The Amphitheatre: hotspot for theft
27 Sep 2007 01:13 #67098
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
The Amphitheatre: hotspot for theft was created by intrepid
A large volume of hikers visit the top...
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Troubled for many years, The Amphitheatre is probably the No. 1 hot spot for petty theft on the escarpment. The perpetrators are very aware of the habits of hikers in this area and have over many years persistently been stealing whateverthey can get their hands on: hiking boots and entire backpacks being first prize.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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03 Mar 2008 11:44 #64
by mielie
Replied by mielie on topic The Amphitheatre: hotspot for theft
Good day
I am planning a trip 21-24 March 2008 from Witsieshoek Carpark to Mbundini
and back. Could you please fill me in on the current security situation on
the escarpment? When and where was the last serious attack on hikers?
I have actually never been bothered on the Berg but I have always taken
great precautions regarding storing gear inside the tents, etc. Problem is,
I skipped a year since I went from the Mnweni side last year and I don't
want to put my relatively inexperienced group (12 people) in any danger.
Some specific info on recent happenings would really be appreciated.
Regards
Emile Streicher
I am planning a trip 21-24 March 2008 from Witsieshoek Carpark to Mbundini
and back. Could you please fill me in on the current security situation on
the escarpment? When and where was the last serious attack on hikers?
I have actually never been bothered on the Berg but I have always taken
great precautions regarding storing gear inside the tents, etc. Problem is,
I skipped a year since I went from the Mnweni side last year and I don't
want to put my relatively inexperienced group (12 people) in any danger.
Some specific info on recent happenings would really be appreciated.
Regards
Emile Streicher
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03 Mar 2008 14:00 - 03 Mar 2008 14:01 #65
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic The Amphitheatre: hotspot for theft
Haven't heard anything on that stretch for quite some time, but then again not every incident is reported and news doesn't always get around. In any case it wouldn't have been anything major. The Mweni generally seems quite relaxed these days. Avoid camping anywhere along the Amphitheatre as the shepherds there are almost guaranteed to be prowling around at night looking for stuff to steal, especially around the Easter period. They don't attack hikers though.
Though it's the dagga harvest season there is a very low chance of coming across smugglers because there are no major smuggling routes on that stretch. You may find the odd one using Icidi or Mbundini Pass but its unlikely. It's basically shepherds that you need to watch out for and if you take the precautions you've been taking and don’t camp at the Amphitheatre then the chances of anything happening are probably as low as they can be on the escarpment.
Enjoy!
Though it's the dagga harvest season there is a very low chance of coming across smugglers because there are no major smuggling routes on that stretch. You may find the odd one using Icidi or Mbundini Pass but its unlikely. It's basically shepherds that you need to watch out for and if you take the precautions you've been taking and don’t camp at the Amphitheatre then the chances of anything happening are probably as low as they can be on the escarpment.
Enjoy!
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Last edit: 03 Mar 2008 14:01 by intrepid.
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18 Mar 2008 22:42 #69
by mielie
Replied by mielie on topic The Amphitheatre: hotspot for theft
Hi
Seems like politics and greed are influencing our local mountaineering as much as they are in the Himalayas.
I'm still continuing my planned hike on the Northern escarpment (from Witsieshoek Carpark to Stimela Ridge) on Easter weekend. I can't see the fights down in Natal actually being a threat up there, what do you think?
Spoke to the guards at the Witsies carpark today, apparently some thefts took place last weekend on the Amphi, so just a warning to my fellow visitors to stop, think and never leave your stuff alone, if they have a 50m headstart with your pack in their home stadium, you'll never catch them.
I think the weather will make for some good fun on the escarpment this weekend!
Happy mountaineering!
Emile
Seems like politics and greed are influencing our local mountaineering as much as they are in the Himalayas.
I'm still continuing my planned hike on the Northern escarpment (from Witsieshoek Carpark to Stimela Ridge) on Easter weekend. I can't see the fights down in Natal actually being a threat up there, what do you think?
Spoke to the guards at the Witsies carpark today, apparently some thefts took place last weekend on the Amphi, so just a warning to my fellow visitors to stop, think and never leave your stuff alone, if they have a 50m headstart with your pack in their home stadium, you'll never catch them.
I think the weather will make for some good fun on the escarpment this weekend!
Happy mountaineering!
Emile
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19 Mar 2008 10:22 #70
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic The Amphitheatre: hotspot for theft
Hi Emile,
yip, crazy how turbulent it is in the mountains right now...Nepal's situation has improved somewhat but it remains to be seen what happens after the April elections. Tibet, well...ahem...protests as I'm sure you've heard. And the Chinese are causing some waves around the climbing of Everest too...they have closed it for several days so that they can carry the Olympic torch up. They are trying to get Nepal to close their side too...and it's major climbing season right now!
Back to the Berg...aside from the Cathedral area I don't think anyone should cancel their plans! I'm off to Injasuthi tomorrow and don't anticipate any unusual problems. It seems the dirt road leading there hasn't had any robberies for more than 2 years now. There was a relatively minor incident last year where kids threw stones at a car when they were not given sweets. This was apparently addressed in the schools.
The recent theft at the Amphitheatre is not surprising...it's business as usual...and it's almost guaranteed to happen again this coming weekend. Anyone intending to camp there, please read this article on general precautions , and this one specific to the Amphitheatre . It will help make your experience a lot more trouble free.
Yip, looks like it might be a cold and misty weekend on the escarpment, but no excuse not to go!
Enjoy!
yip, crazy how turbulent it is in the mountains right now...Nepal's situation has improved somewhat but it remains to be seen what happens after the April elections. Tibet, well...ahem...protests as I'm sure you've heard. And the Chinese are causing some waves around the climbing of Everest too...they have closed it for several days so that they can carry the Olympic torch up. They are trying to get Nepal to close their side too...and it's major climbing season right now!
Back to the Berg...aside from the Cathedral area I don't think anyone should cancel their plans! I'm off to Injasuthi tomorrow and don't anticipate any unusual problems. It seems the dirt road leading there hasn't had any robberies for more than 2 years now. There was a relatively minor incident last year where kids threw stones at a car when they were not given sweets. This was apparently addressed in the schools.
The recent theft at the Amphitheatre is not surprising...it's business as usual...and it's almost guaranteed to happen again this coming weekend. Anyone intending to camp there, please read this article on general precautions , and this one specific to the Amphitheatre . It will help make your experience a lot more trouble free.
Yip, looks like it might be a cold and misty weekend on the escarpment, but no excuse not to go!
Enjoy!
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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10 Feb 2009 14:36 #292
by chewie
Replied by chewie on topic The Amphitheatre: hotspot for theft
Thanks for posting the material on the security situation in the Drakensberg. It's a really useful resource for assessing the risks and allowing one to make an informed decision on personal safety. Please don't stop.
I'm planning a camping trip to the Royal Natal National Park and I'd like to do the overnight hike up to Mont-Aux-Sources so I can take some early morning pics from the top. Can anyone shed some light on the following:
1. The official KZN Wildlife electronic brochure states: "From the top of the ladder it is about 1600m to a mountain hut manned by KZN Nature Conservation Service field rangers on weekends and public holidays". Is this bit of information accurate, and does this mean it's safe to camp overnight in the vicinity of the hut?
2. I read somewhere that instead of overnighting on the escarpment, some people have slept at the Sentinel car park (presumably in their car), and then hiked up to the top in the morning. Is this possible/safe?
I'm planning a camping trip to the Royal Natal National Park and I'd like to do the overnight hike up to Mont-Aux-Sources so I can take some early morning pics from the top. Can anyone shed some light on the following:
1. The official KZN Wildlife electronic brochure states: "From the top of the ladder it is about 1600m to a mountain hut manned by KZN Nature Conservation Service field rangers on weekends and public holidays". Is this bit of information accurate, and does this mean it's safe to camp overnight in the vicinity of the hut?
2. I read somewhere that instead of overnighting on the escarpment, some people have slept at the Sentinel car park (presumably in their car), and then hiked up to the top in the morning. Is this possible/safe?
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10 Feb 2009 21:37 #293
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic The Amphitheatre: hotspot for theft
Hi chewie,
1. Yes, this is a relatively recent initiative. Since the top of the Amphitheatre falls under KZN Wildlife they are trying to do something about the problem (even though Sentinel Car Park does not fall under them). It does help the situation. If you camp near the guards it would certainly be a lot safer. It is not a guarantee however that they will not attempt to steal something from your tent. In years gone by armed guards from QwaQwa were stationed in the hut full-time and they were not able to get the situation fully under control.
The Basothos typically come at about 3am and are very fast and wily. Usually by the time you hear them, they have grabbed something and have disappeared into the night. Bad weather is not a deterrent. They've had many years of practice and know their stuff.
I will try and get hold of a roster of when the guards are stationed there. If this is an important factor for you, then always check with KZN Wildlife before you go.
2. Yes, very possible. There is a shared dormitory with bunk beds at the car park that I've personally made use of many times. You can also pitch a tent at the car park.
Other alternatives for overnight spots are Sentinel Cave, Elands River Falls and the secluded areas near Namahadi Pass - these are somewhat safer but again, no guarantees. Note that the Basothos use Namahadi Pass as well as another unnamed pass between Namahadi and the Chain Ladder (which they seem to be making more use of lately). So keep away from the camping near the summits of these passes - go for the more secluded areas around them.
If there are no guards in the hut, you can also sleep in there. Take some cord with to secure the door from the inside and place a large boulder behind it too (the door can no longer be locked). Crows Nest Cave is perhaps a better alternative than sleeping in a tent because it is more difficult for them to grab stuff from the back of the cave than from a tent.
The Amphitheatre is a crazy situation, especially since it’s really obvious where the culprits live. Yet a lot can be done to prevent problems and I hope this information gets out there more. Everyone reading this please also have a look at this article .
Personally I don’t camp in the Tugela bowl anymore, but I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy it!
1. Yes, this is a relatively recent initiative. Since the top of the Amphitheatre falls under KZN Wildlife they are trying to do something about the problem (even though Sentinel Car Park does not fall under them). It does help the situation. If you camp near the guards it would certainly be a lot safer. It is not a guarantee however that they will not attempt to steal something from your tent. In years gone by armed guards from QwaQwa were stationed in the hut full-time and they were not able to get the situation fully under control.
The Basothos typically come at about 3am and are very fast and wily. Usually by the time you hear them, they have grabbed something and have disappeared into the night. Bad weather is not a deterrent. They've had many years of practice and know their stuff.
I will try and get hold of a roster of when the guards are stationed there. If this is an important factor for you, then always check with KZN Wildlife before you go.
2. Yes, very possible. There is a shared dormitory with bunk beds at the car park that I've personally made use of many times. You can also pitch a tent at the car park.
Other alternatives for overnight spots are Sentinel Cave, Elands River Falls and the secluded areas near Namahadi Pass - these are somewhat safer but again, no guarantees. Note that the Basothos use Namahadi Pass as well as another unnamed pass between Namahadi and the Chain Ladder (which they seem to be making more use of lately). So keep away from the camping near the summits of these passes - go for the more secluded areas around them.
If there are no guards in the hut, you can also sleep in there. Take some cord with to secure the door from the inside and place a large boulder behind it too (the door can no longer be locked). Crows Nest Cave is perhaps a better alternative than sleeping in a tent because it is more difficult for them to grab stuff from the back of the cave than from a tent.
The Amphitheatre is a crazy situation, especially since it’s really obvious where the culprits live. Yet a lot can be done to prevent problems and I hope this information gets out there more. Everyone reading this please also have a look at this article .
Personally I don’t camp in the Tugela bowl anymore, but I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy it!
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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11 Feb 2009 13:52 #297
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic The Amphitheatre: hotspot for theft
I have received some clarification about the guards: they are not stationed there every weekend. Only on certain holidays and long weekends such as Easter are they up there. This is typically when the Basothos gleefully await lots of campers, so it is recommended to camp near the guards at those times.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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11 Feb 2009 19:22 #302
by domsmooth
Replied by domsmooth on topic The Amphitheatre: hotspot for theft
I will also try and find out further information for you Chewie, with my contacts at EKZNW.
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11 Feb 2009 19:48 #303
by chewie
Replied by chewie on topic The Amphitheatre: hotspot for theft
Thanks intrepid and domsmooth - the feedback is much appreciated.
Given that I'm a relative novice when it comes to the Drakensberg, I think sleeping over at the Sentinal car park is going to be the safest option for now.
Given that I'm a relative novice when it comes to the Drakensberg, I think sleeping over at the Sentinal car park is going to be the safest option for now.
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