Corner Pass / Judge Pass, Mafadi, Leslie's Pass Loop

Hi andyP
I think it would be possible but only if you are supper fit and supper hard core, because the days will be verry long and if you do it in winter i am almost sure you will be walking the last bit of every day in the dark.

The first day would have to be up corner pass,the second day would be across the escarpment and down to the base of Leslie's there is a nice camp spot there, the third day would be past marble bathes back to injasuti.

I must say that you get a very early start on the first day as you don't want to be going up corner in the dark, start before the sun rises.

Four days is definitely better and safer.

If you were trying this in April or even October or November, you could get away with lighter packs as you don't have to carry to much cold weather gear. Given that you might want to try it in winter, you are going to have to be geared up for snow and potentially hazardous conditions, blizzards even. If there is a big snow dump, Corner Pass is going to be choked and will take a long time to get up, the two waterfalls will be iced up and might require you to carry rope to secure yourself while getting up them and hauling packs, that will add to the weight.

I would say you could do it in 3 days in a milder season with lighter packs, are v.fit and motivated and don't enjoy looking at mountain scenery.

We attempted this same route in 3 days a couple of years ago. ended up doing it in 4 very long days with lots of hiking at night! corner pass took a full day up in the snow and ice with a couple of slippery sections where we had to haul our packs up! the long section on the escarpment in snow also slowed us down quite a bit. we managed to descend from top of leslie's pass to the camp in one day, but didnt even have time to stop and eat!personally i wouldn't recommend doing it in 3 days, especially not in winter!

Thanks everyone for the valuable info, it has helped alot
We will probably do it at the end of June, so our packs will be pretty full. We will probably have to re - think our route as some guys have time restrictions. I think it would be un wise to try and squeze it into three days.
With regards to the pass, how technical is it and is it possible to do with a heavy pack and limited climbing equipment?

I've done the route Injesuthi camp, Corner pass, Leslies and back to Injesuthi three times before. Each time was in summer and each time took three days. First day was up to the mountain club hut (centenary). We left mid-late morning and arrived at the hut by 4pm. Next day we left very early from the hut and, went up corner pass and walked on to Upper Injesuthi cave. Next day we walked out down Leslies Pass. The longest day was walking out. Its not a hard day but it is a long day. We would have liked to have stayed over in Marble Baths, but an hour long swim there was good enough. The hardest part of the walk out was from the base of Leslies Pass to Marble baths because most of that stretch is tiring boulder hopping. The earliest we arrived back at Injesuthi camp on the three trips was about 2pm but that was with a 4am start from UIC. We weren't specially fit, but did start as early as we could and it was summer. As ever, bags were light - 12 kg or less. No tent.

I've not done the exact route in winter. However we did go up Injesuthi Pass to Upper Injesuthi cave and we then descended Corner Pass. Day one was to the base of Leslies. Day two was up Injesuthi and on to Upper Inj Cave and day three was down Corner pass. The hardest day was up Injesuthi Pass. We stumbled into Upper Injesuthi Cave at 5pm to find the cave full of snow. The next day, down Corner pass was tricky and as ST has pointed out, when the pass has snow, it is difficult. We only managed it because we abseiled the top section. I also remember jumping down into the snow at the lower tricky section.

If you go for three days, then start early from UIC on the way back and walk steadily. Once you're at Marble Baths you're effectively home. The path is good from there to the camp.

Thanks Interpid, I have found the website very helpfull! I had a look at the link and it has taken care of most of my questions I will post on how it went. We plan to go on the 24th of June (Hopefully there will be a bit of snow around).

Thanks for the run down mnt_tiska, it has helped alot. I think we will probably leave out going down Leslies as we enjoy photography and taking in the scenery. It will be to much of a push in winter.

Does anyone have any ideas on a three day hike, going up corner? Is there any terrain worth exploaring at the top of the pass?

Greetings,

I am busy planning our next berg hiking instalment which is to go up Leslies and then come down Judge Pass in September.

Any tips for finding and descending Judge Pass. I note that Corner Pass is close by and could be used to descend. Any views as to which is easier to get down?

Any guesses on the distance between the top of Leslies and Judge Pass?

Finally is anyone aware of recent security issues in that part of the range?

Regards
Rolf

Hi Rolf

Click on "Info on Berg Passes" at the bottom of the page.

Great info.