The upcoming hikes thread

Im planning to do the northern mini traverse between 19 - 23 december. Unfortunately everyone that was joining had to cancel due to other plans so at this stage im walking alone. Anyone care to join?

Anyone driving from PMB (or anywhere in KZN) to Sentinel Car Park on the morning of 22 December?

We can also get a bus up to Harrismith and meet someone from the Gauteng side driving up that way.

Myself and Hobbit are looking for a lift to the start of our GT. Obviously we will contribute towards petrol.

Updated: Thanks AndrewP

Papa Dragon, I got the most wonderful news: leave approved!!! So I am definitely joining in on your hike 18 Dec.
How can we better communicate where and when to meet up?
Also, I am leaving from the Vaal, so if anyone wants a lift.....

We doing a 3 day hike in the week between the 14th - 18th December. Night 1 Monks Cowl Keith Bush camp. Day 2 leaving kit at the camp (is this safe enough to do?) and summiting Champagne Castle via Grays pass and returning to stay at Keith Bush before returning to Monks. Do any of you veterans have any additional advice?

It would be safe enough to do if no one caught sight of your packs. And since Grays is a well-known smuggling route, it would be wise to stash all kit well out of sight - behind bushes, etc. - and perhaps before there's much light, in case anyone should happen to be watching from above. If you don't pass anyone suspicious on the way up or see anyone making their way down while you're on top, then there is unlikely to be a problem. That said, however, I once left Keith Bush early in the morning, having gone up and down Grays the previous day, and passed a number of Basothos near the Hlathikulu Nek who were heading back to the pass. So, if thieves were to come up the valley and catch sight of something while you are either ascending the pass or on top, then there could be a problem. I don't mean to cause needless concern or to discourage you, as if there's no one else in the area, then leaving things down there will be fine. But there have been thefts in the Berg, as you may see in the Berg Alert threads, and so it's probably best to err on the side of caution.

I hiked with a group from the mountain backpackers in 2013, where on day one we set up camp at Keith bush. Sitting around eating early dinner and drinking coffee, We were joined by a few basotho smugglers carting their wares in sacks on their backs. They sat with us and we offered biscuits and milk. After about 15 minutes, they carried on along the path. one member of the group kindly volunteered to stay in the camp
with our kit the following day as we ascended grays pass and up to champagne. We never encountered any more smugglers, and neither did our ' camp guard '.I think you can be lucky or unlucky leaving your kit behind. Just depends on the day.

Many thanks for the feedback guys. The staff at Monks Cowl have confirmed there have been no incidents at KBC that they can recall. I found it interesting that Gray's pass is well used by Basothos. Where do they come from since there is no large local population in the valley?

Robkatt wrote: Where do they come from since there is no large local population in the valley?

Yodeler's and further inland. There is a very good trail that runs from the village at the Yodeler's up the ridge and along the top, then it drops by Nkosasana Peak and heads down Grey's Pass.

There is also a solid trail from the village to Thlanyako Pass, and up the valley to Smugglers Pass.

Hi guys

I'm fairly new here, so have not met anyone in the flesh.
Hope to change that going forward.

This just a quick message to all travelling on these insane roads and hiking\climbing this holiday season to keep it safe and have massive fun.
Please come back with loads of photos!

Merry season and see you here 2016.

Johann

Out of interest, who will be in the mountains between 20 December and 5 January? Last year I managed to go 9 days without bumping into a single hiker, not one between Bilanjil and Phinong.

Once again I plan to be in Easter Cave on Christmas Day - hopefully not bailing down Christmas Pass Christmas cake deliveries are most welcome