The upcoming hikes thread

andrew r wrote: Anyone have thoughts on how far up the path to Neptune Pools we can get in the dark (waxing crescent moon, setting a 9pm)?

I've adopted the late start on a Friday afternoon approach on 2 different hikes now. Both times have involved hiking the second half of the distance well after dark and I must say I really enjoy it. If I were doing your route, I'd have aimed to get to Cockade campsite on the first night. I'm not sure of the fitness of your group or how soon before or after sunset you plan on leaving, but I reckon you shouldn't take more than an hour to get to Neptune's Pool and possibly another 1.5 to 2 hours to get up to C5 after that. From there you've got about another 1.5km along a slighty overgrown contour path, before you near the campsite. If you have GPS with the route (and a higher than normal sense of adventure ), you shouldn't get lost.
If you only want to go a short distance however, there is a somewhat small, flatish spot to put up a couple of tents on the opposite side of the river near C21. I've used it before, but it isn't great.

We are hiking from Cathedral Peak to Giants Castle. Going to be an epic 5 days!
Going to go up Organ Pipes and down Langalibalele Pass. Leaving Monday morning and arriving at Giants on Friday.

My plans for this weekend have fallen through. Anyone got some interesting plans and a space in their group this weekend?

ghaznavid wrote: My plans for this weekend have fallen through. Anyone got some interesting plans and a space in their group this weekend?

Interesting?....mmmm
Painful?....yes.

Mountain biking some of the (bicycle passable) sections of the Skyrun this weekend. Starting with Joubertspas, as if that is not painful enough we'll be heading to Balloch for some of the Hors-Cat single tracks there. Weather permitting offcourse. Me and my old partner in crime, the bro-in-law.

Not hiking I know, but any trips in the mountains I love is something to look forward to!!

@ Highlands Fanatic

That sounds like a lot of fun. Enjoy!

ghaznavid wrote: My plans for this weekend have fallen through. Anyone got some interesting plans and a space in their group this weekend?

My brother-in-law and I will be heading up Mlambonja Pass aiming for Twin's Cave tomorrow night, coming down the Bell Traverse on Sunday, tenting somewhere along the way and returning home on Monday. Should be going at a very relaxed pace with plenty sightseeing along the way. You welcome to join if you want. Same goes for any other VE members looking for a last minute weekend mission.

Signed up with AndrewR for his Cockade/Organ Pipes mission. Should be epic!

Good, enjoy it. Hope the weathers kind, and if you've got visibility take a look if there's a possible connection between the Cockade Pass and Elephant Gully routes.

Thanks Tony!

Hopefully 4 days at Didima will have me nice and ready for the big Mnweni mission next weekend. I am close to having done all of the Didima passes, but only have 9 out of 32 khulus. Hopefully Cockade and Castle Buttress will fall to me this weekend. The southern khulus will have to be conquered as part of a bigger mission around a Thlanyako/Grays traverse.