The upcoming hikes thread

Stijn wrote: Ghaz, have you considered an Mnweni hike? You've just about flattened the Southern Berg and have yet to experience one of the awesome passes in the Mnweni area.

Something like up Mnweni Pass and down Fangs Pass - I doubt you will be disappointed...

Thanks for the idea. Indeed Mnweni is on my to-do list, and I hear the passes are the best part of the area. Top on my pass to-do list for the area would be Ntonjelana, Pins and Rockeries. In the long term I definitely also want to do Ifidi, Icidi, Manxome (and not just as an excuse to quote “he left it dead and with its head he went galumphing back”).

Surprisingly Mnweni is coming joint 3rd on my most khulus bagged list - not to mention having the number 1 spot on my all-time best khulus list at the moment (Icidi Crown)...

@Ghaz - interesting choice of passes... 2 of the easiest and then one of the most challenging in the area! Any particular reason why those 3 (just interested)? IMO Mnweni Pass is often underrated - it blew me away the first time I did it. The view of the Pinnacles towering over you as you ascend is quite unique in the Berg.

Rockeries is spectacular too if you can ignore the horrible state of the path(s).

And I did Ntonjelana in thick mist so wouldn't really be able to comment on the view..

The really tough one would be Pins, right?

Pins is on the list because it goes straight past the Mnweni Pinnacles. Ntonjelana and Rockeries could be paired to do some heavy khulu bagging - including one of my planned future rock climbs, North Saddle. Ntonjelana should have a great view over the Cathedral Range as well, a good bonus. Rockeries would have great views of Rockeries and Mponjwane.

I doubt that Mnweni Pass will escape my bagged list for too long, and probably in the same way that Organ Pipes Pass just kind of ended up happening for me, it will probably do the same.

My Berg goals still remains as 45 passes, 110 khulus (at least 10 of which require climbing), every khulu at Bushman's Nek (1 left), Garden Castle (11 left), Cobham (both remaining) and Giant's Castle (9 remaining), every khulu over 3300m (20 remaining) and every pass at Giants Castle, Garden Castle and Cobham. I say I only plan to do 45 Berg passes, but being on 19 already with 90 remaining khulus, and 16 Garden Castle Passes still outstanding as well as 5 definite outstanding Giant's Castle Passes remaining and 4 gullies that may contain passes outstanding, that number will be pushed up to 60 passes at some point - then probably to 80. It was originally 30...

Well just to give you some idea of what the Rockeires looks like from on top of the Mponjwane cave (you can just see the entrance to the cave in the very bottom right of this shot I took last year). I hope the attachment works.


It was my first time in the Mnweni area. Went up Mnweni and down Rockeries. I agree with Stijn - going up Mnweni was breath taking! That view just after you turn left from the river and start the slog up the pass and come to a little crest is simply the most mind blowing scenery I have seen so far. Pass and pinnacles up to the left, valley and river down to your right. When you see this hopefully you will thank us

Well, lets see. The Dragon has given me many incredible views. Too many to share them all, but on a quick overview I'd put the following as more or less my top 8 (although my top views list changes regularly):

1. Icidi Crown - unmatched, unchallenged, a spot I hope to see some day in summer when all is green and hopefully the weather is clear:


2. Tseketseke Peak:


3. Bannerman Face from Gypaetus Pass:


4. Mashai Peak:


5. The view from Bannerman Face peak:


6. The view from Redi (too bad we had a hazy day that day):


7. The view from the camp spot above Sandleni Pass (not just for this angle, but partially for the view back on Rhino, Verkyker etc):


8. The area around the Hodgeson's Peaks:

So I don't seem to have a group for easter weekend. So if anyone is keen to team up for a hike or is short of members on their team, feel free to inbox me

This thread is starting to look like a monologue. Maybe Buyid needs to do some of the talking

Any way - Mr "Cathkin is above my current ability and I never plan to do Monk's Cowl" has just signed up for the MCSA easter weekend 4 dayer... Told the guy that I only plan on climbing Cathkin, and maybe I'll give Monk's a go if I look at the crux pitch and it looks within my ability/confidence. One way or another I should get great photos...

Anyone else joining on this one?

Myself and a mate are keen to do a four day hike from Sentinel Car Park to Mweni Needles area...you got some tips? I did the trip ages ago when I was still at school but I don't remember too much. We're amateur hikers and wil be plodding on to get some experience.

Maybe you can suggest a good map/route guide so that I know where the heck I'm going

Anyone taking Friday of???

Were going to do up Ships Prow and down Grays pass this coming weekend starting Thursday,can't wait!!!