Giant's Castle security

Good evening.
We'll be down in Giant's Castle 6-9th Aug 2022, at this point considering options, eg up Langies or Giants.
Our first visit to GC, 2pax.

So....Security:
Seems things have been okay for a few years, bar the attack on Christinejvr-them. Would it true to guess most of the shepherds will have scooted away at this time of year?
 

Carl,

When we were there 3 weeks ago, there were zero shepherds around.
We went up Bannermans pass on Friday and slept in Bannermans cave, which has plenty of space for 2 people. We then went down to the valley near the top of Langies, had breakfast and then up and over Durnford ridge. This area has plenty of shephard shelters but again, no animals an no shephards.

That being said, this is a fairly high traffic area so there is always a chance of bumping into people here.
If you tent, don't camp too near passheads or near the trails leading to and from passheads. Caves tend to solve these problems, and there are a number in the area. We normally sleep in the main caves which again has lots of space, but the floors are a bit wet (or sometimes full of snow and/or ice) so bring some sort of waterproof groundcover.

Enjoy GC!!!

I was in the GC area over the past weekend. There was a large flock of sheep close to Bannerman's pass and again just north of Giant's Saddle. Here two shepherds approached me with the usual request for sweets and cigarettes. I was alone but encountered no trouble at all. 
We were not attacked by shepherds last year, but rather smugglers/ stock thefts. Don't camp at the top of a pass and you should be fine. Touch wood.

Did the Langalibalele /Giants loop between the 5th & 8th Aug 22.
Bumped four herders in the valley between the top of Langies & the top of Mt Durnford ridge. 
Bumped one herder in the next valley below Carabineer Point. 

The usual precautions of setting up camp out of sight & later in the day were followed and all was good. 

Being my first interaction with herders and after hearing all the stories, I must say the experience was somewhat underwhelming. Let’s hope it stays that way. 
 

Willsy wrote:

Did the Langalibalele /Giants loop between the 5th & 8th Aug 22.


 

Did we bump into you coming down Giant's Ridge on the 8th, 4km from camp?

Carl, indeed you did! Nice to join the dots. 
Hope you had a good hike?

Yes Willsy, we really did.
Extraordinary beauty there.
Don't know what I'm doing here 

Even got caught in that storm, which I always enjoy. Though clever-clogs over here forgot his rainjacket, managed fine though, wasn't really wet...weird kind of snow-hale, snale? halow? shnowl?

Carl Gebhard wrote:

Yes Willsy, we really did.
Extraordinary beauty there.
Don't know what I'm doing here 

This image is hidden for guests.

Even got caught in that storm, which I always enjoy. Though clever-clogs over here forgot his rainjacket, managed fine though, wasn't really wet...weird kind of snow-hale, snale? halow? shnowl?

Possibly this Carl? I've only seen it once, on top of Walkers' Peak with Smurfatefrog and Speckwurst. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graupel
 

Graupel!
That pretty much looks like it. Went onto Google images with comparisons to sleet and hail.
One significant feature was it exploded when it hit me, as if it's structure was brittle, weak. And it melted instantaneously on my tongue.

Experienced below Giants Castle along the contour path.
Thanks Papa Dragon