Rhino Pass

Anyone done Rhino Pass ?
Any scrambling ? Exposure ?

I have about 8 days leave late Sept.
Will be exploring the Southern Berg, and will check out the Pass

Hi All
I'd like to do Rhino Pass in the not to distant future, looks a challenging pass, has anyone done this pass and if so some hints and tips, such as which gully to climb , gps tracks etc, would be great. My thinking was up rhino and down Verkyker, also never done this pass so info on Verkyker would be awesome. Id like to do this over a weekend. The easier option would be to come down Mashai pass but I've one this a few times so I'd like to add a challenge.
Other options are down bollard in the south.

Intrepid has a short write-up on Rhino Pass here: www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/8-drakensberg-hiking/2865-mzimudebollardwalkers-pass-area.html#2914

I have signed up for a Mountain Backpackers hike this weekend and we're doing the pass (combined with Mzimkhulu Pass) this weekend. I'll get some pics and tell you how it is. Berg.co.za also has the GPS track.

If you are looking for a good challenge, don't go with Rhino Pass. The approach is a challenge, but the pass itself is actually pretty easy. Its scenic, but the top part is on really bad quality ground, loose rock and mud everywhere. I'd probably grade it as 5/10.

North Mzimkhulu Pass is probably about a 3/10.

Verkyker Pass looks hardish, and the view from the top of the pass looks amazing. From the top of the Verkyker Peak you also get an incredible view. The pass tops out fairly high (especially compared to the other passes in the area).

I asked Dave his view on the hardest passes in the Berg - his vote is behind Minaret Pass. Apparently middle Mzimkulu Pass is really tough (basically rock climbing), the Pitseneng Passes are tough, and North Mzimude Pass is also supposed to be tough.

@Ghaz, thanks for the great pic of the pass, looks a very doable pass, did you guys descend via the left hand side of the gully or right?
what would you say is the best way to approach this gully?
great write up by the way on the hike you did on the weekend

The right hand gully. Dave tells me that the left hand gully is dangerous, apparently a few people have died on it over the years.

I think there is a possible variation of going to Pillar Cave and cutting over the ridge between the 4 peaks by Little Rhino and the Rhino Buttress itself, but I am not 100% sure how safe this route would be.

The easiest would be probably be from Castle View farm, turn off by Mzimkhulu Cave and try and get up on the ridge to avoid having to hike up the river. I'm not 100% sure how this route would work out, it may require walking up the river itself for a while.

The pass itself is fine with the water on it, but apparently the Mzimkhulu Pipeline (where you walk on the river under a huge overhang) isn't safe when the water levels are so high. Dave tells me that there isn't a route that avoids walking in the rivers.