Lesotho peaks over 3400m
21 May 2012 20:20 #53976
by ghaznavid
Lesotho peaks over 3400m was created by ghaznavid
While we are on this topic, the list of the 18 points in Lesotho over 3400m includes 2 Tsepengs and 2 Lequooas, I only see 1 on the map - the highest Tsepeng. Do you have photos of these by any chance, the 2 possible peaks I spotted on the GT were these:
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22 May 2012 05:23 - 22 May 2012 05:24 #53978
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Re: Lesotho peaks over 3400m
I branched this message from the Tsepeng Pass thread.
Will have to sift through my photos but I probably don't have photos of those peaks since they lie much deeper in. I will update that list of 18 points too, since I discovered some more official names on Lesotho's survey maps.
Will have to sift through my photos but I probably don't have photos of those peaks since they lie much deeper in. I will update that list of 18 points too, since I discovered some more official names on Lesotho's survey maps.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Last edit: 22 May 2012 05:24 by intrepid.
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22 May 2012 07:01 #53980
by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Re: Lesotho peaks over 3400m
I hope to do all 18 (hopefully there aren't more than that - 100 khulus is proving to be hard enough
), 2 down so far, lots to go. So are the other peaks quite far in from the escarpment edge?

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22 May 2012 09:32 #53987
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Re: Lesotho peaks over 3400m
Well the Leqooa variations are about 8km in, so its not far to walk, but I don't think I've got photos of them.
Luckily with Lesotho's highest peaks they are localised in 3 different areas - not as spread out as SA's highest peaks. So less trips theoretically.
Luckily with Lesotho's highest peaks they are localised in 3 different areas - not as spread out as SA's highest peaks. So less trips theoretically.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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22 May 2012 09:53 #53990
by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Re: Lesotho peaks over 3400m
Suddenly my plans for my long hike later this year get even longer (well invariably the hike won't happen as I will not get a big enough group together) . Although I can always come back to the Lesotho peaks in the area, just bag Tsepeng for a start. My plans include every pass at Garden Castle, and with Isicutula and Mashai already having ticks next to them, not to mention Tsepeng (paired with either Rhino Pass or Verkyker Pass) hopefully getting done later this year, I would still have 2 Mzimude Passes as well as Walker's Pass, Bollard Pass and Wilson's Pass, so it is still doable without repeating routes I have already done...
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22 May 2012 13:24 #54001
by thomas
Replied by thomas on topic Re: Lesotho peaks over 3400m
Another of my favorite topics:
In 1999 I published the Highest Summits of southern Africa in the JMCSA. Subsequently it was a delight to find Intrepid’s similar effort on the Roof of the Maluti-Drakensberg list years later, equally as definitive as mine but each is mildly inconsistent with the other. We have vowed to rectify this together on an indeterminate but forthcoming “High Summits Conference” to produce a final Compendium on this topic. It is not as easy as it sounds to indicate the highest, as we both recognize. We have different names for the same peaks, being somewhat at the mercy of the maps we are using. Likewise, we have christened “unnamed” peaks differently. Finally our criteria might vary a bit leading to a list that reflects personal bias. It is interesting to note that both efforts were written totally independent of each other many years apart yet contain virtually the same criteria for identifying the Top Summits. Besides being verifiable, I would expect such a list to also be intelligent, logical, accurate and defensible. I am ready for Intrepid to scrutinize my list given his lengthy miles of experience in the Berg and his inviolate reputation on VE, likewise to informed Forum members.
In the meantime you can mull over below and consider what might fit your criteria, and if I may, I shall add to your comments about the high peaks.
If one considers summits, in part, as distinctive heights at least 1 kilometre apart then altogether there are in the Drakensberg:
• 101 points 3300m or over (64 are between 3300m – 3349m);
• 38 are 3350m or over (21 are between 3350m – 3399m);
• 17 are 3400m or over (9 are 3400m – 3449m);
• 8 are 3450m or over.
My 17 highest points over 3400m are exclusively inside Lesotho except for 2 peaks which share a common border with South Africa (that “Mafadi” and Njasuti). “Mafadi” is the furthest north of the top 20. Qhaliseng at 3420m is the furthest west (there is no RSA map for this section, called Sehonghong on Lesotho topos). ‘Mankoaneng at 3416m is the furthest south of the top 20 (also no RSA map here, called Matabeng on Lesotho topos). I also have 3 peaks I call “bubbling” under the 3400m mark: Lithotobolong SW (named by Wimber) at 3395m; Sequqo at 3394m at 7kmESE of Kotisephola Pass, the most isolated of the top 20; and Thaba Chitja at 3390m at 8km NNW of Giant’s Castle, the furthest east of the top 20.
I am ready for new data and new findings that would settle this high peak enigma once and for all (if that is possible).
In 1999 I published the Highest Summits of southern Africa in the JMCSA. Subsequently it was a delight to find Intrepid’s similar effort on the Roof of the Maluti-Drakensberg list years later, equally as definitive as mine but each is mildly inconsistent with the other. We have vowed to rectify this together on an indeterminate but forthcoming “High Summits Conference” to produce a final Compendium on this topic. It is not as easy as it sounds to indicate the highest, as we both recognize. We have different names for the same peaks, being somewhat at the mercy of the maps we are using. Likewise, we have christened “unnamed” peaks differently. Finally our criteria might vary a bit leading to a list that reflects personal bias. It is interesting to note that both efforts were written totally independent of each other many years apart yet contain virtually the same criteria for identifying the Top Summits. Besides being verifiable, I would expect such a list to also be intelligent, logical, accurate and defensible. I am ready for Intrepid to scrutinize my list given his lengthy miles of experience in the Berg and his inviolate reputation on VE, likewise to informed Forum members.
In the meantime you can mull over below and consider what might fit your criteria, and if I may, I shall add to your comments about the high peaks.
If one considers summits, in part, as distinctive heights at least 1 kilometre apart then altogether there are in the Drakensberg:
• 101 points 3300m or over (64 are between 3300m – 3349m);
• 38 are 3350m or over (21 are between 3350m – 3399m);
• 17 are 3400m or over (9 are 3400m – 3449m);
• 8 are 3450m or over.
My 17 highest points over 3400m are exclusively inside Lesotho except for 2 peaks which share a common border with South Africa (that “Mafadi” and Njasuti). “Mafadi” is the furthest north of the top 20. Qhaliseng at 3420m is the furthest west (there is no RSA map for this section, called Sehonghong on Lesotho topos). ‘Mankoaneng at 3416m is the furthest south of the top 20 (also no RSA map here, called Matabeng on Lesotho topos). I also have 3 peaks I call “bubbling” under the 3400m mark: Lithotobolong SW (named by Wimber) at 3395m; Sequqo at 3394m at 7kmESE of Kotisephola Pass, the most isolated of the top 20; and Thaba Chitja at 3390m at 8km NNW of Giant’s Castle, the furthest east of the top 20.
I am ready for new data and new findings that would settle this high peak enigma once and for all (if that is possible).

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23 May 2012 05:44 - 23 May 2012 05:45 #54011
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Re: Lesotho peaks over 3400m
@thomas: since interest in these peaks has risen to the critical mass of 3 people, we should definitely get that list sorted. 
When I wrote Roof of the Maloti-Drakensberg I wasn't aware of your own research on the topic. I also got more survey maps since then and should do some updates.
When it comes to peak names my own are intentionally bland, and should be seen more as place-holders. The naming of peaks such as these seems weighty and deserving more of consultation and research.
I have yet to find any other reference or attempt to list these peaks, so this topic is quite unique.

When I wrote Roof of the Maloti-Drakensberg I wasn't aware of your own research on the topic. I also got more survey maps since then and should do some updates.
When it comes to peak names my own are intentionally bland, and should be seen more as place-holders. The naming of peaks such as these seems weighty and deserving more of consultation and research.
I have yet to find any other reference or attempt to list these peaks, so this topic is quite unique.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Last edit: 23 May 2012 05:45 by intrepid.
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