Berg Alert 2018

Thank you, will still be cautious, but this bit of info does give some peace of mind.

Thanks Tiska, that was my feeling too. Will also do the route in the opposite direction to what we had intended (Up Rockeries, and down Fangs). After you mentioned Pins cave I did some digging and I'm quite keen to try it out. Fangs is one of my favourites, but always keen to try out new caves! I came across a post of yours from 2012 where you mention its easy to find the cave once you're in Pins pass (I have Tony's GPS route file for the pass). But was wondering about the size and weather shelter qualities of the cave, as there doesn't seem to be much info on this cave!

Going Cathedral peak , Cleft peak , Grays pass coming weekend .Safe ? Any incidents ?
Regards
Joh

My (adult) kids are doing it. Last time I did it was 35 years ago ! Think they are doing a similar route , Cathedral parking lot , up to the camel , windy gap , sleep in a cave .Do Cathedral peak , then along escarpment , sleep in cave at Grays pass if there is place , then down Grays pass .Dont have details .Weather at this stage looks fine .So caves may be full , but they will use their tents , group of 4
Wish I was there

What is the security like around Organ Pipes (the Camel route) for a couple? Any incidences there?

@Vicki. Its becoming difficult to give advice on security in the Berg. Of course there are certain areas where the risk is greater, but all I can say is that there is a risk where ever you hike these days. The smaller the group the bigger the risk and hiking solo even more so...as one young man disappeared off the Bell Traverse route recently. Just be careful where you tent, keeping away from main pathways/thoroughfares (hiding your presence) On the Camel route the most important thing is to hike safe, being careful on the exposed parts!! Enjoy your hike

So we where in the Catherdal Peak area this last weekend (6 May 2018) and spotted on many occasion hoof prints (in the vacinity of Sherman's Cave were the best ) that I would have to say match that of a donkey. They where all headed down hill. We only wonder what must have happend over night as they where very fresh in the early morning. Just something to watch out for.

Vicki wrote: What is the security like around Organ Pipes (the Camel route) for a couple? Any incidences there?

If you're planning on spending a night near the top of Organ Pipes, don't camp: there's a lot of traffic up there. The Ndumeni Dome Caves are fairly secluded; Roland's Cave is very secluded.

GriffBaker wrote: I wonder if you were to venture up to the location of the Motibos' in the Fangs area with a Sotho interpreter and
get the shepherds permission to camp near their huts - if a similar
situation would occur. Take a bag of mealie meal up and share a meal.
Know your 'enemy' so to speak.

I am no expert on Basotho culture but I would assume that certain families tend to their livestock in
specific areas for generations. There may well be a family name that can
be associated with grazing their livestock in that specific valley.
These guys are all mostly youngsters and it is part of their right of
passage to manhood - to do their time in the mountains. Normally in any
initiation situation, there are elders or mentors that are there to
install a moral grounding. Find the family or village associated and get
them to install some disciplinary standard? I think this has been
discussed before in relation to the last incident.

I guess somebody needs to find the time. It would be great to go up to the area
with an interpreter and group of hikers with the sole intention of
interaction with the shepherds and lessening ambiguity.

Hi GriffBaker
Thank you for your thoughts on this.
Please refer to my 'Notes on Basotho Culture for Hikers and Overland
Travellers' published elsewhere on Vertical Endeavour. I posted them
some time ago but am hoping that they continue to provide some insights.
Philip

www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/23-lesotho-general/55284-notes-on-basotho-culture-for-hikers-and-travellers.html