Amphitheatre Routes
13 Jun 2012 11:14 #54312
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Amphitheatre Routes was created by intrepid
I'm trying to gather beta on Liebenberg's route up the Amphitheatre wall.
I haven't been able to find a picture so far which clearly brings out the system of "W" shaped grass ledges which are a critical feature described in the MCSA RD. Does anyone have a good photo depicting this?
Also wonder if anyone can confirm how easy it is to find the start of the route from Inner Tower Gully? And are the Park-Ross and Gully Route Variations any good, or is it better to stick to the main route?
Any info appreciated.
I haven't been able to find a picture so far which clearly brings out the system of "W" shaped grass ledges which are a critical feature described in the MCSA RD. Does anyone have a good photo depicting this?
Also wonder if anyone can confirm how easy it is to find the start of the route from Inner Tower Gully? And are the Park-Ross and Gully Route Variations any good, or is it better to stick to the main route?
Any info appreciated.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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20 Jun 2012 18:09 - 21 Jun 2012 18:59 #54449
by RobD
Replied by RobD on topic Re: Amphitheatre Routes
I did the Park-Ross variation route in the 1990's, ascending the right-hand buttress, traversing the grass W to meet the Liebenberg route on the left buttress, abseiled into the exit gully and exited up this gully onto the plateau. The start of this route from the Tugela river below is clearly marked by the free-standers which can also be seen from the top af the Amphitheatre. Incidentally, we surprised a pair of mountain reedbuck on the grass W. Not sure who got more of a fright!
It is a fairly straight-forward route from a route-finding position - the most dangerous part of it is the rocks thrown off the top by day-walkers. Pics to follow.
It is a fairly straight-forward route from a route-finding position - the most dangerous part of it is the rocks thrown off the top by day-walkers. Pics to follow.
Last edit: 21 Jun 2012 18:59 by RobD. Reason: errors! It was not the Liebenberg route we did! I beg your pardon!
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21 Jun 2012 19:09 - 22 Jun 2012 06:10 #54480
by RobD
Replied by RobD on topic Re: Amphitheatre Routes
This pic shows the exit gully - the river running down the left of the pic. We abseiled from the pinnacles on the ridge.
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Last edit: 22 Jun 2012 06:10 by intrepid.
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09 Jul 2012 19:06 #54596
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Re: Amphitheatre Routes
Thanks so much for the info Rob.
I've had a difficult time identifying the W still. I can see where The Castle is, midway across the Amphitheatre, and shortly thereafter I can make out two conical buttresses which may be integral in the whole thing. And I guess I can imagine a W somewhere in it. How far across to the left (when facing the Amphitheatre from below) does the W spread? The reference to Inner Tower Gully initially had me thinking it was an expansive feature but the two conical buttresses now have me thinking it may be a fairly compact feature all close to The Castle. The other problem is I don't have a good photo with the right lighting to bring out the features clearly. Do you have a photo that does the trick?
I've had a difficult time identifying the W still. I can see where The Castle is, midway across the Amphitheatre, and shortly thereafter I can make out two conical buttresses which may be integral in the whole thing. And I guess I can imagine a W somewhere in it. How far across to the left (when facing the Amphitheatre from below) does the W spread? The reference to Inner Tower Gully initially had me thinking it was an expansive feature but the two conical buttresses now have me thinking it may be a fairly compact feature all close to The Castle. The other problem is I don't have a good photo with the right lighting to bring out the features clearly. Do you have a photo that does the trick?
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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10 Jul 2012 10:16 #54603
by RobD
Replied by RobD on topic Re: Amphitheatre Routes
Its a bit like those old 3D pictures - once you see it you'll always see it!
The 'W' is a big feature - the main bit of grass right in the centre of the Amphitheatre when viewed from Tendele. If the W comprises two V's, the left line of the left V is the right edge of the conical top of the left buttress; likewise the right line of the right V is the left edge of the top of the right buttress. The Castle is the middle of the W, each side of the Castle dropping down to the lowest point of each V. This sounds mighty confusing!! Hope it makes sense...
So Liebenberg's route climbs the left buttress and the Park-Ross route (the one we did) climbs the right buttress, traverses along the W to join the left buttress.
I have taken a pic from Wikipedia - the classic Amphitheatre pic that tourist brochures have - and have drawn a W on it. Not sure how it is going to come out. Zoom in about 400 times and you'll see the two buttresses slap bang in the middle of the Amphitheatre, with the W between.
I highly recommend the route. It was spectacular, and quite scary. Let me know...
The 'W' is a big feature - the main bit of grass right in the centre of the Amphitheatre when viewed from Tendele. If the W comprises two V's, the left line of the left V is the right edge of the conical top of the left buttress; likewise the right line of the right V is the left edge of the top of the right buttress. The Castle is the middle of the W, each side of the Castle dropping down to the lowest point of each V. This sounds mighty confusing!! Hope it makes sense...
So Liebenberg's route climbs the left buttress and the Park-Ross route (the one we did) climbs the right buttress, traverses along the W to join the left buttress.
I have taken a pic from Wikipedia - the classic Amphitheatre pic that tourist brochures have - and have drawn a W on it. Not sure how it is going to come out. Zoom in about 400 times and you'll see the two buttresses slap bang in the middle of the Amphitheatre, with the W between.
I highly recommend the route. It was spectacular, and quite scary. Let me know...
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02 Aug 2012 20:35 #54783
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Re: Amphitheatre Routes
Thanks again Rob that puts things into perspective for me. I was looking for a W reaching up to the escarpment edge. We may have a go at it around September and will let you know how we do.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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