Hiking in the Mist

This weekend past a group of us went to the Monks Cowl area with the purpose of climbing Sterkhorn, come hell or high water.

As it happened we had mist and low clouds that basically blotted out Cathkin, Sterkhorn, Tower and Amphlet. But the group was still keen to go, knowing that they would not see any view at all.

With this I took then up with the warning that we stick close and if it gets too dangerous we will retreat of the mountain no questions asked.

We had about 30m - 40m of visibility with breaks in the cloud every now and again. We all made it to the top and back down in one peace and the weather held out. We had a great time and everyone loved it!

Normally I would not climb under these conditions, but I made a reluctant exception, as the group was fit and motivated.

My greatest concern was if the weather turned drastically, but this can happen even on a clear day.
We all had rain gear and food and water.

Next concern was that if anything severe happened a chopper could not land in those conditions.

So yes in my opinion we took a bit of a risk, was it a big risk?

Hence my question about the hiking in the mist.

Hey BB !!!

I say it depends what you looking to do : if you determined to bag a peak, sure go for it cos there's no guarantee that next Berg trip gonna have any better weather. Given that you have a certain level of Berg experience that is.
If its a social, relaxing hike like I had at MC on 7-10 March, with very heavy mist up Sterkhorn and route finding could be an issue, I thought an afternoon snooze at Sterkhorn campsite was a better option.


The realistic thinking would be that should a rescue become necessary, you are now placing the rescuers lives at risk. Given that they are suitably trained, there would still be a risk.

Guess the weather will always be an issue. Better to make the most of it while you are there!

Love that MC area!!

This weekend we went up the organ pipes via mikes pass. What seemed like a clear day soon turned very misty in the afternoon. As a result we decided to camp on the pass. Not recommended but the best option at the time.

The next morning we were stuck with 20-30m visibility and subsequently took the wrong pass up the mountain. Going behind the pipes instead of in front. We had some older members in the group and going was painfully slow. With the younger guys taking most of the weight from their packs. It was hell! Luckily we made it up OK.

Even though we were all relatively experienced hikers, as a group we made the wrong decision. So unless you know exactly where your going. I’d say don’t hike in the mist.

I would agree with you, 1/2 pint. If there is any doubt about where you are or where you are headed - best to stay put. Mist really messes with your bearings. We did the Sentinel-Cathedral Peak traverse one winter, and being young and stupid took a map but no compass. We woke on the 4th day to a thick blanket of mist that only cleared at 4pm (and then only briefly), by that time we were in the middle of Lesotho having followed a ridge that we thought was the escarpment. When the gap in the mist opened it was probably the most demoralising moment I've ever had, and there are some members of our party who have never done a berg hike since! In hindsight, we should have stayed where we were and played poker all day.

Having said that, if was on on a clear path or one that I knew well, and everyone was motivated to go on, then I most certainly would do what Bergbees did - but I'd keep that compass or GPS handy.

Almost every story you read where things go wrong in the berg involves MIST.
Hence the disicion has to be made by the people on the ground taking in all the factors that are involved. Try to take the emotion out of it as far as possable.

In our case I had done the route and there is a "path" of sorts up the mountain, I knew where we could shelter if things got bad on the mountain, and we had someone in MC camp that knew when we were to be back. We had a map and compass, food and rain gear and warm gear. I also had 4 out of 6 that had not hiked the peak before but were motivated and fit.

I also made a point of describing land marks on the way and "back viewing" the route with them. This way they should have an idea of the route back in case something happend to myself or my wife (who knew the route too).

If we were hiking on the escarpment with mist in an unknow area I would have waited it out.

Thanks for all the coments guys, it's good to get feedback from others and to see their opinions, that is what makes a forum like this great. It gives you the oppertunity to test your own ideas, with informed people. Then take an educated assesment of your actions and if required apply the new knowledge gained.

I see this is an old thread, but I recount my story of heavy mist from 2007 when re-supplying the Grand Traverse party from Mountain BackPackers Club of Durban in April.

Alot of moisture and cloud was around the whole 3 days, only in early morning did the cloud banks descend into the valleys and then rose by mid morning.

On the last day leaving from the campsite at top of Bannermans pass, we started in clear weather, with the cloud bank below the escarpment, we got to the top of the ridge in sunlight and literally 5mins after starting the descent to contour into the valleys leading to Langalibalele pass, the cloud bank rose up and enveloped us.

At this stage the hike party had split into 3. Some going with the main GT party, some had gone up the ridge to explore Bannermans Cave, and the rest where spread out lower in the valley contouring to the pass head.

I ended up in the rear in a "mop up" group to ensure all stragglers were together, we met up with a person who had separated from the group on the higher ridge who had a GPS, but some of the more experienced hikers were confident of the particular contour line we were on. Both methods of navigation proved accurate as we hit the right river and ended up with the rest of the group at the pass top [where the pic was taken].



One of the leaders was blowing a whistle by the time we arrived, very concerned that the group had split up so much, also a big rule break when weather conditions deteriorate!

Needless to say was the most miserable hike down that pass EVER - cold, wet no visibility and just plain nasty and depressing!