The upcoming hikes thread

Spykid wrote: Three guys in total. Up with the chains @ sentinel and will attempt to do the 3 caves Ifidi, Fangs and Mponjane. From there I will come down via the Ntonjelana Pass to the cultural centre where i will organise a lift to Bergville.

Just to clarify - are you leaving from RNNP or Sentinel carpark - RNNP to Ifidi cave is practically impossible to do in a day, while Sentinel carpark to Ifidi cave is not hard at all (I think its about 14km).

Mponjwane Cave to MCC via Ntonjelana Pass sounds monstrous though - I haven't done that route, but Mponjwane cave to Ntonjelana Pass is 2 big ridges already - to follow that up with a pass and walkout makes for one long day indeed!

Spykid wrote: Then after a few days camping @ Didima we plan to go up Organ pipes early to sleep in Rolands Cave. And leave the next day early down via Tseke Tseke pass?

Organ Pipes Pass to Rolands Cave isn't bad in a day - especially if you get a lift up Mike's Pass.

The 2nd day sounds tough though, I take it you'll spend the night at Tseketseke Hut before heading back to the carpark - Roland's cave down Tseketseke Pass and back to the carpark in a day is technically possible, but is one hang of a long day and really not advisable.

Just with Tseke Pass, remember that the big obvious gully is not the pass - there is a peak just south of the massive gully (called Tseketseke Peak - one of the best views you will ever get from an escarpment peak, well worth the extra bit of effort), and the real pass is by the cairn above the smaller gully. If you stand at the top of the pass and the pyramid and the column are not on your left, you are in the wrong place!

Hello Spykid - that route of yours through the Mnweni takes in the best of the high Berg for sure. I've done this trip through the Mnweni countless times. My biggest mistake, and one that took years and years to iron out, was to race. If you race and take a route inland of the escarpment, you'll miss the best the berg has to offer. The most memorable times I've had along that stretch of the escarpment was when we dumped our bags in Pinns cave and went off with a camera and a water bottle for a few hours near the cut-back at Fangs. I remember little from the first 5 trips when we raced.

One thing about December, walk early - 4:30 start if you can. The mist will be on you near noon. And some days, when the highs ridge through, will be misty from the start. So build in a buffer.

@ Ghaz. Thank you. I will be leaving from the carpark. Thanks for the advice on the distance between Mponjane and Ntonyelana. I might have to look into another cave or pass and will appreciate any suggestions. Regarding Rolands I think I will come down the same route via the Organ Pipes again, thank you for that one also.

@ Mnt_tiska. I plan to start early to avoid mist and lightning, and yes I am sure that it is beautiful area.

Thanx guys

@spykid

Check this link out fro a trip i did in 2012

www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/8-drakensberg-hiking/55169-northern-berg-photo-trip-august-2012.html?limitstart=0

ASL wrote:

joshilewis wrote: Guys, would anyone be interested in a 3-4 wilderness 'berg trip in October? I'm trying to organise with a few friends.

3-4 day or on 3-4 October

I'm pretty keen on this and will check with local government and get back to you...

Just a thought. For this number of day's it might be worth going to Mweni area?

@ASL, I'm open to any ideas. Mweni sounds great, any particular route you would recommend? Would be great to hike with you!

@ Serious Tribe
Excellent Karl. Thanx. James

Enjoy!

That reminds me that my nice long trip to Witsieshoek is less than 2 weeks away anyone keen to join is still welcome to contact me. We are doing 3 day trips - day 1 up Sentinel Standard Route, day 2 walking south to Ifidi and back again, day 3 walking north to Namahadi and back again. All day trips, so packs will be light.

A friend of mine was at Garden Castle - he didn't go hiking because of the wind.

I'm doing Giant's Castle this weekend, so I hope the wind isn't bad this weekend. I was going to do Sentinel but I couldn't get a team together.