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

Here are some photos of the Corner Pass - Mafadi - Leslie's loop taken during the MCSA Easter Hike led by AndrewP. What a great guy. Such a pleasure to meet you, and thanks so much for a great hike!

Camp near Centenary Hut on the Saturday morning:


En route to the Northern High Approach:


The Northern High Approach:


Approaching Corner Pass:


The bottom of Corner Pass:


And a classic Berg vista on our way to the campsite above the Triplets:


The next morning we awoke to a fierce wind, which blew down a couple of tents and bent my tent poles. That Andrew even attempted a Triplet in that wind is bonkers. As for Leslie's, either some maintenance has been done around the bushy stretch, or there was a wild fire, but in any case that section is now a little easier.

A most enjoyable hike. However, I have to say, that road to Injasuthi puts me off the area a bit. I'm sure it's nothing much in a 4x4, but if all you have is a hatchback, like me, then it's pretty rough going. I ended up with a leak in my oil sump on this occasion. Fortunately the handyman at Injasuthi, Robert, was able to patch it up, and I was very grateful for his skill and friendliness.

Hi Guys

I am sure I am not the first to ask the question...

I am looking into hike Mafadi Peak... any suggestion on the best route for 3/4 day hike?

Anyone have GPS path's that I can upload in my GPS?

Maybe:
Day 1: Camp at Marble baths
Day 2: Ascent up Leslies Pass to Mafadi and camp at Injasuti cave
Day 3: Descent to Centenary Hut...
Day 4: Back through the Injasuti valley...

Thanks for the advise

Anyone with GPS path they want to share?

I second what Viking said - rather go up Corner Pass than down it. Alternatively, you can stay on the contour path for longer and use Judge Pass - it is a great pass and has a trail the entire way, however the trail keeps going past the contour path, so if you don't watch out, you could end up going too far down.

The trick to finding Upper Injisuthi Cave - as you climb the trail towards Injisuthi Dome (that goes to the Mafadi/Injisuthi saddle), when the trail starts to swing around Injisuthi Dome, head for the Injisuthi/Trojan Wall saddle. From the saddle, contour around at the same altitude till you see a trail. This trail goes straight into the cave.

Regarding the route down from Mafadi - if you follow the long ridge (not the one that heads out towards the escarpment edge immediately in front of Mafadi - so aim for the 3375m on the map, not 3338m), and keep along the top of this ridge to the top of Leslies - this is one of the most scenic lines I have ever done in the Berg. Supposedly it is slower/harder than the valley route, but IMO it makes no real difference in terms of difficulty, but is far more scenic. There is a trail along this route, as well as cairns to mark it - although it periodically dies or becomes unclear. There are also cairns that are off route.

Also don't miss the escarpment edge above the Triplets - it is a really beautiful spot.

Ps. Mafadi is rarely done from Giants Castle, but isn't much further that way round - so remember that there are a few options. The nice thing about doing it from Injisuthi is that you can do a round trip with Judge/Corner/Around the Corner looped with Leslies. From Giants you can loop a large number of passes, but will have at least a degree of walking back the way you came - and if you stay on top for long enough to come down a different way, you will have to head over the Popple and Sanqebethu Ridges.

GPS track added for Judge Pass route from Giants side as requested via PM.

Final edit (I hope) : I see Smurf's track shows the line I was talking about to the cave and the high walkout line

Great Thanks guys

Talking to a few people they say I should rather take Judge's pass up cause corner might be little dangerous... the GPS paths that was giving was via corner... anyone have the path via judges?

Hi all,

I'm looking at doing an out-and-back from Injisuti to Mafadi next weekend. Plan was to use Corner Pass, but I've heard it may be a bit unstable at the moment? Can use Judges but adds another ~4km - anyone used Corner pass recently?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Chris

Some snow might be expected for the weekend. It might go away or stay. Just be careful!
Keep watch!