The upcoming hikes thread

ASL wrote: Nico and I have decided to revisit Leslie's for round 2 and go up to Summit Cave. Can anyone tell me about descending Corner Pass?

I say go for it. If you keep your wits about you, Corner Pass is really not that hectic.

Edit: if there's lots of snow, it WILL be hectic!

ASL wrote: Nico and I have decided to revisit Leslie's for round 2 and go up to Summit Cave. Can anyone tell me about descending Corner Pass?

Haven't you guys done Leslie a couple of weeks ago? Great pass and one of my favorites indeed, but why not do another route this time?

Go up Corner via Northern High Approach, as described in good detail by Tony Marshall recently. I have done this route, and as long as you do the correct way up it is a breeze (the correct way being scrambling up a particular rock band at a point, as described by Tony, otherwise you end up at a tough up and down needing some rope work).

This means you need to go up to Centenary Hut the Friday afternoon, involving a solid slog up two hour hill, but doable in an afternoon. Saturday morning up Corner NHA, if started early you should summit around 13:00 - 14:00'ish, leaving enough time for Summit Cave. Sunday will be long down Leslies, but downhill all the way so could be done fast.

I'm there (Injasuti Camp) from Friday to Sunday, may see you guys (although I won't be doing long hikes, will just be chilling, perhaps going to Lower Injasuthi Cave if I can convince the SO).

cool suggestion.. We are planning to start on Saturday morning as Monday is a holiday. What about going straight up to Summit Cave in one push on Saturday (or another cave)?

ASL wrote: cool suggestion.. We are planning to start on Saturday morning as Monday is a holiday. What about going straight up to Summit Cave in one push on Saturday (or another cave)?

That will be a very long day. The last time I was up there, we started super early from the campsite, had breakfast at Marble Baths and then pushed for the top of Leslie's Pass. We had one guy in our group that was struggling a bit, but managed to make camp on top, near the river in the early evening. We then spent the whole of the next day "exploring" the escarpment edge (plus a quick detour to Mafadi summit) while making our way to the Summit Cave. To have completed all of that in one day, even without the exploring part, would've been a tough ask. Not impossible, but make sure you eat your porridge that morning!

sorry, I actually meant to say what about going up via Corner Pass cause it's not that far from Centenary Hut. Otherwise I would rather camp at the bottom and go up and over in the morning. If we start early on Saturday it would be a waste to stop at Centenary. Besides, the place is a pit...

Injisuthi camp up Corner to UIC in a day - that's quite a day!

I guess if it turns out to be too far and its dry you can use the spot under the chockstone on the pass as a bivy spot (or one of the terrible caves that sleeps half a person on the pass).

Just a thought, Bannerman Hut up Corner Pass to Bannerman Cave is doable in a day. If you switch from Injisuthi to Giants that is. Bannerman Hut can be done in 3-4 hours without pushing it, so you can drive in later on day 1. You can then hike down either Hlubi Pass, Langies, one of the 3 Jarding Passes or even push for Giant's Pass if you want an epic final day.

ASL wrote: sorry, I actually meant to say what about going up via Corner Pass cause it's not that far from Centenary Hut. Otherwise I would rather camp at the bottom and go up and over in the morning. If we start early on Saturday it would be a waste to stop at Centenary. Besides, the place is a pit...

Hmmm, I see. That would also be quite a tough day. I've done that route before as well, but once again, also taking two days to get there. If I had to choose between which route to take aiming for the Summit Cave in one day, it would probably be up Corner Pass. I haven't done the " Northern High Approach" into Corner Pass before, so can't really comment on that. However, the standard route along the contour path and then up is pretty easy to follow, so I would suggest going that way to avoid any mishaps on an otherwise long day.

Prescript: I may be posting this too late, but perhaps you guys meant going up next weekend? Ah well, for future reference then:

The Northern approach to Corner is in my opinion shorter (read faster) than the gully approach, but only feasible from Injasuthi side.

I do like Ghaznavids suggestion of considering doing it via Giants Castle Reserve, if anyone consider doing it in one day, offcourse then via the standard gully approach.

Also, you gonna have to be fit, very fit, to do this whole thing in one day. If you are, go for it! If not, break it down into two days.

PS. Was great meeting Richard Hunt and Elaine Bushell at Injasuthi this weekend, albeit briefly as they were heading out to Wonder Valley. Impressive looking duo, even before getting to know who they are, I thought to myself "these are pro hikers".

It was good to meet you too Riaan! Always nice to put a name to the face.......I had to smile at your comment of Richard and I looking like 'pro hikers' I was trying out wearing trail running tights for the first time and felt somewhat strange But thanks for the kind words! By the way I would be interested if any guys or ladies have tried them - after the weekend I give them a thumbs up - supremely comfortable and easy to wear. I first saw this in New Zealand when I was out there last year - no one wears traditional hiking pants and the guys wear shorts over the trail tights. I got fed up with my First Ascent technical longs as although they dry fast and are light, the belt design leaves much to be desired. I often ended up with painful marks on my back and waist where the backpack rubs against the belt. So for me the trail tights are a winner.

I have gone a bit off topic, but to confirm Highland Fanatics comment on Corner Pass - the Northern High approach is the faster one and most scenic. I am not sure you would get from Injasuti camp up Corner and then to Upper Injasuti in one day - that's pretty tough and that slog up the back of the Trojan wall is a killer.

This is a comment about the 'one-day-to-Upper_Injisuthi-Cave' issue. I've not done it in a day. But once when we were in Upper Inj Cave, a party arrived after dark having done the trip in a day. They came up from Giants Camp, via Bannerman Pass and then across the top. The party did not consist entirely of mega-fit speed merchants though they were travelling light (sandwiches for dinner). They arrived at about 8pm. The party was guided - they were going for Mafadi. The guide and I discussed their route at some length, mainly because it had not occurred to me to approach Mafadi from Giants in one day.