Water Watch 2015

Just done the following route from 26 May 15 - 29 May 15
- Monks cowl to Keith bush camp: Water supply good at most streams and rivers. Stream next to Keiths bush camp has a small trickle of water in it (not going to flow for much longer unless there is snow)
- Keith bush camp, up grays pass, camp near vultures retreat: Stream at the top of grays pass is flowing strong.
- Vultures retreat along escarpment to Leslies pass: water supply good in all the rivers. Rivers are flowing nicely.
- Leslies pass - Injasuthi camp: Water supply good in all the rivers at the bottom of Leslies pass to Injasuthi camp.

GrahamV wrote: - Keith bush camp, up grays pass, camp near vultures retreat: Stream at the top of grays pass is flowing strong.

Can anyone confirm if the stream at the top of Grays Pass, on the escarpment, is still flowing strong at the moment?

What is the like likelihood of water at the first stream after Blind Man's corner if one turns right? And at BMC campsite? End of July
Thanks

Dillon wrote:

GrahamV wrote: - Keith bush camp, up grays pass, camp near vultures retreat: Stream at the top of grays pass is flowing strong.

Can anyone confirm if the stream at the top of Grays Pass, on the escarpment, is still flowing strong at the moment?

Anyone?

I haven't been in that valley for a while, but it was flowing strong in the middle of winter when I was up there a few years back - I don't think it will be an issue. The one to worry about is the river below the pass.

Agree with ghaz, the Nkosazana River near the top of Grays Pass has water throughout the year.

We didn't go up Grays, but went almost to Keith Bush Camp, on the VE Pine Tree trip two weekends ago, and all of the streams in the area had more water than expected.

Hi All,

We're planning on hiking from MCC up Ifidi pass, then South around the Mnwenbi cutback and then down Mnweni pass this weekend. Anyone been on this route recently? Can anyone advise on the water availability for this trip?

Last year this time, we didn't find any water between Ifidi and Mbundini. After that only in the river inland from the top of Fangs Pass. Haven't been there recently though, but I would play it safe and carry a full day's extra water up the pass.

That would mean hiking up Ifidi (in a day) with 2 days water in your bag. I stand back and watch in respect.

Last year in that long weekend at the end of September, Intrepid and I were in the Ifidi area. The rivers all over were very dry but we did find enough water to drink. I am sure you will also find some. If you are worried, take various tablets and enough fuel to boil it all.

Ditch bags at top of pass and split group so the eager beavers can go for a walk - follow obvious river downstream until you find water. If none soon, hang a left at the first river coming in from your left looking into Lesotho, maybe 400m away from escarpment - we found water quite far up this and not too far from the caves.

The next day, you might well have to walk beyond Fangs to get water, but I expect you would find some in the valley heading up to Stimela Peak.