?
2. I don't know of a good spot to camp when you have taken on the pass already and don't think you'll easily find one after you leave the junction with Mbundini.
3. The position looks accurate.
4. If you are ascending the side gully it is in, the cave will appear on your left. You can also descend that side gully from the escarpment.
Let us know how it went.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
13 Jul 2010 15:13 - 13 Jul 2010 15:36 #1473
by mike
Replied by mike on topic Re:Fangs Cave
Thanks for the info there Chris, I did do it a few weeks after but we got up and descended further down the escarpment instead
Getting to the cave is possible in one day but as you say it will be a tall order.I actually didnt manage to find it (or even look for that matter) as there was about 20-30 meter visibility and pouring with rain .we were wet and cold so headed straight to the top and into the tent.
As far as camping half way up i didnt see anything unless you bivvy and have an un comfy night.
Im planning to do it again in better weather so that p/h next month looks good,good to know you can head up to the escarpment straight from the cave.But all this talk about the Bell traverse has made me itchy
So many choices
Getting to the cave is possible in one day but as you say it will be a tall order.I actually didnt manage to find it (or even look for that matter) as there was about 20-30 meter visibility and pouring with rain .we were wet and cold so headed straight to the top and into the tent.
As far as camping half way up i didnt see anything unless you bivvy and have an un comfy night.
Im planning to do it again in better weather so that p/h next month looks good,good to know you can head up to the escarpment straight from the cave.But all this talk about the Bell traverse has made me itchy
So many choices
Last edit: 13 Jul 2010 15:36 by mike.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
04 Oct 2010 12:06 - 04 Oct 2010 12:31 #1855
by tiska
Replied by tiska on topic Re: Fangs Cave
mike wrote:
This reply comes very late, but just for the record, we did spend 3 nights half way up Fangs Pass once. See photo below. The bivy spot was actually quite large and flat and just to the left of the path (when ascending). We found it by chance. I got pretty sick on the drive into the Berg. After two days hanging around at the start of the walk in, I felt well enough to start walking. But half-way or so (maybe as little as one-third) up Fangs Pass I couldn't take another step and more or less fell onto this bivy spot, where I spent 3 feverish nights. Equal measures of good and bad luck on that trip....
has anyone seen a good place to sleep the night half way up the pass?
This reply comes very late, but just for the record, we did spend 3 nights half way up Fangs Pass once. See photo below. The bivy spot was actually quite large and flat and just to the left of the path (when ascending). We found it by chance. I got pretty sick on the drive into the Berg. After two days hanging around at the start of the walk in, I felt well enough to start walking. But half-way or so (maybe as little as one-third) up Fangs Pass I couldn't take another step and more or less fell onto this bivy spot, where I spent 3 feverish nights. Equal measures of good and bad luck on that trip....
This image is hidden for guests.
Please login or register to view the image attached to this post.
Last edit: 04 Oct 2010 12:31 by tiska.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
28 Nov 2018 07:36 #74283
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Re: Fangs Cave
What is the max people that can squeeze into Fangs cave without being on top of each other?
Anyone have pics they can post?
I think I've only seen one looking out
Anyone have pics they can post?
I think I've only seen one looking out
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Smurfatefrog
-
- Offline
- Moderator
-
Less
More
- Posts: 1066
- Thank you received: 1429
29 Nov 2018 00:38 - 29 Nov 2018 00:42 #74285
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Fangs Cave
I'd say it takes 6-8 people, maybe even more depending on definitions and tolerances. I have only ever used it in groups of 2-3 people on different occasions, so that impression is based purely on sitting in the cave and speculating. I also don't recall ever talking to anyone that did sleep in there with a large group. It is a low-roofed cave and if you take up all possible sleeping areas you are going to be stepping and crawling over other people to move in and out of the cave. I have also seen some of the sleeping areas either wet, iced up, or snow-covered. It might not be to everyone's liking but personally its a favourite and I have good memories there.
Views from outside:
This shows the right side of the cave (looking in):
Looking into the central area behind the boulders that also lie in the middle:
Sleeping in that central area:
To the left:
This shows how snowed up even this sheltered cave can get - note the "central boulders" mentioned above, covered in snow:
Views from outside:
This shows the right side of the cave (looking in):
Looking into the central area behind the boulders that also lie in the middle:
Sleeping in that central area:
To the left:
This shows how snowed up even this sheltered cave can get - note the "central boulders" mentioned above, covered in snow:
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Please login or register to view the images attached to this post.
Last edit: 29 Nov 2018 00:42 by intrepid.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Serious tribe, Smurfatefrog, tonymarshall, Captain, GriffBaker
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
29 Nov 2018 06:59 #74287
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Fangs Cave
Perfect, thanks a lot Intrepid
Glad it's a fair big bigger than the 4 capacity listed elsewhere
Glad it's a fair big bigger than the 4 capacity listed elsewhere
The following user(s) said Thank You: Riaang
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Smurfatefrog
-
- Offline
- Moderator
-
Less
More
- Posts: 1066
- Thank you received: 1429
30 Nov 2018 11:23 #74293
by MarkT
Replied by MarkT on topic Fangs Cave
We found Fangs cave from above a few weeks ago, but didn't sleep in it. Condition looked good. I took the coordinates of the gully that you need to descend in order to reach the cave, since it's actually quite hard to find if you don't know which one to look for. The cave itself is not easily visible from above or below. I initially went down the wrong gully, then had to descent lower than the altitude of the cave, then come back up in the correct one, which is pretty tiring work.
goo.gl/maps/9g1TzANsCLQ2
Attached is a KML
goo.gl/maps/9g1TzANsCLQ2
Attached is a KML
Please login or register to view the file attached to this post.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
03 Dec 2018 10:05 #74314
by Riaang
Replied by Riaang on topic Fangs Cave
Hi Mark T,
From what you say it seems you can access it from the escarpment directly, i.e. from above? Say yes please
From what you say it seems you can access it from the escarpment directly, i.e. from above? Say yes please
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
03 Dec 2018 10:09 #74315
by MarkT
Replied by MarkT on topic Fangs Cave
Yup, accessible from above, just go down from that location I posted above. It's about 80m - 100m elevation drop from the top to the cave. The cave is quite hidden so you have to be right at the GPS marker (of the cave) before you can see it.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
