Don't look down

It's interesting to read about different perspectives regarding exposure and the 'don't look down' factor. I am doing the Bell Traverse for the first time this weekend ( it's been on my 'to do' list for a long time) and I have to admit that I am a bit worried about the 'tricky' sections.Yet I have no problem with the approach to Ledgers Cave and have tackled Rolands Cave( albeit very cautiously) a couple of times. Time will reveal all - watch this space for my report back next week!

In think the Roland's approach is trickier and more exposed than any section of the BT traverse. As I recall the BT traverse has one airy step over section which is easily skirted if you drop down for a 15 min detour. There are of course some variations to the route that may throw in some excitement but it is a spectacular walk.

Disappointed to report that we failed to complete the BT this last weekend due to wet and misty weather conditions. We had started off on Friday going up Organ Pipes and overnighted at Upper Ndumeni Cave as we lost the race to Rolands ( a group of hikers from Gauteng got there first!)The next day it was up and over Cleft, then headed North and through the Elephant cutback and down to Kwakwatsi Valley where we headed up to the top of Mlambonje and Twins Annexe Cave. We had thick mist for virtually the entire day apart from a lovely break at the top of Cleft where we had windless conditions and a great view. It rained heavily during the night and although it had stopped by sunrise, we had to make a call re the BT. I was the only one in our group who had not done it, and the others felt it could well be slippery and not worth taking the chance. So we descended via Mlambonja pass - I had done this once years ago and swore I would never do it again.....After several hours bundu bashing down through head high vegetation in parts, and water everywhere, I have not changed my opinion on this pass - my worst pass in the Berg!
So - the BT remains on my to do list - hopefully I can try it again soon and it will be a case of third time lucky!

ghaznavid wrote: although admittedly its [Roland's Cave] not high on my to do list!

Ok, its no longer on my to do list, its now on my "things I have already done" list. Its an amazing cave, and the access ridge isn't that bad, except for that small slippery bit where you have nothing to hold onto (not to mention the view of Thuthumi Pass directly below you!)...

Just to give some new perspective on Roland's cave - the following is the Ndumeni Dome from the Top of Mikes Pass with 18X zoom, and a cropped photo of the cave itself:

Does anyone know if there is any way to bypass the sketchy exposed section on the Bell Traverse when you descend from Twins cave onto the saddle between the Mitre? For me, that is the riskiest part of the BT.

I saw that Ghaz has a nice pic of it in his report on summitpost. I've done it once before on a trail run but don't fancy that section with a heavy pack. The KZN Wildlife map seems to indicate the path dropping straight down from twins. Is there a viable route down the grassy banks directly below Twins Cave?

Also, on the narrow approach to Rolands are there installed bolts if you want to set up a safety line?

Not sure if these have answered in the thread already.

Hi GriffBaker,

Regarding the Rolands approach, yes, there are 2 pitons attached to the rock face, the one is fairly close to the cave entrance and possibly a bit higher up than where you would expect to find it (we searched around for it a bit on our last trip), the one furthest away from the cave entrance is about 10 meters max further away.

Regarding the Bell traverse, I can't figure out what section you are referring to. You mention the area between the Mitre..... between the Mitre and? Are you referring to the section between the Mitre and the Chessmen perhaps? I can't think of any dodgy sections between Twins cave and the Mitre, but there is this one section not to far from the Mitre underneath the chessmen where the path becomes quite.......thin/narrow and you have to climb over a boulder that sort of forces you a bit over thin air, which I found a bit dodgy as my sleeping pad was fastened horizontally on the back of my pack, and of course it pushed against the rock and nearly pushed me off the rock. You can walk below this section but in my opinion the steepness of the terrain below you will place you more at risk than slowly making your way over/around the protruding rock section.

Hope this helps. If not, do you perhaps have a picture of the section you are referring to?

Hi Riaang, thanks for the clarification on Rolands. 

With regards to the dodgy section I was speaking of, I am going to crib a pic from Ghaz's post. Hope you don't mind Ghaznavid.



That's section just gives me the jeebie heebies more than any of the other parts of the Traverse but I am very naff when it comes to dangly stuff.