The upcoming hikes thread
16 Sep 2013 13:11 #58494
by jamcligeo
Replied by jamcligeo on topic The upcoming hikes thread
Anyone gonna be in the Mnweni area this coming weekend?
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16 Sep 2013 13:19 #58496
by Viking
I went the up chain ladders on Saturday with some mates and camped in the valley directly behind the hut.
The wind started blowing on Friday night (we stayed at Witsieshoek to get an early start)and although it calmed down late on Saturday night, it was blowing hard the rest of the time and was still pumping when we left Witsieshoek late on Sunday afternoon.
The ladders were a bit of fun in that wind and walking was always an effort. Often your eyes would water so much that you couldn't see where you were going.
One guy's old isodome pretty much caved in on two occasions. There were a few times when the wind literally pushed you two or three steps sideways.
When we were at the mid point between the two sets of ladders I saw a beanie come flying up past me at a serious speed, swirl around and then carry on its upward trajectory. A chap on a day hike below us waiting to come up was the unfortunate victim of the Dragon's breath!
Also the wind made for coolish daytime temps. Around 12/13 deg C.
Luckily it wasn't a trip with any tricky or majorly exposed sections!
“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!”
Replied by Viking on topic The upcoming hikes thread
Smurfatefrog wrote: .
The wind at 2150m must've been around 70 to 80km/h, was anyone on the escarpment on Saturday?
I went the up chain ladders on Saturday with some mates and camped in the valley directly behind the hut.
The wind started blowing on Friday night (we stayed at Witsieshoek to get an early start)and although it calmed down late on Saturday night, it was blowing hard the rest of the time and was still pumping when we left Witsieshoek late on Sunday afternoon.
The ladders were a bit of fun in that wind and walking was always an effort. Often your eyes would water so much that you couldn't see where you were going.
One guy's old isodome pretty much caved in on two occasions. There were a few times when the wind literally pushed you two or three steps sideways.
When we were at the mid point between the two sets of ladders I saw a beanie come flying up past me at a serious speed, swirl around and then carry on its upward trajectory. A chap on a day hike below us waiting to come up was the unfortunate victim of the Dragon's breath!
Also the wind made for coolish daytime temps. Around 12/13 deg C.
Luckily it wasn't a trip with any tricky or majorly exposed sections!
“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!”
The following user(s) said Thank You: ghaznavid, Smurfatefrog
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18 Sep 2013 11:21 - 18 Sep 2013 11:21 #58519
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic The upcoming hikes thread
Yes we're a group heading up Pins Pass. I've heard of several other groups heading for the Mnweni too. In particular I'm interested in who is intending to camp in the Mnweni Valley on Saturday night? Sounds like its going to be festive.jamcligeo wrote: Anyone gonna be in the Mnweni area this coming weekend?
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Last edit: 18 Sep 2013 11:21 by intrepid.
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18 Sep 2013 13:52 #58524
by jamcligeo
Replied by jamcligeo on topic The upcoming hikes thread
Nice! Might run into you on top. We probably heading up Ntongelana.
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19 Sep 2013 08:12 #58531
by ruthtbl
Replied by ruthtbl on topic The upcoming hikes thread
Hi, I and 4 other people (including pfoj/Ralph Enslin) are also going to be hiking in the Mweni Area over this long weekend. We are planning on going up Mweni Pass and down Rockeries Pass, probably staying at Chi Chi bush camp on Saturday night.
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19 Sep 2013 11:10 #58536
by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic The upcoming hikes thread
So I'm off to Giant's tomorrow - important to go somewhere I don't often go to 
Tomorrow night the plan is Jarding Cave, saturday night will be Giants Cave and hopefully some khulus will be captured by some Ghulams along the way (ok - not a great joke seeing as the Ghulams where Turkish, but they did make up the bulk of the Ghaznavid cavalry).
I am slightly concerned about the forecast of snow and strong winds this weekend though...
Tomorrow night the plan is Jarding Cave, saturday night will be Giants Cave and hopefully some khulus will be captured by some Ghulams along the way (ok - not a great joke seeing as the Ghulams where Turkish, but they did make up the bulk of the Ghaznavid cavalry).
I am slightly concerned about the forecast of snow and strong winds this weekend though...
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19 Sep 2013 14:04 #58538
by Geordie
Replied by Geordie on topic The upcoming hikes thread
Mnweni, with a group of 12 nog al.
Every year or so, the JHC ask me to take up a group who are not as "at home" in the berg as myself. Good hikers all, but this is not their usual territory, which just fuels their enthusiasm. So if you see a gang of 12 approaching stand back in respect and hang on to anything which looks edible or drinkable.
We plan on coming down Mnweni pass on the Monday and then sleeping along the river just before Pickanin Alley starts, but preferably 4 or 5 kays further than Shepherds cave!! Anyone know of a spot ??
Join us for a Senqu party on Sunday evening sounds like it may be just be busy there.
See you on the trail
George
Every year or so, the JHC ask me to take up a group who are not as "at home" in the berg as myself. Good hikers all, but this is not their usual territory, which just fuels their enthusiasm. So if you see a gang of 12 approaching stand back in respect and hang on to anything which looks edible or drinkable.
We plan on coming down Mnweni pass on the Monday and then sleeping along the river just before Pickanin Alley starts, but preferably 4 or 5 kays further than Shepherds cave!! Anyone know of a spot ??
Join us for a Senqu party on Sunday evening sounds like it may be just be busy there.
See you on the trail
George
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19 Sep 2013 17:34 #58540
by tonymarshall
Replied by tonymarshall on topic The upcoming hikes thread
Hi George,
So you're the guys who are taking over Bergville tomorrow night. Might bump into you, I'm in intrepid's group doing Pins Pass.
Seven of our group are on VE, wonder if that's a record; intrepid, ClimbyKel, elinda, Richard Hunt, Sabine, Lorinda and tonymarshall.
Years ago we found quite a nice spot next to the lower path between Mlambu's Kraal and the Icidi junction, flat area with a small side stream for water. We were also a large group, and I always remember this spot with fondness when going past. Not sure the stream will have water now, but it might work for you.
So you're the guys who are taking over Bergville tomorrow night. Might bump into you, I'm in intrepid's group doing Pins Pass.
Seven of our group are on VE, wonder if that's a record; intrepid, ClimbyKel, elinda, Richard Hunt, Sabine, Lorinda and tonymarshall.
Years ago we found quite a nice spot next to the lower path between Mlambu's Kraal and the Icidi junction, flat area with a small side stream for water. We were also a large group, and I always remember this spot with fondness when going past. Not sure the stream will have water now, but it might work for you.
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19 Sep 2013 17:49 #58542
by Geordie
Replied by Geordie on topic The upcoming hikes thread
Cheers Boet
You have just jogged the memory, I remember the spot too, just water may be an issue, as you mentioned.
See you in town or at the CC or on the trail. Be nice to put some faces attached to a warm beating hearts to the names.
And a bone to pick: You lot beat me to Ifidi, and now to Pins as well. Ah well, I'll learn from the write up's I guess.
G
You have just jogged the memory, I remember the spot too, just water may be an issue, as you mentioned.
See you in town or at the CC or on the trail. Be nice to put some faces attached to a warm beating hearts to the names.
And a bone to pick: You lot beat me to Ifidi, and now to Pins as well. Ah well, I'll learn from the write up's I guess.
G
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19 Sep 2013 17:55 #58543
by ghaznavid
We had 5 on GT last year, the resupply team had 3 (that I know of) - so if that 1km stretch from Tseke camp to Cockade pass counts, then 7 would just miss the record. I think Jo and Lorinda both joined after the hike though, so I guess it doesn't really count...
Any other high VE concentrations out there?
Replied by ghaznavid on topic The upcoming hikes thread
tonymarshall wrote: Seven of our group are on VE, wonder if that's a record; intrepid, ClimbyKel, elinda, Richard Hunt, Sabine, Lorinda and tonymarshall.
We had 5 on GT last year, the resupply team had 3 (that I know of) - so if that 1km stretch from Tseke camp to Cockade pass counts, then 7 would just miss the record. I think Jo and Lorinda both joined after the hike though, so I guess it doesn't really count...
Any other high VE concentrations out there?
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