Winter hiking in the Drakensberg
17 Jul 2017 15:19 #71873
by DorkyHero
Replied by DorkyHero on topic Winter hiking in the Drakensberg
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
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
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Winter hiking in the Drakensberg
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
No snow gear will be required, just warm gear
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18 Jul 2017 08:44 #71880
by DorkyHero
Replied by DorkyHero on topic Winter hiking in the Drakensberg
Okay great stuff, we'll give that a try! Thanks for the advice.
How's the water situation on this loop?
How's the water situation on this loop?
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18 Jul 2017 11:19 #71882
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Winter hiking in the Drakensberg
No issues at all, you follow lower berg valleys and there is plenty water on the escarpmentDorkyHero wrote: 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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23 Jul 2017 17:52 #71917
by makeyser
Replied by makeyser on topic Winter hiking in the Drakensberg
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
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
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Winter hiking in the Drakensberg
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
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