RNNP mapping questions: asking for assistance
22 Oct 2012 13:00 #55489
by thomas
RNNP mapping questions: asking for assistance was created by thomas
I am trying to resolve 2 mapping discrepancies in the Mont-aux-Sources area and would appreciate your contributions using your map sources. I do not have a scanner so I cannot show you the issue at hand but will describe it. You may respond with details in words and/or a scanned map example.
The issue revolves around 3 sets of maps I have for Royal Natal National Park (RNNP): Slingsby’s (1979), Geomaps (first edition 1997), and the RSA topographical 1:50 000 called “Mont-aux-Sources 2828DD” dated 1979. There are 2 discrepancies which I will describe below for a part of the park that may be ON TOP OF THE ESCARPMENT. I want to know the most up to date map sources for determining if the discrepancies are still present or have been amended/corrected. This is why I am asking the forum to consult your most current map sources (if mine are outdated). I am not in the country to source these myself.
NB:
• I believe only one Slingsby map series was produced in 1979 so I would have the most current (?)
• Were other editions of the Geomaps produced after 1997?
• I am certain there are newer maps for the RSA topographical, probably around 2000-2004 years.
On we go.
i. Please describe what you see (and scan would be even better) on the map choices above, if you own them and they are more current than mine, for the boundaries of RNNP that may top the Escarpment.
ii. Furthermore, should you have another type of map, say a new official RNNP map, please describe or scan it for scrutiny.
The Slingsby and Geomaps I possess show the eastern boundary of RNNP on top of the Escarpment (as a green band) coming up from the Inner Tower to Mt. Amery, turning 90˚ west above Ribbon Falls following the international border with Lesotho all the way to Mont-aux-Sources (3282.2), then down the ridge to Crow’s Nest Cave, turning obliquely towards the Chain Ladder – crossing the Tugela River in the process. The park boundary then goes down the Free State-Natal border (Sentinel, Witzeishoek, etc.). (One should note that this boundary is also reflected in Bristow’s Drakensberg Walks 1988, pg 70.)
The RSA topographical shows no RNNP boundary up beyond the Escarpment edge, it ends along the Amphitheatre following its contour from Inner Tower to Beacon Buttress/Sentinel. (Likewise, this particular boundary appears in Sycholt’s A Guide to the Drakensberg 2002, pg 40; in Hone’s Encounters with the Dragon 2007, pg 277; on the Map of Lesotho topographical 1994 1:250 000.)
Interestingly, I have a 1979 edition Royal Natal National Park/Mont-aux-Sources topo map 1:20 000 by Blignaut which states: “The eastern and southern boundaries of the Park have not been shown as they are subject to amendment” (?) As such the map contains NO eastern boundary below the park entrance and no southern park boundary beyond the top of Tugela Falls. Does the park boundary go up to Mont-aux-Sources, does it go along the edge, how far does it extend into Mnweni past Mt. Amery, the map does not reveal in 1979 (but the Slingsby and RSA Topo of 1979 are definitive each with its different park boundary complete)? Who can tell?
Thank you for sharing your results.
The issue revolves around 3 sets of maps I have for Royal Natal National Park (RNNP): Slingsby’s (1979), Geomaps (first edition 1997), and the RSA topographical 1:50 000 called “Mont-aux-Sources 2828DD” dated 1979. There are 2 discrepancies which I will describe below for a part of the park that may be ON TOP OF THE ESCARPMENT. I want to know the most up to date map sources for determining if the discrepancies are still present or have been amended/corrected. This is why I am asking the forum to consult your most current map sources (if mine are outdated). I am not in the country to source these myself.
NB:
• I believe only one Slingsby map series was produced in 1979 so I would have the most current (?)
• Were other editions of the Geomaps produced after 1997?
• I am certain there are newer maps for the RSA topographical, probably around 2000-2004 years.
On we go.
i. Please describe what you see (and scan would be even better) on the map choices above, if you own them and they are more current than mine, for the boundaries of RNNP that may top the Escarpment.
ii. Furthermore, should you have another type of map, say a new official RNNP map, please describe or scan it for scrutiny.
The Slingsby and Geomaps I possess show the eastern boundary of RNNP on top of the Escarpment (as a green band) coming up from the Inner Tower to Mt. Amery, turning 90˚ west above Ribbon Falls following the international border with Lesotho all the way to Mont-aux-Sources (3282.2), then down the ridge to Crow’s Nest Cave, turning obliquely towards the Chain Ladder – crossing the Tugela River in the process. The park boundary then goes down the Free State-Natal border (Sentinel, Witzeishoek, etc.). (One should note that this boundary is also reflected in Bristow’s Drakensberg Walks 1988, pg 70.)
The RSA topographical shows no RNNP boundary up beyond the Escarpment edge, it ends along the Amphitheatre following its contour from Inner Tower to Beacon Buttress/Sentinel. (Likewise, this particular boundary appears in Sycholt’s A Guide to the Drakensberg 2002, pg 40; in Hone’s Encounters with the Dragon 2007, pg 277; on the Map of Lesotho topographical 1994 1:250 000.)
Interestingly, I have a 1979 edition Royal Natal National Park/Mont-aux-Sources topo map 1:20 000 by Blignaut which states: “The eastern and southern boundaries of the Park have not been shown as they are subject to amendment” (?) As such the map contains NO eastern boundary below the park entrance and no southern park boundary beyond the top of Tugela Falls. Does the park boundary go up to Mont-aux-Sources, does it go along the edge, how far does it extend into Mnweni past Mt. Amery, the map does not reveal in 1979 (but the Slingsby and RSA Topo of 1979 are definitive each with its different park boundary complete)? Who can tell?
Thank you for sharing your results.
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