Mlambonja Pass

Hi GriffBaker,

I've seen a number of flat spots around the Kakwatzi river you can use. Don't have co-ordinates for you, but I can describe the best of the bunch for you. When you come over the col from Twins cave and you start ascending via the footpath, don't go left to where the top of the pass is situated (with the kerns) but rather go straight up that short, steep, grassy section. Go down straight to the river (although this isn't quite possible due to the rocky outcrop in your way, so you will go slightly to the right to go around it, then curve in to the left again.). There is a spot down at the river (at the bend in the river) where (last time I was there) a bunch of rocks were packed where people made fire next to the river. This area could easily accommodate 5 tents. In this vicinity are a number of other flat spots to pitch tents.

Enjoy!

Hi All
Just a quick question about the path from the C5 side that drops into the valley to the tree campsite.  Looking at the GE screen grab, I was wondering if the path splits and continues 'straight' as well as down to the campsite? The pink route is the one that drops down to the campsite, the yellow seems like path, but not the one I am interested in doing.  Is there a possable blue route which I am interested in as I don't wish to drop into the river and camp, I want to by-pass having to do the river and boulder hopping section.  Any thoughts? 

Hi Serious Tribe -
I've walked Mlambonja Pass twice in Aug 2024 (one up, one down) and once in Feb 2025 (down). 
My conclusion, having fussed over the route in this section, is that you are better off on the Pink route - though see below because there is more than one Pink option.

I know you are asking about the blue route but to get to blue you need a bit of yellow and I tried the yellow route twice (both on the way down). It follows a shallow river course and seems, in places, like it was or is or would like to be the path. I gave up on it both times after about 50 m because it was so overgrown. The river was far better. I would have persisted on yellow if it were do-able.

On the Pink descent to the tree, there is more than one path. One branch descends extremely steeply down a horribly eroded gully. This option is slightly higher up valley. The better option breaks off slightly lower down the valley. This descent to the tree on this branch is civilised. The split between the two is not particularly clear. We hit the nasty descent the first time and avoided it by accident the second and third times.





 

Hi Tiska
Thanks for you response.  Tony M and I went up and down toward the end of April for our MlamButtNorth trip, and used the pink route on both occasions.  I cant recall which of the pink descents we used, though it did feel steep, but nothing out of the ordinary.  If I had space and time for a machete I would hack out a decent path along the yellow blue route for those who just want continue past the camp.  It is indeed a tricky little section

The blue route is the one we normally follow. Depending on season and foot traffic, there is either a path or not (typically in the rainy season the path is overgrown). I've never found it to be difficult terrain, but it is a bit up and down and left and right around and over all the obstacles. I basically just stay on the side of the riverbed and head down for the large tree at the campsite. The amount of bushwacking is nothing compared to say for instance what you would find in the Ships Prow riverbed. Once you've done that one, you have a completely new perspective on bushwacking

I have just added an October 2019 burnt view of the area.  I dont see a distinctive path on the blue route that you are using Riaang which i would have thought given that all the foliage is burnt.  But that does give me some hope that if you used it, it is theoretically there.  And of course, it does depend on the season.  

I have added in blue routes for ther small drainage line which might be what Tiska is referring to.  Certainly not as bad as ships, but bushwhacking is not my favourite past time, especailly after it has rained

Also of interest, is the orange section that has been carved away since all that flooding we had in 2022 and 23.

 

ST, the path has always been very faint. I've often missed it at the starting point, while looking for it, so there is no way you will see it on Google Earth. Here's how I usually find the path, after I figured it out.

We normally have our first stop coming down Mlambonja pass at that spot where the path to One Tree Hill exits to the left (true left), as you are descending the pass. There is a section of relatively smooth flat rock with the stream 2 to 3m from the top of the rock plate. There used to be a grassy spot right above the rock, but alas, it got destroyed 2 years or so ago after some flooding. Still, normally the upper section of the rock plate is dry and we park off here for a quick bite to eat and drink.

Once done we saddle up and head straight down the rock, hop over the small stream and climb over the pile of rocks about 2.5m high immediately behind the stream. The path starts at the top of the rock pile and it immediately veers off slightly to the left. It took me a few hikes to figure this out. I used to go right, which always ended up in bushwacking. People naturally tend to walk to the right so there appears to be what is a faint path, and there is, but it leads to the bushwacking section. Keep left, closer to the river but not in it and you should be fine. It's worked for us and after having tried various different routes it is my current go to route. Will try to remember to take some pictures for you next time I'm there.

Serious tribe wrote:

I have just added an October 2019 burnt view of the area.  I dont see a distinctive path on the blue route that you are using Riaang which i would have thought given that all the foliage is burnt.  But that does give me some hope that if you used it, it is theoretically there.  And of course, it does depend on the season.  

I have added in blue routes for ther small drainage line which might be what Tiska is referring to.  Certainly not as bad as ships, but bushwhacking is not my favourite past time, especailly after it has rained

This image is hidden for guests.

Also of interest, is the orange section that has been carved away since all that flooding we had in 2022 and 23.

 

 

Hi again ST -
The drainage line I was referring to is the pale blue line in the first of your satellite photos (not the darker blue in the second of the two satellite photos you uploaded). 
The path I followed going down valley was in a shallow drainage line, like a ditch, about half a meter to a meter below the surrounds. As I said, it looked like a path. And looked also like a drainage line. But it became more and more overgrown the closer the ditch got to the ascent out of the river. I just couldn't get through. I started following that path because it coincided with a cairn on the true right hand bank of the river. The cairn was separate from the set of cairns that was marking the way-to-go down the river. The cairn on the true right hand bank had the hallmarks of a 'this is where you can exit the river' sign.

All in all this section of the trail is a mess. In another thread (probably the one about the campsite near the tree) I suggested that it would be a good deed if someone cleaned up the path along a stable bank section - maybe even the drainage ditch. It would only take a pair of small hand-held cutters to get rid of the woody growth. I don't expect the staff ever make it this far away from the work place and those that I have seen would need a chopper ride out if they did ever manage to get to that extreme altitude.

 

With dropping down into the Mlambonja riverbed via the 1TreeHill path, I took the opportunity to snap a couple of pics of the section under discussion recently. Maybe this view will help you "see" the path/terrain better. It's a closer-up image than what you'd get on Google Earth. But, in all honesty, it's not difficult to find your way through the undergrowth here. Much easier than say going up Ships.