Tugela Falls - Mont Aux Sources - Crow's Nest Cave

Good morning everyone

This is my first time posting in this forum...so if I have this question in the wrong place, I sincerely apologize.

Myself and a friend are planning a hike for the weekend of the 23-25 Sep. I've been to the top of the falls before for an overnight and I'd love to share the experience with my friend. I'd also like to make it a 2 nighter instead and recently saw a video on YouTube of a couple that camped atop the falls for night one, hiked to the summit of Mont Aux Sources the next day and then camped in Crow's Nest Cave the 2nd night, then made their way back to Sentinel Parking lot on the 3rd day

My questions are:
1. Is this a viable plan?
2. Is sleeping in Crow's Nest safe/ok/allowed?... the video I saw of this couple, they made it look pretty ok.
3. Are there clear trails to the summit of Mont Aux Sources? Is it well walked?  

Thanks in advance for any guidance on the topic.

BigJay

HI BigJay

Be sure to find other threads on here that have covered this topic extensively.

My comments:

I would avoid sleeping at the waterfall to avoid the crowds but mostly from a security point of view. This risk is very small but this area has been targeted before and will be targeted again. usually only theft at night from your tent. Rather head to Ribbon Falls (south on escarpment) for first night after exploring the falls. 

No clear path to Mount Aux Sources - easy enough with a map and or GPS.

Crows Nest Cave is definitely worthwhile IF:1.  It is clean and not left in a mess by local sheperds (I have always found it clean though) 2. It is not occupied. 3. You can find it - not too hard but a GPS will help.

As an alternative you can sleep in the Elands Valley on the last night. There is also a nice cave/overhang north west of the chain ladder bottom, but exposed in weather. Sentinel cave is an option but no great view and cold.

Hope this helps

Hey BergAttie

Thanks for the speedy feedback...you guys are awesome.

So, I take your point about about the crowds, but given the security concern (which I have heard about lately), wouldn't there be some benefit in "safety in numbers"?, I mean, surely the locals would be less likely to try steal from a group of 10 tents than one or 2 single tents further apart from the crowd?
That said, I'm absolutely open to the suggestion of carrying on to Ribbon falls, except I can't seem to find it on any of the online maps at my disposal (granted, I could probably look harder). How far from Tugela falls is Ribbon falls roughly?

So your suggestion is, Sentinel car park - RibbonFalls via Tugela falls for day 1, Ribbon falls to Crow's Nest Cave via Mont Aux Sources peak for day 2 and then back to the car park on day 3?

 


 

...also a little confused about this...if someone can explain it that would be great.

  

Strength in numbers doe snot really work since generally the theft occurs at night while you are sleeping. Incidents of tents being cut open and valuables, shoes etc removed. Ribbon falls area is just more off the beaten track and unlikely to be targeted. That being said: Hundreds of people camp at Tugela falls without any issues. Just be aware of the associated risk should you decide to sleep there.

 

Bottom one close to broder is the real McCoy. Top one looks to be close to Crows Nest Cave

Attie, you sir are a scholar and a gentleman.
Thank you for your feedback.

I recall the first time I went to the top of the falls, the friend I hiked with (who'd been up there literally hundreds of times) said to not leave anything in my tent vestibules as those were items that would surely go missing by the sticky fingers of the locals. So as a practice I keep all my gear in the tent with me...although I'm sure even that isn't foolproof.

Thank you for the maps. They're awesome. How far roughly do you reckon Ribbon falls are from Tugela falls?

Thanks BigJay

4-5km

So I see you're planning on going up over the long weekend too Attie?