The upcoming hikes thread

I won't be able to do December, I am booked up almost every day. I literally only have 6 days set aside for rest/work. One epic month coming up!

Johnny_Queste wrote: also looking for guides, the best i've found was www.spanafrican-adventures.co.za/ but its hard to get his dates

Try Gavin's Peak High Mountaineering - peakhigh.co.za - if he can't run the trip, he should be able to refer you to someone who can.

On a side note - any specific reason you are aiming for the Northern High Traverse? I know it is often listed on the global hiking trail to-do lists - but because of the distance, people rarely follow the escarpment edge line, defeating a lot of the point of the route.

You do usually get the Fangs Cutback (well, not all of it, and not the best of it), the summit of Black and Tan Wall is basically in there, if you detour a bit, and the Bell Traverse is also special - but many of the gems of the region are lost on the faster line usually used. Top of the Amphitheatre escarpment edge, Ifidi Peak, Ledgers Cave/Mponjwane region and Nguza Ridge are classic examples of this. Not to mention leaving the escarpment before the Cockade region and Cleft Peak.

Following the escarpment edge is very time consuming and takes a lot of extra effort (not to mention being far from water) - but is far more scenic than the much easier valleys. But if you take the extra time (accounting for the fact that it usually shortens your trip), the views are usually well worth it.

A really scenic loop is the old standard Mafadi Traverse (Mafadi being SA's highest peak). It is circular from Injisuthi Camp, meaning that logistics are much easier, and it has a lot of options. A short walk from Upper Injisuthi Cave to the escarpment edge above the Triplets (3 freestanding rock pinnacles) comes with a really amazing view. I was lucky enough to watch a sunrise from that spot this winter. And a fit team can even go as far as Grey's Pass in 5 days, walking out via Shada Ridge - which adds a lot of really great spots (and if you fall behind schedule, you can go down Leslies Pass instead).

Not to mention, the "traffic" is bad! Have always wanted to travese the amphitheater but don't want to take that chance.

Is the bell travers a safe hike considering rain fall and trafficking?

Xeni pass to organ pipes?

Mafadi is a great hike yes. Want to explore Cathedral peak though!
Any suggestions on a mini traverse in that area, 4 nights.

ghaznavid wrote: I won't be able to do December, I am booked up almost every day. I literally only have 6 days set aside for rest/work. One epic month coming up!

wow, will be a nice month

ghaznavid wrote: Try Gavin's Peak High Mountaineering - peakhigh.co.za - if he can't run the trip, he should be able to refer you to someone who can.

i've talked to him, but once im solo, it became expensive

ghaznavid wrote: On a side note - any specific reason you are aiming for the Northern High Traverse? I know it is often listed on the global hiking trail to-do lists

yeap, thats it

@Gudstff: I wouldn't stress too much about locals - just know where not to camp and how to avoid dogs etc.

Bell Traverse shouldn't be an issue, assuming you are happy with a bit of exposure in a few places.

Can't comment on Xeni since I haven't done it, but Organ Pipes Pass via Thuthumi Ridge is an exceptionally scenic pass. Cockade Pass is an easier alternative to Xeni, and is easily my favourite pass out of the 71 passes I have done. The approach is overgrown (the same approach as Xeni Pass), but route finding is pretty obvious, and there is a trail through the middle of the pass.

@Johnny_Queste: how long are you in SA for?

ghaznavid wrote: @Johnny_Queste: how long are you in SA for?

from nov 15 until dec10
the best for me is close to arrival and departure, because is when i'll be closer to drakenberg

if you know something, tell me

Thanks!

So the route i have in mind is...

Day1: to Mlambonja base
Day2: up Mlambonja pass to elephant
Day3: down cockade pass to base
Day4 tseketseke hut
Day5 campsite

Or on day3: cleft peak
Day4: old fire lookout
Day5: campsite

Have not really been around Cathedral area, only at xeni/cockade base 2 months ago for 1 night.

Or to try and make plans with johnny quest

Those are some short days once you are on top.

How about this for a scenic 5 dayer:
day 1: Cockade Pass camp (small spot on the GPS track)
day 2: up the pass and camp behind Tseke Pass
day 3: traverse to Thlanyako Pass (2 ridges, don't camp close to the top of the pass)
day 4: down Thlanyako Pass to Didima Camp (on the Didima River, not marked on the map - hopefully someone has a GPS co-ord for you)
day 5: up Philips Folly and use contour path to get back

Thlanyako Pass is an exceptionally scenic pass, highly recommended

Actually - Didima probably has the best concentration of really spectacular passes, so pretty much take any of them

Sounds pretty awesome yes!
Problem is that my GPS busted, unless i can spot it on google earth!
We can go with that one yes, only two of us(myself and lady friend)and have not really been training, she probably more fit than i am!
Alternative to cut down organ pipes(thuthimi ridge)?
The cockade pass campsite, is it somewhere at the split at cockade/xeni?

The camp spot is near the junction of the river that flows down Cockade/Xeni and the Contour Path. It is one of those traditional little camping spots that we so often see in the Berg. I.e. as much a campsite as a grassy verge is a parking lot.

Organ Pipes via Thuthumi Ridge is an amazing route (can't comment on the Camel variation as I haven't done it yet). This would most certainly cut your distance and make logistics easier. Navigation on this pass is very easy, and it comes out at the top of Mikes Pass - so you just follow the road down the pass, then walk up the road back to your car at the end - admittedly that last part will be a bit painful!

You could also use Mlambonja Pass and Organ Pipes - it would also be a great route. Hiking in the area once will almost force you to return, so you can always do Bell Traverse/Mlambonja/Cockade next time!

Ive read some reports on Mlambonja and organ, sounds like a good adventure!

Any suggestions on mapping over the escarpment, without gps and having some thick mist?

Wouldnt want to make the wrong turn off heading down the cliff, or are there trails?

Rain is one thing on its own, but mist can become a problem if never been there!

Bannerman/giants pass? 5 day casual hike?