Solo hiking in the Berg
23 Nov 2020 12:55 #76323
by robfanucchi
Replied by robfanucchi on topic Solo hiking in the Berg
Hi guys,
Having moved down to the cape a few years ago I haven't been back to the berg for sometime now and Im finally heading back for some mountain time first week of Jan.
I will most likely be solo and mainly looking at doing some trail running in the lower berg but would like to get some hiking/fast packing in.
I was potentially thinking of doing Camel, Twins Cave and down Bell Traverse in 2 days as one option and option 2 would probably be Mwneni, Ledges Rockeries.
But as i have never done much around the Monks Cowl/Injisuthi areas I would be keen on some feedback from you guys on what options would be best for me for a safe over nighter on top.
Ultimately I would like to target 20 - 30km a day and do a round loop.
And lastly I would appreciate some feedback on what areas are the so called safest to go to as a solo hiker and where to stay away from.
Thanks
Rob
Having moved down to the cape a few years ago I haven't been back to the berg for sometime now and Im finally heading back for some mountain time first week of Jan.
I will most likely be solo and mainly looking at doing some trail running in the lower berg but would like to get some hiking/fast packing in.
I was potentially thinking of doing Camel, Twins Cave and down Bell Traverse in 2 days as one option and option 2 would probably be Mwneni, Ledges Rockeries.
But as i have never done much around the Monks Cowl/Injisuthi areas I would be keen on some feedback from you guys on what options would be best for me for a safe over nighter on top.
Ultimately I would like to target 20 - 30km a day and do a round loop.
And lastly I would appreciate some feedback on what areas are the so called safest to go to as a solo hiker and where to stay away from.
Thanks
Rob
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- robfanucchi
-
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 11
- Thank you received: 0
23 Nov 2020 14:56 #76324
by Riaang
Replied by Riaang on topic Solo hiking in the Berg
Hi Rob,
Welcome on VE!
In the Moncs area you can start at the camp and then go via Blind Mans Corner to Keith Bush Camp at the base of Grays pass. Go up Grays and you can sleepover in Nkosazana cave if you don't want to tent. Not your 30km's, but if you want to get the miles in, continue north to Didima cave. From here or Nkosazana cave, go south and then go down Ships Prow South and back to the camp via Cowl fork and Shada ridge. This route should give you a proper workout. Else, if you don't want to go down via Ships Prow pass, simply retrace your steps of the previous day.
Downloads for the routes can be found in the downloads section on this site.
In the Injasuthi are, a nice route would be to start at camp and go past Marble Baths up Leslies pass, and once on the escarpment you turn south, go take a selfie on mafadi and head down to Upper Injasuthi Cave for the night. Next day, go south over the Trojan wall, and then down to either Corner (maybe not as a single hiker as there are a number of scrambles on this pass) or Judges pass. Just watch out at the bottom of Judges pass that you don't miss the turnoff to the contour path at 2200m ASL, as it isn't marked. Get on the contour path to Centenary hut, down heartbreak hill and back to camp.
Enjoy!!!
Welcome on VE!
In the Moncs area you can start at the camp and then go via Blind Mans Corner to Keith Bush Camp at the base of Grays pass. Go up Grays and you can sleepover in Nkosazana cave if you don't want to tent. Not your 30km's, but if you want to get the miles in, continue north to Didima cave. From here or Nkosazana cave, go south and then go down Ships Prow South and back to the camp via Cowl fork and Shada ridge. This route should give you a proper workout. Else, if you don't want to go down via Ships Prow pass, simply retrace your steps of the previous day.
Downloads for the routes can be found in the downloads section on this site.
In the Injasuthi are, a nice route would be to start at camp and go past Marble Baths up Leslies pass, and once on the escarpment you turn south, go take a selfie on mafadi and head down to Upper Injasuthi Cave for the night. Next day, go south over the Trojan wall, and then down to either Corner (maybe not as a single hiker as there are a number of scrambles on this pass) or Judges pass. Just watch out at the bottom of Judges pass that you don't miss the turnoff to the contour path at 2200m ASL, as it isn't marked. Get on the contour path to Centenary hut, down heartbreak hill and back to camp.
Enjoy!!!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
24 Nov 2020 11:31 #76328
by robfanucchi
Replied by robfanucchi on topic Solo hiking in the Berg
Great thanks for the Feedback Riaan,
Out of the 2 options you mentioned below, what are your current thoughts on safety for a solo hiker and spending the night out at the 2 spots you suggested?
Cheers
Out of the 2 options you mentioned below, what are your current thoughts on safety for a solo hiker and spending the night out at the 2 spots you suggested?
Cheers
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- robfanucchi
-
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 11
- Thank you received: 0
24 Nov 2020 12:37 - 24 Nov 2020 12:44 #76329
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Solo hiking in the Berg
Hi Rob
Personally for Monks Cowl I'd do a lower berg loop with Jacobs Ladder past Stable Cave and Vaalribbokop Cave, Zulu cave, Hlathikhulu Neck and Blind Mans Corner.
If you want a night on top I'd go up Grays Pass and come back down it.
Ships Prow solo is not a greatest idea
Personally for Monks Cowl I'd do a lower berg loop with Jacobs Ladder past Stable Cave and Vaalribbokop Cave, Zulu cave, Hlathikhulu Neck and Blind Mans Corner.
If you want a night on top I'd go up Grays Pass and come back down it.
Ships Prow solo is not a greatest idea
Last edit: 24 Nov 2020 12:44 by Smurfatefrog.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Smurfatefrog
-
- Offline
- Moderator
-
Less
More
- Posts: 1072
- Thank you received: 1464
25 Nov 2020 13:51 #76333
by Riaang
Replied by Riaang on topic Solo hiking in the Berg
Agreed with Smurfatefrog,
Ships Prow is much more remote and potentially dangerous. Also more difficult terrain to traverse.
Ships Prow is much more remote and potentially dangerous. Also more difficult terrain to traverse.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
17 Dec 2020 22:32 #76383
by Mister
Replied by Mister on topic Solo hiking in the Berg
Noob here.
Hello
Did a solo in Mnweni. I have to do solos as I blinked and suddenly all my friends got married. The alternative is to stay home and play video games. So SOLO hike in the berg it is....
Took the kitchen sink in terms of equipment to cover all possible problems.
It helped keep me safe by helping dealing with injuries but the heavy pack at 28 kg stopped me from reaching the escarpment.
Going to try again soon. I will try not to fall down dongas and slip and twist ankles on wet clay or almost die of heat stroke this time around
Hello
Did a solo in Mnweni. I have to do solos as I blinked and suddenly all my friends got married. The alternative is to stay home and play video games. So SOLO hike in the berg it is....
Took the kitchen sink in terms of equipment to cover all possible problems.
It helped keep me safe by helping dealing with injuries but the heavy pack at 28 kg stopped me from reaching the escarpment.
Going to try again soon. I will try not to fall down dongas and slip and twist ankles on wet clay or almost die of heat stroke this time around
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
18 Dec 2020 07:56 #76385
by mikedexter
Replied by mikedexter on topic Solo hiking in the Berg
Hi Guys,
I'm keen to do a 2-3 night solo hike within the next few days (need to be home before Christmas). I'm finding route planning tricky because of a few factors:
1. I don't have my tent with me so am limited to overnighting in caves
2. I want to avoid overnighting on the escarpment for security reasons
3. I want to err on the side of caution and avoid sketchy scrambles
I'm open to any area of the berg and am comfortable with ±15km per day (want to have some time for photography).
I could really do with some help on this!
Thanks
I'm keen to do a 2-3 night solo hike within the next few days (need to be home before Christmas). I'm finding route planning tricky because of a few factors:
1. I don't have my tent with me so am limited to overnighting in caves
2. I want to avoid overnighting on the escarpment for security reasons
3. I want to err on the side of caution and avoid sketchy scrambles
I'm open to any area of the berg and am comfortable with ±15km per day (want to have some time for photography).
I could really do with some help on this!
Thanks
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- mikedexter
-
- Offline
- New Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 9
- Thank you received: 9
19 Dec 2020 00:36 #76392
by TheRealDave
Replied by TheRealDave on topic Solo hiking in the Berg
The major trade-off with not sleeping on, or near, the top will be missing the good light. If you're willing to alter the criteria a little, you could do Tseketseke Hut on night one, then up Tseketseke and across to the Cockade/Elephant traverse, which is quite dramatic. You could catch some decent light there and still have time to make it to Twins Cave. Twins is not on the escarpment, but it's high and fairly safe (note that there have been incidents on the Bell Traverse in the past), and there's the Annex which is secluded. Then descend Mlambonja.
Another option, though again with a night on top, is to ascend Tseketseke, then traverse to the Ndumeni Caves/Dome Caves for night two. That area sees traffic, but if no-one were you to see you heading up to the Dome Caves, you'd be inconspicuous. Then you could descend The Camel (sketchy sections if wet) or Organ Pipes Pass (longer walk out). The views round Organ Pipes are also quite dramatic.
In the south there's the loop from Lammergeier Cave to Bushman's Cave, where, again, you're technically not on the escarpment but close to it with pretty good views. I had some lovely photographic conditions when I was at Lammergeier in September - dawn light breaking through a rising mist.
Some prior knowledge of the area, for the first two options, is advisable.
Another option, though again with a night on top, is to ascend Tseketseke, then traverse to the Ndumeni Caves/Dome Caves for night two. That area sees traffic, but if no-one were you to see you heading up to the Dome Caves, you'd be inconspicuous. Then you could descend The Camel (sketchy sections if wet) or Organ Pipes Pass (longer walk out). The views round Organ Pipes are also quite dramatic.
In the south there's the loop from Lammergeier Cave to Bushman's Cave, where, again, you're technically not on the escarpment but close to it with pretty good views. I had some lovely photographic conditions when I was at Lammergeier in September - dawn light breaking through a rising mist.
Some prior knowledge of the area, for the first two options, is advisable.
The following user(s) said Thank You: mikedexter
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- TheRealDave
-
- Offline
- Elite Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 193
- Thank you received: 243
23 Dec 2020 12:52 #76414
by robfanucchi
Replied by robfanucchi on topic Solo hiking in the Berg
Hi guys,
A few posts ago I had stated I would be going solo in the berg and you guys gave me great feedback so thanks for that.
But now I do have a Drakensberg newbie joining me (she is a competent hiker, but a bit of exposure might get to her), so now i have been looking at introducing her to the berg.
And after TheRealDave's comments above it got me think,
My two trip ideas are Mnweni (potentially 5 star cave or Chi Chi bush camp night 1 and then Ledges night 2, down Rockeries)
and the other would be,
Cathedral Peak Area (Tseketseke hut night 1, up pass, Cockade/Elephant, Twins Cave Night 2 and down Bell)
I have done Mnweni a few years but not in the last 4 years or so, but I am pretty familiar with the area.
I have never done Tseketseke Hut and Pass before, but I have done Rolands to Twins/Bell
So i basically have a few questions,
1) Does anyone know the safety situation in the Mnweni valley/ 5Star cave area for night 1? (Ledgers and the rest of the area im happy with)
2) Starting at Cathedral to the hut, how long roughly should this take?
3) What is the current safety situation on Twins/Bell Traverse?
4) How manageable is Tseke pass compared Mnweni pass?
5) Should I rather take a first timer down Mlambonja or stay on Bell?
6) And what route out of the 2 above in your own opinion would the best experience for a first time bergie?
Apologies about all the questions and thanking you in advance for any questions answered.
Rob.
A few posts ago I had stated I would be going solo in the berg and you guys gave me great feedback so thanks for that.
But now I do have a Drakensberg newbie joining me (she is a competent hiker, but a bit of exposure might get to her), so now i have been looking at introducing her to the berg.
And after TheRealDave's comments above it got me think,
My two trip ideas are Mnweni (potentially 5 star cave or Chi Chi bush camp night 1 and then Ledges night 2, down Rockeries)
and the other would be,
Cathedral Peak Area (Tseketseke hut night 1, up pass, Cockade/Elephant, Twins Cave Night 2 and down Bell)
I have done Mnweni a few years but not in the last 4 years or so, but I am pretty familiar with the area.
I have never done Tseketseke Hut and Pass before, but I have done Rolands to Twins/Bell
So i basically have a few questions,
1) Does anyone know the safety situation in the Mnweni valley/ 5Star cave area for night 1? (Ledgers and the rest of the area im happy with)
2) Starting at Cathedral to the hut, how long roughly should this take?
3) What is the current safety situation on Twins/Bell Traverse?
4) How manageable is Tseke pass compared Mnweni pass?
5) Should I rather take a first timer down Mlambonja or stay on Bell?
6) And what route out of the 2 above in your own opinion would the best experience for a first time bergie?
Apologies about all the questions and thanking you in advance for any questions answered.
Rob.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- robfanucchi
-
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 11
- Thank you received: 0
23 Dec 2020 13:14 #76415
by Smurfatefrog
1) Does anyone know the safety situation in the Mnweni valley/ 5Star cave area for night 1? (Ledgers and the rest of the area im happy with)
No security/safety issues, but obviously always be careful and don't leave valuables out at night or in plain sight
2) Starting at Cathedral to the hut, how long roughly should this take?
From the hotel via Ribbon Falls route its about 8km with 650m elevation gain. Obviously depends on fitness but 4 or 5 hours max
3) What is the current safety situation on Twins/Bell Traverse?
Same as 1
4) How manageable is Tseke pass compared Mnweni pass?
Tseke is harder; its has boulder hopping to start with, has a narrower path and a little exposure, while Mnweni is a "highway"
5) Should I rather take a first timer down Mlambonja or stay on Bell?
If you are going from Twins to the hotel in a day and fitness is a problem then Mlambonja and also if exposure is a problem. Bell is more scenic
6) And what route out of the 2 above in your own opinion would the best experience for a first time bergie?
They are both really scenic, personally I'd do the Tseke option but its definitely a bit harder.
Also bear in mind that Mnweni area has become very popular lately, so the caves may not be available
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Solo hiking in the Berg
Hi Rob,robfanucchi wrote: Hi guys,
A few posts ago I had stated I would be going solo in the berg and you guys gave me great feedback so thanks for that.
But now I do have a Drakensberg newbie joining me (she is a competent hiker, but a bit of exposure might get to her), so now i have been looking at introducing her to the berg.
And after TheRealDave's comments above it got me think,
My two trip ideas are Mnweni (potentially 5 star cave or Chi Chi bush camp night 1 and then Ledges night 2, down Rockeries)
and the other would be,
Cathedral Peak Area (Tseketseke hut night 1, up pass, Cockade/Elephant, Twins Cave Night 2 and down Bell)
I have done Mnweni a few years but not in the last 4 years or so, but I am pretty familiar with the area.
I have never done Tseketseke Hut and Pass before, but I have done Rolands to Twins/Bell
So i basically have a few questions,
1) Does anyone know the safety situation in the Mnweni valley/ 5Star cave area for night 1? (Ledgers and the rest of the area im happy with)
2) Starting at Cathedral to the hut, how long roughly should this take?
3) What is the current safety situation on Twins/Bell Traverse?
4) How manageable is Tseke pass compared Mnweni pass?
5) Should I rather take a first timer down Mlambonja or stay on Bell?
6) And what route out of the 2 above in your own opinion would the best experience for a first time bergie?
Apologies about all the questions and thanking you in advance for any questions answered.
Rob.
1) Does anyone know the safety situation in the Mnweni valley/ 5Star cave area for night 1? (Ledgers and the rest of the area im happy with)
No security/safety issues, but obviously always be careful and don't leave valuables out at night or in plain sight
2) Starting at Cathedral to the hut, how long roughly should this take?
From the hotel via Ribbon Falls route its about 8km with 650m elevation gain. Obviously depends on fitness but 4 or 5 hours max
3) What is the current safety situation on Twins/Bell Traverse?
Same as 1
4) How manageable is Tseke pass compared Mnweni pass?
Tseke is harder; its has boulder hopping to start with, has a narrower path and a little exposure, while Mnweni is a "highway"
5) Should I rather take a first timer down Mlambonja or stay on Bell?
If you are going from Twins to the hotel in a day and fitness is a problem then Mlambonja and also if exposure is a problem. Bell is more scenic
6) And what route out of the 2 above in your own opinion would the best experience for a first time bergie?
They are both really scenic, personally I'd do the Tseke option but its definitely a bit harder.
Also bear in mind that Mnweni area has become very popular lately, so the caves may not be available
The following user(s) said Thank You: bergbees
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Smurfatefrog
-
- Offline
- Moderator
-
Less
More
- Posts: 1072
- Thank you received: 1464
