The upcoming hikes thread

You definitely need the maps and the ability to use them if you get stuck in the mist. The top of the Berg can be a dangerous place if you don't know where to look for a pass. Beware of False Tseketseke Pass, for example - it looks like a very obvious pass, but can be very dangerous and requires great skill and knowledge to get down.

Mlambonja, Bell Traverse, Organ Pipes, Camel, Thuthumi, Smugglers and Thlanyako Pass all have trails, basically from the top to the contour path. Tseke and Cockade have trails in places.

You could definitely do Bannerman/Giants in 5 days. Just read about how to get over Durnford Ridge - there are a few ways over, Durnford Gap is the usual route - you just need to know where to look for it.

When I hadn't been hiking for very long, I struggled to find Giants Pass in the mist - fortunately I did have a GPS. So just make sure you know what you are doing.

ghaznavid wrote: 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

Could you make a tracklog of this route for us?

ghaznavid wrote: You definitely need the maps and the ability to use them if you get stuck in the mist. The top of the Berg can be a dangerous place if you don't know where to look for a pass. Beware of False Tseketseke Pass, for example - it looks like a very obvious pass, but can be very dangerous and requires great skill and knowledge to get down.

Mlambonja, Bell Traverse, Organ Pipes, Camel, Thuthumi, Smugglers and Thlanyako Pass all have trails, basically from the top to the contour path. Tseke and Cockade have trails in places.

You could definitely do Bannerman/Giants in 5 days. Just read about how to get over Durnford Ridge - there are a few ways over, Durnford Gap is the usual route - you just need to know where to look for it.

When I hadn't been hiking for very long, I struggled to find Giants Pass in the mist - fortunately I did have a GPS. So just make sure you know what you are doing.

Up mlambonja and down organ pipes via thuthumi ridge.

I found this offline gps app for my iphone, terra map hd, it has a track up Mlambonja and down organ pipes

It’s been a somewhat quieter hiking year this year for me. Nevertheless, despite the weather report looking a little ominous, a small group of us are heading up to Giant’s Castle to do the classic Bannerman-Langalibalele loop this weekend. We’ll be starting in the early evening on Friday, so will only arrive at Bannerman Hut after dark. We’ve had 2 guys drop out of our group in the last couple of days, so we’re down to just 3. A little late, I know, but if anyone is keen for a last minute weekend adventure, let me know. Tents will be required for Saturday night on top.

Hi guys and girls,
Our group is doing our last pine tree working hike of the year from the 9th to 11 December.
We have had a couple of cancellations, so have some spots available.
If you would like to join for a fun working weekend (yes we can have fun and work on the same hike!!) let me know.
Work is entirely at your own pace and discretion, no pressure.
Monks Cowl area, from Friday morning at about 8ish or earlier, walk out Sunday morning.

HIKING IN DRAKENSBERG OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS

Hi everyone:)

I would love to spend this holiday hiking in the Drakensberg. Even doing the Grand Traverse. I haven't been able to convince any of my hiking friends here in Cape Town to join me, so I hope someone closer to the berg here is keen or is already organizing something that I can join?

I got leave from the 16th of Dec to 3rd of Jan.

Hope this work out - it would be fantastic!

Teresie

Teresie wrote: HIKING IN DRAKENSBERG OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS

Hi everyone:)

I would love to spend this holiday hiking in the Drakensberg. Even doing the Grand Traverse. I haven't been able to convince any of my hiking friends here in Cape Town to join me, so I hope someone closer to the berg here is keen or is already organizing something that I can join?

I got leave from the 16th of Dec to 3rd of Jan.

Hope this work out - it would be fantastic!

Teresie

I am interested. PM sent. Christine

Looking to team up with people in the Champagne Castle area this December.

I'll be in Bergview from the 17 Dec to 22 Dec. I'd like to team up with anyone in the Monk's Cowl/Injisuthi area.
I'm hoping to go up Ship's Prow South Fork, descending via Gray's Pass, bagging some peaks along the way. But I'm open to other routes. PM me if you're going to be in the area.

Bumping this thread.
I'm still hoping to team up with anyone in the Cathkin area from 17th to 22nd December.

Good morning beautiful people.

I know VE is obviously not everyone hiking on the Drakensburg but to try and minimize surprises I just want to ask if there is anybody else planning to make use of Roland's cave this Friday night & Twins cave on Saturday night?
(We're a group of 7)

Thanks.