Cathedral Peak general hiking snippets

Hi GetaPix

Other good photographic spots are:

1. Depending on the cloud and lighting, there are opportunities taking in the northern escarpment ridges towards Devil's Tooth, once you have crossed over to the northern slopes of the traverse near the Horns. Soon after you have made this crossover, the path takes a steep climb up the slopes (true path) - up this slope there are opportunities for interesting framing using the enclosing rocks on either side of the path
2. Backwards shots (particularly if you get in the afternoon shadows) of Cathedral, the Bell and the Chessman as you get nearer to Twins
3. Early morning shots from Twins cave across towards Devil's Tooth (especially with the sunrise colours at this time of the year)
4. Sunrise pictures from the top of Tseketseke Pass over the false pass as well as overlooking the Elephant, Plume, etc
5. Backwards shots near the escarpment along the flattish valley as you approach Cleft Peak
6. Shots of the Organ Pipes taken from the top of Castle Butress
7. Sunset and sunrise shots from Roland cave

Another good area for future reference is Gray's Pass (great opportunities back towards Cathkin/Sterkhorn), Dragon's Back from the top of the waterfall and Vulture's Retreat.

Some images as examples -

From Dragon's Back:
{joomplu:301}

Across to Rockeries from Horns:
{joomplu:304}

Column and Pyramid:
{joomplu:302}

Enjoy!

"Sterkhorn"

Thanks so much for your feedback here. Stunning angle you got here from Dragonsback - one of my favourite spots. Your suggestions is noted. Im not familiar with Roland cave and will look it up..Is it in Catherdral area?

Thanks once again. It's getting close to leaving Thursday earley and it looks like the weather is going to be perfect for photography. Sometimes we have to get lucky.

Regards
Rian

@intrepid

Tarn Cave - Bushmen's Neck, Southern Drakensberg - brilliant view of Devils Knuckles
Closest water source is a Tarn on the ridge above the cave

The nearest main river is back at Sehlabathebe Lodge or down in the valley pretty much as far as Cedric's Pool. Quite a mission if the Tarn is dry!

Hopefully with these recent cold fronts it will have filled up a bit. I am sure when I went passed there on the way back from Sehlabathebe in Aug last year the Tarn still had some water in it.

check out:
www.mountainbackpackers.co.za/details/tarn-cave.html

hi there - i have just done didima - organ pipes pass - malambonja - this is a fantastic hike - but up organ pipes windy gap is not an easly walk - lol the scenery is fantasic - lots of photo opps here ! have posted some pics of organ pipes - covered in snow - this hike was very cold but well worth it - the view from the base of the elephant - cockade pass has to be one of my all time favorites - its stunning ! once you are up its not too bad and the path towards the elephant from organ pipes is more distance than difficult - we had no problem with water - other than it was in a solid state - ha ha - but i think even in summer you should be able to get water as there are a number of small streams from which you can get water - this hike has some very scenic places to take photos - you will def not be dissapionted !! dave pearson

Hi al you mountain lovers and hikers. I'm planning a 4 day hike in the berg in June. Could someone tell me if there is enough space for 4 tents near the Tseketskeke hut? I recall there were a few spots, but can't remember if suitable for 4 tents.

Thanks

Thanks for the reply. Our group has now shrunk to 7 which reduced the number of tents to three only. The last time I had a look inside the hut it was quite dirty. I figured the tent option would probably be better and warmer. We would like to go up Windy Gap and spend two nights on top of the escarpment, coming down via the bell traverse. The idea is to camp somewhere on contour path altitude on the first night before going up “groot” berg.

Hi Dan. Why dont you camp just before Camel ridge. There are space for more than 3 tents and water is only about 500m away on the contour path to the south. From there you can start you day with the pass ensted of walking back tseki.

Thanks. I'm starting to think that might be the best option. I just wanted to alter, extend and make the aproach to Windy Gap a bit more challenging by going up past Xeni cave and along the contour towards Tseketseke hut, instead of straigh towards and over camel.