The Bell Traverse

Hi guys.

Also planning on potentially doing the Bell traverse in the March school holidays and just want to find out where can we sleep over before the hike these days?

The last time we did it we camped at Didima the night before. Is that still an option or is that door closed now?

Was hoping to camp Didima and start CP hotel->up Camel-> Roland's first night. Over Cleft Peak, Twins Annex Second night. Bell Traverse->Orange Peel Gap-> CP hotel -> camp Didima again. 

Thanks.

Hi Andreas,

Unfortunately Didima campsite has been closed for quite some time with no plans to open it again.

The closest to camp is Bergville caravan park.  Depending when you arrive at Cathedral, you could start the hike and camp in the lower berg before you ascend the Camel.

Hi Sabine.

Thank you for the feedback, appreciate it.

Also look at ATKV Resort at Drakensville........ about 76 km from Cathedral Peak Hotel.

Andreas,

Why not spend your first night in the mountains? We also used to camp at Didima, but since the campsite's closure, we always hike up and sleep somewhere on the lower berg. If you don't want to tent, why not consider Ribbon falls cave? We've often done the stretch from CPH to Ribbon falls in the dark, the path is clear and easy to follow and adds a bit of excitement to the hike. It definitely makes for an easier day 2

For doing the Bell traverse, we sleep over in Sherman's cave. Same reason as above. Yes, you might arrive a bit later at your sleep over location (say max 2 hours later), but then the next day is easier.

Enjoy!!!

Can anyone confirm whether or not the sketchy Mitre section has gotten worse over the last ten years? I did the Bell Traverse in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2017. I remember it as very exposed from these visits, but not scary (in fact, in 2017 I went back and forth over it, ferrying backpacks). In February 2020 I did the BT gain, and this time around, I was absolutely petrified. My friend had to ferry my backpack across the section. Granted, it was very wet, where it was dry during my middle three visits, but it was also very wet on my first visit, and I don't remember it as being that bad.

From the Feb 2020 visit, I distinctly remember a longish stepover without positive handholds, requiring balance - not a comfortable move with an overnight pack! To be fair, the footholds were good, but being wet they didn't inspire the confidence that I required.

Did I just grow scared with age or has this section deteriorated?

Gollum,

That section has always been sketchy, even when conditions are dry. I kinda approach it like the approach to Rolands. It's not difficult, but if you rush it or are careless, the consequences will in all likelihood be very, very unpleasant. I made this mistake on Rolands once. After carrying in the 4th backpack, I went outside to get mine. By now I was VERY familiar with the walk-in and was very blase about the whole affair. Boy, did I get a quick wake-up call as I got to the crux section. I slid on gravel on the rock and fortunately fell into the rock, as opposed to off the edge. From that specific moment forward I completely changed my approach to dangerous sections. It doesn't matter how many times I've done it, I now go slow and make sure my movements are deliberate, taking into account the weight and movement of my pack.

It's the same on this section of the Bell Traverse. The step down (or up, depending on which way you travel) can be challenging, especially if you have shorter legs. Just go slow, take care and you should be fine, even if the terrain has deteriorated. Else, just take a different route you feel more comfortable with. Problem is on this section isn't really an easy alternative, but you can consider backtracking 50-100m and walk below it.

Very sensible words from Riaang.

I last did the Bell Traverse in 2019. It was dry, grassy, warm, we were not tired and the wind was calm. The step section on the Mitre was fine and the 4 of us moved through without much comment.

Sections like this can be a completely different story even a day or so later. Game changers include:
1) cold and therefore ice which is frictionless even with the best of intentions and confidence
2) fire which removes Berg crux pitch hand-holds in the form of grass. A firm handful of tough berg grass is an incredibly strong support. Fire removes not only the grass but the binding potential of the soil so that whole clumps of unburnt roots can be pulled up
3) wet especially greasy wet which has been around a few days or more
4) strong winds, especially with a backpack on since the backpack changes the way you would naturally need to counter the wind.

The other key thing is ability to hold on with arms only and possibly one arm with your own weight PLUS backpack weight. That isn't something we do every day but it would likely save a life if a foothold gave way. When you rock climb it typically isn't with a 15 kg backpack. When you do the tricky step overs on something like the Bell Traverse it often does involve a backpack (body weight plus 15 kg).

And then tiredness/altitude which can influence balance.

 

Fully agree with both Riaang and tiska. To build on tiska's 2nd point: Nguza pass' crux section is a good example of how a recent fire (Sept 2020) can severely impact the safety of a certain section:  www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/drakenberg-passes-amangwane-mnweni/53697-nguza-pass.html?start=30

Having done the Bell Traverse 9 times spread out over the last 7 years (most recently at the end of March 2021), I can't conclusively say, in my opinion, that this section has deteriorated or gotten any more difficult. What I however have observed is that my experience of the section differs every time (in either direction, wet or dry). On some occasions I find that my heart skips a couple of beats and on others I find it to be a complete dolly. For me it boils down to my state of mind at that moment and whether I can stay focused and calm. I must honestly say that I tend to stress more on behalf of my hiking partners (than I do myself) as each of them crosses (probably because of the added responsibility of being the hike leader, having chosen the specific route and wanting to ensure everyone's safety). 

Maybe just an unrelated comment on this topic: I have the habit of scanning through the mountain register every time and a notable observation from my recent visits to the Didima area (in comparison to previous times), is the growth in the number of groups that do the Bell Traverse. When I started out hiking, the route had a bit of stigma to it and before I got to know the likes of Basecamp and VE, I can vividly remember looking at the marked red section of the route on the map and being a bit "afraid" of the unknown. All things considered, I guess there will always be an element of controlled / calculated risk taking when it comes to being in and enjoying the mountains, and for me it is a big part of why I am drawn to them. This level of risk is of course subjective to each of us and it always helps to make decisions with as much information as possible. 

Concur with the above: I don't know whether the ledge has deteriorated, but though it's exposed, moving slowly and carefully, I never felt I had to lose a sure foothold or handhold. There are sure steps; one just needs to plot the moves methodically. My hiking partner was also scared of this section and wanted to turn back, so I ferried his pack, but with guidance he managed it just fine. I would be very wary of this section in wet conditions.

Where there does seem to have been some deterioration is shortly after the ledge, where a combination of erosion and rockfall has made the ground quite loose. I unfortunately don't have pics of this section, as we just wanted to get passed it.