Winter hiking in the Drakensberg

I would not be keen to have someone tied to me in a case of a fall. I think you'll end up with more persons injured and no one to rescue you or go for help.

Walking roped-up is not that easy because there should be very little slack in the rope at all times which is not that easy as you and the rest of the part will not have the same pace at all times and sections.

Crampons would be the way to go although with the price of this most Berg hikers will not go that far.

The solution:
Why can Hiking boots manufactures not make Hiking boots to take screw in spikes!!!???
Imagine you can carry "spikes" for if and when needed. The spikes I talking about would be like those in running spikes and would screw in like on golf shoes. You'll thus only need to carry the small spanner and the spikes which would not be more than 100g. You should then even have the option of using & buying extra and differend types of spikes i.e. longer, ect.

I agree with Boerkie. If you want to rope something, unless there is some form of gear/bolt/anchor between you or one of you is stationery and in a stable spot - the rope will just get in your way, get caught on rocks, vegetation etc.

Boerkie wrote: Why can Hiking boots manufactures not make Hiking boots to take screw in spikes!!!???

Strangely enough I was having that exact thought while shivering in a tent on Saturday night. It could be helpful in a summit gully like Gray's where there is mostly loose marble sized rocks.

I don't know of a local retailer but you can get hiking crampons for 100USD which beats falling down a steep slope. Check out www.kahtoola.com/hiking_crampons.php

Hi guys

Ive taken alot from searching through forums and threads and just love the site!!

Just a few questions as I need clarity on a few aspects:

Im doing my first winter 4 day hike to Mafadi.
We are going on the long weekend in June.
Im going with a group which has done the hike 2 or 3 times already aswell.
Im sharing a tent with one of my mates although need help with which sleeping bag to buy....
Ive got a Kway Zermatt 950 with an extreme rating of -5c. I know its not acceptable for berg winters, although could I buy an inner for it? They say it will add 8 degrees which will bring the extreme rating to -13c. Perhaps I could get away with that with some thermal clothing aswell at night?
My other option is to go and buy the thermashift 2 which is on special for R1600 at the moment, although dont have too much space on the budget and would rather buy proper boots...

Which brings me to the next question, Ive been hiking with my Merrell chameleon slam 2. done overnighters etc although they are not waterproof. should i rather get waterproof boots? Obviously it would be better although as said above, budget allows me to either choose between sleeping bag and hiking boots...

I have all the other kit as Ive been hiking for a year or 2 now although never done mid winter overnight hike in the berg...

Please help anyone...

Thanks so much for the prompt response

I think i will then stick to the shoes for this hike and invest in a sleeping bag.
Really think that's good value for money for the trail range!! WOW

If I dont buy the hiking boots, I will have a few extra bucks for a sleeping bag.
Thermashift 2 is on special at CUM. R1699. Ice breaker on special for R2500.
Everyone says Ice breaker is better although ratings look similiar?

Can one justify the R800 more for the Ice breaker?
Just breaks my heart buying a winter bag when I do alot more hikes in summer etc and will prob only use the winter bag once or maybe twice a year... Thats why I wanted to try and slide by with perhaps an inner..

Thanks for the advice!
Really helps alot

Overnight in the Berg winter is cold, really cold. We had a thermometer going down to something like -15 outside the tent. Ive only done it in a borrowed Ice wolf (-15) And I was one of the few people sleeping well. So yea definitely invest in a sleeping bag. And just because it's your winter bag doesn't mean you wont use it for the rest of the times up there, May/October with Snow gets nearly as cold and the bag will last you long. The ice breaker is perfect year round bag for the berg, Ive had mine for like 12 years now, u might still be cold in a cold winters night in it though.

On the other hand... I cant imagine you will die (not professional advice) in a -5 bag + an inner. (Although I would doubt inners adding 8 degrees). Especially not if you take a emergency thermal blanket to help you a bit and a good insulation mat between you and the ground. (My coldest night was without a mat, not with a bad sleeping bag)

On the subject of waterproof boots. They are a myth. I doubt ANY expensive gore tex shoe is capable of keeping you dry after a day of hiking in rain/mist. Its just not possible. Id say rather get a shoe that's comfortable when wet with proper holes for the water to run out