Mlambonja Coulior

In the interests of remaining distracted from my exams, I have been looking at a potential pass at Garden Castle. For arguement sake, lets call it Newman Pass for the moment. Unfortunately on both Google Earth and in my photos its always in the shade, but based on what the summit looks like on GE, it looks climable.

Has anyone ever checked this gully out?

Interesting. I'm sure you can scramble around the lower bit of rock climbing, but any way, if it doesn't get to the top (without ropes), its not much use to me... But if that route is used, maybe one of the caves along the way may actually serve some purpose.

I must go and give Gypateus Pass a shot some time, that one should be doable, its just a mission trying to find a person who is prepared to try an untried route where you may reach 3000m and have to turn back without reaching the summit...

I would try untried routes, just hope my fitness level is up to it.
Perhaps this summer we can give it a go.

Sounds good Splatacat, we will have to plan when to do it a bit in advance, my November, December and January are fairly booked up...

Hi All

A friend and I are looking at doing some "alpine style" ( crampons + walking axe) trekking this winter in the Berg.

From looking around on the net I have found 2 options:
Mashai Pass
Mlambonja Coulior

Can anyone advise the what is the climbing section like at the bottom of Mlambonja Coulior. Do we need a to take a trad rack and ice pro along ? Or can it be done as a scramble ?

The RD on MCSA says: Take a small selection of rock gear for the mixed pitch

Any advise from anyone who has done these passes will be greatly appreciated.

I personally haven't done the coulior - or for that matter, any form of ice climbing at all - but I have done Mashai Pass a few times, including in winter. You aren't going to need crampons and a walking axe on Mashai Pass unless there has just been a large snow dump.

Thanks Ghaz

Our intention would be to give it a bash after there has been a decent snowfall. But from the reports i have read it still might be overkill for Mashai. I will see if i can find anymore info on Mlambonja if not we will go have a look when we get there.

Rhino Pass (Just North of Mashai) might be a better option in winter. I am not sure wich gully I looked down (Left or right) from the top but it looked like a good one to do with crampons and ice axes. Gavin from Peak High and MCSA Rescue fame takes clients up that route I think
Regards
Selous