Avoiding problems

Hello,

I'm considering a solo trip along the Drakensberg traverse (180km) over 6 to 7 days. I do solo trips in the US and am comfortable dealing with weather, terrain, etc. but I'm not sure I'm up for camping alone with muggers in the vicinity. Anybody's thoughts? I'm thinking of doing the trip in Dec. or January.

aburda wrote: Hello,

I'm considering a solo trip along the Drakensberg traverse (180km) over 6 to 7 days. I do solo trips in the US and am comfortable dealing with weather, terrain, etc. but I'm not sure I'm up for camping alone with muggers in the vicinity. Anybody's thoughts? I'm thinking of doing the trip in Dec. or January.

Hi and welcome to the forum

Interesting choice of topic to attach this question to, I imagine that Intrepid will move your post and all replies to a different thread.

When you say a Drakensberg traverse, do you mean a full grand traverse (around 230km) or are you planning on cutting 50km off the trip? I know people often used to go down Sani Pass to avoid the difficult ridges of the South, or maybe an escarpment edge North of South section traverse?

Quite honestly, while security is a risk (and don't underestimate it, especially in the hot spots like northern Lotheni/Southern Giant's Castle), if you haven't hiked in the Berg before, navigation on a hike like this is a bigger issue - even if you do have a GPS. To do Sentinel to Bushman's Nek you need to navigate over 28/30 ridges (depending on whether you consider Redi/Litseketseke and Champagne/Yodeler's to be 1 or 2 ridges), some are easy and logical, others are best done via really strange detours far into Lesotho (e.g. Thabana Ntlenyana/Mohlesi ridge).

Also, if hiking alone, it will be difficult to call for help if something goes wrong when you don't have phone signal (which is 98% of the time).

Don't underestimate the Berg - its called the "Dragon" for a reason.

Hi

Also watch out for the shepherds dogs during the day especially between Giants and Sani Top and around the Mweni Area. I now walk with a mini shambok. (Kind of like a plastic whip and can be bought at traffic lights or as we say in RSA - Robots)

Sounds like you are fairly experienced but planing is essential try and get some of the easier passes as walk out routes from this forum, but go for it and all the best. We can all help with any advice that you may need.

Selous

Hi

I also forgot to mention what I have done in the past especially if you are worried of being mugged/attacked at night in your tent especially if you are aware of shepherds in the vicinity is have dinner just before sunset, then pack up and walk another couple of Km's in the dark and the last half an hour or so try and walk with no light on and pitch tent. This does take a bit of planning, good navigation and some prior knowledge of where to get of the main Basotho trails on the high berg.

Regards
Selous

Hi All

Just been reading the whole thread on dagga smugglers. Thought that I would relate an interesting story that happened a few years back around 2005.

I did a Traverse starting at Golden Gate National Park and after a few days we made it to Mponjwane Cave between Mweni Pass and Rockeries Pass. My one hiking companion walked down Rockeries and the following day another mate was going to come up and join me for the next section to Giants Pass.

The following day at around 10am I left Mponjwane Cave and made my way to the right of Rockeries Pass and lazed around looking down the pass. It was a pleasant morning with no wind and an ideal temperature. I dozed and snoozed a little. At around 12 in the afternoon I could make out my mate coming up with a guide Khayafas from the Mweni Guide Centre. I snoozed a bit more and then was jolted from my sleep by numerous loud bursts of Automatic Gun Fire. I literally Cr#&$ed myself. Excuse the language.

I crawled slowly back to where I could see the head of the pass and saw the biggest dagga train that I had ever seen in the berg. It was probably about 30 plus Donkeys. Confirmed latter by by mate to me about 36 Donkeys strong Again a chap let a burst of gun fire off and I Cr#@$ed myself again as I could now see that it was an automatic rifle that he was holding. At my distance I could not make out what type it was.

I was now very worried about my mate and the Mweni Guide. Anyway to cut a long story short these two groups passed each other with a few pleasantries being said. Both of them heard the various volley of shots down in the valley. My mate said if he was by himself he would have bolted back to the Mweni Centre like a jack rabbit. Khayafas was not worried at all and said it was smugglers warning any potential opportunistic robbers that they were armed and were prepared to fight.

I have seen many dagga donkey trains and the smugglers and never had a problem with any of them. I kind of enjoy the encounters although they are brief.

All the best
Selous