Cockade Pass
08 Nov 2021 09:25 #77292
by Beard
Replied by Beard on topic Cockade Pass
Not sure, but i too am curious as im keen to do Xeni.
i have had mixed reports about the route, thus doing Cockade with the bigger group on this hike.
Cockade, although very rocky, really is direct and doable with no real 'danger' elements.
You are not exposed to cliff, or steep banks with crazy drop offs. It really quote enjoyable - it does take some handy work as boulers are large, but the exposed drops are not a worry on this pass.
I take it Xeni may have some erosion that has give way to different, 'dangerous' routes.
i have had mixed reports about the route, thus doing Cockade with the bigger group on this hike.
Cockade, although very rocky, really is direct and doable with no real 'danger' elements.
You are not exposed to cliff, or steep banks with crazy drop offs. It really quote enjoyable - it does take some handy work as boulers are large, but the exposed drops are not a worry on this pass.
I take it Xeni may have some erosion that has give way to different, 'dangerous' routes.
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08 Nov 2021 18:31 - 08 Nov 2021 18:43 #77295
by grae22
Replied by grae22 on topic Cockade Pass
Ya that's the site marked on the slingsby maps, looks much the same as when we used it in 2016.
[Edit] Having reviewed my pics... it looks a LOT bushier
[Edit] Having reviewed my pics... it looks a LOT bushier
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Last edit: 08 Nov 2021 18:43 by grae22.
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07 Sep 2022 08:33 #77998
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Cockade Pass
Here are some comparison pics from May 2019 and September 2022
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11 Apr 2023 15:03 - 11 Apr 2023 15:04 #78450
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Cockade Pass
Some pictures from Saturday.
There are a few sections that are a little harder to get up now that there is more water than in September. We just had running packs so it wasn't an issue, but a group of 15 (yes, an oversized guided group...) certainly battled to get up. They camped at the base of the pass just above the contour path and hadn't got up by nightfall. In summer there might need to be a few scrambles up onto side slopes if possible
There are a few sections that are a little harder to get up now that there is more water than in September. We just had running packs so it wasn't an issue, but a group of 15 (yes, an oversized guided group...) certainly battled to get up. They camped at the base of the pass just above the contour path and hadn't got up by nightfall. In summer there might need to be a few scrambles up onto side slopes if possible
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Last edit: 11 Apr 2023 15:04 by Smurfatefrog.
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12 Apr 2023 08:49 #78451
by Riaang
Replied by Riaang on topic Cockade Pass
@Smurfatefrog,
Wow, the scenery has changed quite a bit since I did it what, 3 years ago? The power of water to change landscapes dramatically is simply amazing!
Your top photo, was that taken near the bottom of the pass, as you start up with the plume on your left? I recall a fairly rocky waterfall section that we had to scramble down in this area, but NOTHING like what your pic shows. All this area was predominantly built up by rock before - we had maybe a 5m drop to negotiate coming down - this looks like much more fun! Well, this means we definitely have to go visit Cckade again
Wow, the scenery has changed quite a bit since I did it what, 3 years ago? The power of water to change landscapes dramatically is simply amazing!
Your top photo, was that taken near the bottom of the pass, as you start up with the plume on your left? I recall a fairly rocky waterfall section that we had to scramble down in this area, but NOTHING like what your pic shows. All this area was predominantly built up by rock before - we had maybe a 5m drop to negotiate coming down - this looks like much more fun! Well, this means we definitely have to go visit Cckade again
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04 May 2023 11:44 #78503
by Sabine
Replied by Sabine on topic Cockade Pass
From the photos above, it looks like Cockade campsite has been washed away completely, just a rocky riverbed left. Is it still possible to camp in that area and if yes, for how many tents?
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04 May 2023 16:36 - 04 May 2023 16:40 #78505
by supertramp
Replied by supertramp on topic Cockade Pass
Hi Sabine,
I can confirm that the original campsite is no more.I've done the riverbed twice since the floods (and camped in the original one on a previous occasion) and on both occasions we were on the lookout for plausible camping spots but couldn't really find any (luckily we did not plan to camp there).
There are 2 separate potential spots further up the riverbed but both will hold 1 tent at best and is located on soft sand (a last resort). On our trip up Xeni South fork last month I can also confirm that the campsite at the base of Xeni (as per Slingsby map and VE thread) has also been washed away. We had to make camp on bare rock (luckily there the weather was good and we had no risk of a flash flood). I completely forgot about the hidden secret spot Vivo101 referred to.
I would say it is a bitter sweet scenario with the loss of the camping spots but at least the overgrowth has disappeared for a good while.
I can confirm that the original campsite is no more.I've done the riverbed twice since the floods (and camped in the original one on a previous occasion) and on both occasions we were on the lookout for plausible camping spots but couldn't really find any (luckily we did not plan to camp there).
There are 2 separate potential spots further up the riverbed but both will hold 1 tent at best and is located on soft sand (a last resort). On our trip up Xeni South fork last month I can also confirm that the campsite at the base of Xeni (as per Slingsby map and VE thread) has also been washed away. We had to make camp on bare rock (luckily there the weather was good and we had no risk of a flash flood). I completely forgot about the hidden secret spot Vivo101 referred to.
I would say it is a bitter sweet scenario with the loss of the camping spots but at least the overgrowth has disappeared for a good while.
Last edit: 04 May 2023 16:40 by supertramp.
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04 May 2023 16:59 #78506
by Sabine
Replied by Sabine on topic Cockade Pass
Thanks Supertramp
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01 Jan 2024 12:01 #78820
by timshikes
Replied by timshikes on topic Cockade Pass
Hi all, I led a party of 10 strong young adults and we attempted Cockade on 16th Dec 2023. I had heard comment that severe flood damage had taken place in Xeni river and on this weekend the rivers were all flowing strongly. Crossings were tricky but we got up the zig-zags, South along the contour path and into Xeni river with no problem. Moving upstream in Xeni river is a long boulder hopping process and acc to the gps we got to approximately 200m before the actual left turn into Cockade itself. Here we encountered a severe waterfall with banks washed away completely so the Southern side was a sheer rock wall and the Northern side a vertical mud bank with a 15m fall into the rocks below, very different from my last trip up Cockade in 2017. I felt this was too dangerous in the wet and slippery conditions so elected to turn around. We retraced our steps down the zig zags and found a great campsite in Mlambonja river (tricky to cross) so a longish but great day out. 1st time I have turned around in s Berg pass, but feel it was the right call rather than getting home with a smaller party. For the inexperienced Xeni river above the contour path is hard work and can easily cause injuries.
All in all a great hike and learning curve for everyone - as the Berg is famous for.
Has anyone else experienced this or found a route around the waterfall?
All in all a great hike and learning curve for everyone - as the Berg is famous for.
Has anyone else experienced this or found a route around the waterfall?
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01 Jan 2024 21:08 #78821
by Smurfatefrog
I think the section you're referring may be the 2nd pic in my post above?
There are a few sections that would not be too safe with high water levels, you made a good decision to turn around
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Cockade Pass
Moved this post to the Cockade threadHi all, I led a party of 10 strong young adults and we attempted Cockade on 16th Dec 2023. I had heard comment that severe flood damage had taken place in Xeni river and on this weekend the rivers were all flowing strongly. Crossings were tricky but we got up the zig-zags, South along the contour path and into Xeni river with no problem. Moving upstream in Xeni river is a long boulder hopping process and acc to the gps we got to approximately 200m before the actual left turn into Cockade itself. Here we encountered a severe waterfall with banks washed away completely so the Southern side was a sheer rock wall and the Northern side a vertical mud bank with a 15m fall into the rocks below, very different from my last trip up Cockade in 2017. I felt this was too dangerous in the wet and slippery conditions so elected to turn around. We retraced our steps down the zig zags and found a great campsite in Mlambonja river (tricky to cross) so a longish but great day out. 1st time I have turned around in s Berg pass, but feel it was the right call rather than getting home with a smaller party. For the inexperienced Xeni river above the contour path is hard work and can easily cause injuries.
All in all a great hike and learning curve for everyone - as the Berg is famous for.
Has anyone else experienced this or found a route around the waterfall?
I think the section you're referring may be the 2nd pic in my post above?
There are a few sections that would not be too safe with high water levels, you made a good decision to turn around
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