State of path | Monks Cowl - Eastman's Ridge - Tlhanyaku

Hi everyone,

For the Easter weekend, we are planning to do a loop from Monk's Cowl via the contour path at Eastman's Ridge, up Tlhanyaku and down Grays. I've descended Tlhanyaku once before (exiting to Didima's side) and have done Gray's numerous times. I was wondering whether anyone might have any knowledge of the state of the path between M1a (@Gatberg) to the C41a junction at Tlhanyaku? Firephish's recent comments on the sections to the north have prompted me to ask 

This section has been on my mind for many-a-year now and would love to give it a go. 

This might help.

Thank you TheRealDave & Smurfatefrog,

It certainly does look like the path stretches to infinity    A completely subjective question if you don't mind: are the views worth it or does Eastman's Ridge perhaps block the view of the high peaks? When we did the escarpment edge variation of the GT on this section, we found the views of Witch Peak and the Dragon's Back quite refreshing. 

Another alternative that we are considering is to rather start from Didima, ascend Xeni South Fork and descend Tlhanyaku. 

I did this section in 2017 in the direction you have indicated and found the path fairly good and pleasant. I then did it with others in reverse (came down ThuThumi) in 2019. I have not covered the section over Eastman's Peak. The path is long but generally not too strenuous, although it does drop steeply when crossing the stream from Vulture's Retreat. That is where the bushy section is encountered and it is not very pleasant as it has some low hanging branches and trees, which make it harder for taller persons (we had one in our party and he was not impressed). I found the scenery outstanding and on a different level to what is normally experienced when going straight up a pass. I can concur with Smurfatefrog on the tiring effect, as on the second trip we began plodding near the end of the day. I have included some pictures to illustrate the scenery and some more information can be found at this post Eastman's Ridge camping spots .
 
 Above Zulu Cave near contour path at M1

 
View to Dragons Back from corner of Gatberg

 
View to Eastman's Peak from corner of Gatberg

 
View up to Vurture's Retreat

 
View back towards Cathkin

 
View back towards Cathkin from c15

 
View on towards Cathedral from c15

 
View towards Eastman's from c15
 

Supertramp,

We are planning of doing that exact route soon, but in a clockwise direction. Did it a few years ago and then the "path" was already no more. The only way we could figur eout where the "path" was supposed to be going, was to follow the lie of the land and some interesting grasses that were growing where the footpath used to exist. These grasses had a sort of dark/black colour to the top parts (the seeds), which was quite unique. There is NO path through the riverbed section to the other side (near gatberg), so prepare for some interesting bundubashing till you get up higher on the ridges. There was a section of eroded "path" we came down with partially to the riverbed, so if you aim for this it should assist in getting onto the ridge.

We slept on the NW side of gatberg near a stream/waterall, not sure where you are planning to overnight on day 1 but this spot is sort of in a small valley where you work your way in and around the backside of Gatberg. Travelling wetwards, we found a relatively level spot on the right side of the path maybe 50m or so from the stream. Super nice spot. relatively flat, not too many clumps of grass, near water, beautiful views. Can't wait for next month to visit this spot again.

We could still see the path hopping over Eastmans ridge towards the base of Thlanyaku pass, so hopefully that is still there. Coming down the pass we couldn't find the connecting path linking up to this ridge path (I blame my wife for getting us lost - she was walking in front ) so we were forced to bundubash up the ridge in a near vertical line. Kinda reminded me of Pins Pass i.t.o. steepness. If you can find the path hopping over Eastmans ridge the gradient should be much easier. If you do, please send me your track as I am still missing the "correct" path for this section.

Sterkhorn wrote:

I did this section in 2017 in the direction you have indicated and found the path fairly good and pleasant. I then did it with others in reverse (came down ThuThumi) in 2019. I have not covered the section over Eastman's Peak. The path is long but generally not too strenuous, although it does drop steeply when crossing the stream from Vulture's Retreat. That is where the bushy section is encountered and it is not very pleasant as it has some low hanging branches and trees, which make it harder for taller persons (we had one in our party and he was not impressed). I found the scenery outstanding and on a different level to what is normally experienced when going straight up a pass. I can concur with Smurfatefrog on the tiring effect, as on the second trip we began plodding near the end of the day. I have included some pictures to illustrate the scenery and some more information can be found at this post Eastman's Ridge camping spots .


 

Thank you for sharing this excellent info, Sterkhorn & Smurfatefrog, it is highly appreciated! The views definitely do look amazing and unique. I am quite tall myself (1.93m) but think we will do some mental prep for those sections beforehand and take it as a "necessary evil". Long stretches of contour path are always a good mental challenge (think Langies base all the way to Elandshoek). 

Riaang wrote:

Supertramp,

We are planning of doing that exact route soon, but in a clockwise direction. Did it a few years ago and then the "path" was already no more. The only way we could figur eout where the "path" was supposed to be going, was to follow the lie of the land and some interesting grasses that were growing where the footpath used to exist. These grasses had a sort of dark/black colour to the top parts (the seeds), which was quite unique. There is NO path through the riverbed section to the other side (near gatberg), so prepare for some interesting bundubashing till you get up higher on the ridges. There was a section of eroded "path" we came down with partially to the riverbed, so if you aim for this it should assist in getting onto the ridge.

We slept on the NW side of gatberg near a stream/waterall, not sure where you are planning to overnight on day 1 but this spot is sort of in a small valley where you work your way in and around the backside of Gatberg. Travelling wetwards, we found a relatively level spot on the right side of the path maybe 50m or so from the stream. Super nice spot. relatively flat, not too many clumps of grass, near water, beautiful views. Can't wait for next month to visit this spot again.

We could still see the path hopping over Eastmans ridge towards the base of Thlanyaku pass, so hopefully that is still there. Coming down the pass we couldn't find the connecting path linking up to this ridge path (I blame my wife for getting us lost - she was walking in front ) so we were forced to bundubash up the ridge in a near vertical line. Kinda reminded me of Pins Pass i.t.o. steepness. If you can find the path hopping over Eastmans ridge the gradient should be much easier. If you do, please send me your track as I am still missing the "correct" path for this section.

Thanks for the great advice Riaang, it will come in very handy to know what to expect. When do you plan on doing your trip? 

W.r.t the river section east of Gatberg, I also see on the Slingsby Map that it indicates "Thick Bush" which sounds like a generous warning and is aligned with your 1st hand experience   

Our intention is to push as far as we can from Monks Cowl Office moving westwards, hoping to find a suitable camping spot on the eastern side of Eastman's Ridge. The spot as on Sterkhorn's post looks quite stunning. 

I will definitely share our track if we are so lucky to find the "correct" hop-over to Eastman's Ridge. 

Towards the end of April 2023

That entire NE section near Gatberg has amazing views. We selected the spot near the stream over the path as we found a mostly flat and level camping spot near water here. Looks very similar to C15. It was kind of an obvious choice as it was also the flattest section on the contour path in this area, and it was near water. If I remember correctly it's about 15 or 16kms from Moncs Cowl camp, so relatively decent distance for day one, especially if you arrive a bit later. You could also push through to Schoongezigt cave, which I really enjoyed sleeping over in.

Whichever place you choose to overnight, enjoy this hike!