Winter hiking in the Drakensberg

17 Jul 2017 15:19 #71873 by DorkyHero
Hi Guys, I need some ideas.

We're heading into the berg this coming weekend (July 21st) and can't decide which passes to walk.

We will only have 2 nights / 3 days and would prefer something in the Mnweni / Northern part of the berg.

What routes / overnight spots would you recommend and what are the chances of needing snow gear?

Thanks, Matt

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17 Jul 2017 15:42 #71874 by Smurfatefrog
Do the classic Mnweni and Rockeries loop. With nights at 5 Star cave or ChiChi bush camp and Ledges/Mponjwane Cave (or vice versa)

No snow gear will be required, just warm gear

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18 Jul 2017 08:44 #71880 by DorkyHero
Okay great stuff, we'll give that a try! Thanks for the advice.

How's the water situation on this loop?

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18 Jul 2017 11:19 #71882 by Smurfatefrog

DorkyHero wrote: Okay great stuff, we'll give that a try! Thanks for the advice.

How's the water situation on this loop?

No issues at all, you follow lower berg valleys and there is plenty water on the escarpment

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23 Jul 2017 17:52 #71917 by makeyser
Hey everyone

I am going on an August berg hike with about 5 guys. We all have -5 rated sleeping bags & our tents are great. Everyone is of good fitness with one guy below average. I have done many summer & a few winter berg hikes.

We want to be out for 2 nights in the northern or central berg & getting to the escarpment would be great but I don't want to sleep up there in the cold winter conditions with our sleeping bags only being -5. I was thinking of setting up camp at Keith's bush camp and going up grays for the second day & back down to Keith's, but I'm a bit nervous to leave our gear unattended.

I've done Mnweni & cathedral peak (tseketseke hut night one & mlambonja river night 2) as winter hikes

Please could someone give me some good suggestions of where to go for this trip with safety & available water

Thanks a mil

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23 Jul 2017 18:30 #71918 by ghaznavid
Giants Castle is full of passes with caves around 2700m, so you don't sleep on top and makes for a well broken up 3 day hike. Spare Rib Cave on Bannerman Pass, Giants Cave on Giants Pass and Jarding Cave on Central Jarding Pass etc. Langalibalele Pass also has a camping spot around 2400m
The following user(s) said Thank You: gazastone, makeyser

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