Corner Pass

During my descent of Corner Pass on the Easter weekend, I noticed that the rocks above the lower waterfall scramble (the chockstone) have been rearranged from how they previously were.

The previous arrangement can be seen in the photo vivo 101 used in his earlier post, and in the two photos below from when I did Corner Pass in June 2016 with Harry and Ruan. 

 


There is now a long, thin rock perched at an angle above the chockstone, as seen in the two photos below from this Easter weekend.

The photo below is from above the chockstone looking down, with the long, thin rock above the chockstone and scramble very visible. 



The photo below is a view up the scramble from below the scramble and chockstone, with the rock showing above the chockstone. 



This rock has not affected or changed the character of the scramble at all, I am just showing it as an example of a natural change over the years at a specific place in a specific pass.

Tony,

I like your photos of Corner pass in the mist. It's how it often looks for a number of months in the year, so a very realistic portrayal of what hikers will find.
I love this pass. Was my first pass in the Berg (talk about a shock for an unfit newbie!) so it holds a special place in my heart. Ascending from the contour path is not to be taken lightly, this pass makes you work for every centimeter of altitude gain I've done all the variations numerous times in all kinds of different weather, still can't decide which I prefer, although I would probably have to concede that when feeling unfit I prefer the NHA

Do I hear this pass calling me back again?

Certainly don't want to be in the pass when it is 'rearranging' itself!   My first overnight was a 2 day up Zeni and across the Cathedral traverse back to the Hotel.  Also was quite a start for me, but loved it som much, still hiking 30 years later

 It's been many years since I last did Corner Pass and I am wondering whether the heavy rains of the last couple of years have changed it in any way.  We are planning a trip soon.  Has anyone been up ( or down) recently and  can advise?

Ditto for the scramble on Northern High Approach and also for Leslies Pass

Thanks!

I did both Corner and Lesley's early last year (around the same time as photos from tonymarshall above but with more water in the middle of the Corner pass) and both passes were doable. I can't compare it to before times since it was my one and only time on those passes. I think the rains were not as strong this summer than last and didn't change the passes as much. 

Thanks @matroskinn!

I will report back with an update once we have done it

 

Hi Elinda.
I went down Corner pass ridge in November last year (at night and in the rain, was quite a hectic experience to say the least). Not much had changed since I did it in May the year previous. I did find though that the rocks and ground in general, above the chockstone were a lot more unstable. We had to watch our step quite closely and did end up sending one or two rocks plummeting down. I don't remember it being as loose the year before but the rain and darkness could have made it worse in the moment. Besides that not much else had changed. 

Hi @Slipperyhotshot - thanks for the information.  I can imagine it must have been quite an experience to come down Corner Pass at night in the rain!  I have only ever been up it and in daylight which does make a difference!