Grand Traverse Permits

I think we all like what EKZN are doing, and even without the rescue fund I guess we would pay it gladly, even if it only went to conservation and supporting the staff.

I'm not sure how reliable the Lesotho mounted police or escarpment shepherds would be in a rescue!

That reminds me of a cool story. Back in the 80's Derie van Eeden and Petrus Nel ran the GT in a couple of days (before it became famous with Gavin Raubenheimer). They took only sleeping bags and a bivy sheet, no warm clothes. On one attempt, Derie hurt his knee, and it was locked/frozen. The Basothos caught a pony for them, and using grass as a bridle he rode it out to Sani pass side saddle. But I wouldn't have that as plan B

I'm trying to find out about contributing to MSAR. Gavin Raubenheimer runs MSAR for KZN. Info here

As far as I know the MSAR GP account is administrated through the MCSA JHB Section. They serve Gauteng, North-West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, and Northern KZN sometimes. So you can speak to Uschi Magg about the banking details, but it might be best to speak to the rescue convenor (currently Dean van der Merwe) to find out what their specific needs are at the moment. Info here .

I was at Sentinel Car Park on the weekend. Traverse permits now cost R125pp. Day permits R50pp (over and above the toll fee R30pp, I think). They don't want day hikers to sign the rescue register, but there is another form where you fill in your cellphone number and sign in and out. We never signed out, and they didn't call us to check. Well over 100 people went up on Saturday.

From Gavin Raubenheimer:

We would always welcome a donation to Mountain Rescue. I have sent the banking details below. Please ask that anyone who does donate put their names and what it is for on the bank slip.
Moutain Club of South Africa
Kwa Zulu-Natal Section
Standards bank
Musgrave Rd Durban
code 042626
acc 0512 07 141

Hi

Me and my friends plan to do a GT starting from Sentinel Park to Bushmans Nek. Is it possible to get the necessary permits at Sentinel Park? If so does anyone know when the office there opens in the morning? Do we need to arrange permits from anywhere else for the GT?

I have red in some posts that people starting from Sentinel Park have to take a detour the day before to Royal Natal Park Office on the other side of the Royal Natal Park to get their permits, while some indicate that they got there permits at Sentinel Park.

I would be very greatful for answers!
/Erik

Erik: What we did on our last GT was to pay KZN Wildlife...... whether at RNNP or any other area for the GT trip as you walk along their border and come out at Bushmans Nek (also their area) I paid at Cobham before the GT as they were the closest to me and on route to deliver our re-supplies to Sani Top. The KZN Wildlife fee covers mountain rescue but the payment to Sentinal Car Park does not! Most hikers do not do this, but to me this was peace of mind in case of any emergencies or problems on route.

I guess if you can't get to an EKZN office, you could always book and pay for Bannerman Hut online for the period of the GT. It just means that no one else will be able to book the hut for that period, which isn't great. I used this approach to pay for permits when I did that trip up the Injisuthi Buttresses via Bannerman Pass (admittedly we did use Bannerman Hut on the first night, and I only booked this at 11PM 3 days before, immediately before the online booking system closed).

Hi All. Been a while since anything was posted on this topic, so wondering if there is any developments or new knowledge I should be aware of.

Planning a DGT for Sept/Oct (doing it very slow, over two weeks with friends doing a refuel at Giants Castle) and busy finalizing budget.

What I have so far:

R200 at Sentinel for the "one way" fee. 
Most of the EKZN areas charge either R70 pppn or R35pppn for additional people. I'll need to work out exactly how many nights we are in each area.

What is the recommendation in this regard? pay EKZN directly before hand, make a direct donation to MCSA-KZN,  Just pay the fee at Sentinel and be done with it, Drive round to RNNP and pay there?