Compassberg (2502m)
28 Mar 2016 14:24 - 28 Mar 2016 19:49 #67486
by Stijn
Compassberg (2502m) was created by Stijn
On Easter Sunday, Fran and I hiked up Compassberg, near Nieu-Bethesda. Since it's such a striking peak rising out of the Karoo, I know it's on many hikers' bucket lists. So here's some info...
It is accessed by following a gravel road about 40km in a Northerly direction out of Nieu-Bethesda. You can park vehicles at the Compassberg farmhouse, on the Northern side of the peak. Please contact Brenda on 0871504922 to arrange access in advance. We paid R50 per person.
The hike itself follows a jeep track for 6km to the base of the mountain, where it ends at a fence corner. From this point, you head directly up the summit via the ridge in front of you. There are faint traces of a path, but the route is well marked with cairns for the 1.5km and 550m ascent from the end of the jeep track.
The heading you follow is about 200 deg magnetic all the way up. There is a short, steep gully to aim for to get through the initial rock band and then the route continues up the Northern ridge to the summit, winding through a few very easy scrambles on the way. Enjoy the epic views from the top and retrace your steps back to the farmhouse.
We took 5h return at a comfortable hiking pace without many breaks due to the blasting icy wind, apparently quite common here. Well worth the drive to get there!
GPS track here: www.movescount.com/moves/move98702549
It is accessed by following a gravel road about 40km in a Northerly direction out of Nieu-Bethesda. You can park vehicles at the Compassberg farmhouse, on the Northern side of the peak. Please contact Brenda on 0871504922 to arrange access in advance. We paid R50 per person.
The hike itself follows a jeep track for 6km to the base of the mountain, where it ends at a fence corner. From this point, you head directly up the summit via the ridge in front of you. There are faint traces of a path, but the route is well marked with cairns for the 1.5km and 550m ascent from the end of the jeep track.
The heading you follow is about 200 deg magnetic all the way up. There is a short, steep gully to aim for to get through the initial rock band and then the route continues up the Northern ridge to the summit, winding through a few very easy scrambles on the way. Enjoy the epic views from the top and retrace your steps back to the farmhouse.
We took 5h return at a comfortable hiking pace without many breaks due to the blasting icy wind, apparently quite common here. Well worth the drive to get there!
GPS track here: www.movescount.com/moves/move98702549
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Last edit: 28 Mar 2016 19:49 by Stijn.
The following user(s) said Thank You: intrepid, JonWells, jamcligeo, ghaznavid, Smurfatefrog, tonymarshall, AdrianT, Papa Dragon, biomech
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