Hlatimba Pass South

Anyone have a photo where you can see just to the left of this? A photo from halfway up kaMasihlenga Pass looking at the north cliffs would also help

JustinBaker wrote:

Thanks

Over the August long weekend elinda, Richard Hunt, Lorinda, Thora and tonymarshall did a 3 day trip at Lotheni, ascending Hlatimba South Pass and descending Buttress Pass.

The first day was spent hiking up to the Contour Path below Hlatimba Buttress via the ka Zwelele Ridge from Lotheni, a seldom used and longer route than the usual walk in along the ridge coming down from Redi. We tented just below the Contour Path near a stream with good views of the Hlatimba Buttress.



The photo above shows a view back along the ka Zwelele ridge, and the photo below shows our campsite near the Contour Path beneath Hlatimba Buttress



The next morning was clear, although very windy after a windy night, and we headed west along the Contour Path to the Hlatimba River crossing where the South and North Hlatimba Pass routes split. Approaching the Hlatimba valley, a good view is obtained of the Hlatimba Passes; the photo below shows Hlatimba Pass South at the centre of the photo, with Hlatimba Pass North to the right, behind the ridge to the right of Hlatimba Pass South. The peak at the left of the photo is Duart Castle.



Tony above the Hlatimba River crossing with Hlatimba South Pass on the left.



A view up Hlatimba Pass South from the lower section of the pass.



We approached the bottom of the pass from the right (true left), then followed the gully for a while, before exiting the gully onto the left (true right) grass slope and following this slope to the top of the pass. The section in the gully was quite bushy, but very easy to walk around the bushes.



Some boulder hopping was also required in the gully section.



We then exited the gully to the true right slope, which had a fairly clear trail. The lower section of the pass also had a trail, but it got very faint in places. There was no water anywhere in the pass.

Exiting the gully onto the true right grass slope.



Following the true right slope up the pass.



A view back down Hlatimba Pass South.



The trail up the true right slope. There was still quite a lot of snow around from the snowfall two weeks previously.



Hlatimba Cave South is near the top of the pass, in the rock band on the true right. It is a small, damp cave and it seems locals have been using it to rest or eat in judging from the rocks placed on the floor.



Near the top of Hlatimba Pass South the slope flattens, and there are rock/scree sections to walk through.



A view down the rock/scree section.



The top of Hlatimba South Pass.



We headed north east along the escarpment past Hlatimba Pass North, with a much better cave, Hlatimba Cave North, near the top of this pass, then had lunch next to a stream near one of the ice waterfalls, before descending Buttress Pass in the afternoon.

Yesterday, myself and Marco day hiked the Hlathimba Passes. We used the Eagle Trail route for the walk in and walk out.

The contour path comes and goes, but we managed to mostly follow it to the base of the pass. We went up the south pass and down the north pass.

We didn't use the trail up the pass that Tony and co used (we didn't even see it) - we stayed true left till about 2650m, and then stayed in the
gully till the top. I have to say that South Hlathimba Pass is one of the easiest passes I have ever done. Because of the line we used, we didn't have any issues with overgrowth - although it had also just been burned, which helps.

We saw 6 shepherds at the top of the pass, and a lot of dogs. They were super friendly and had really interesting solar powered radios.

We came down the north pass, staying true right early on to avoid dogs, although the middle of the gully would have been easier.

Around 2550m we traversed right out of the gully to the gully between the passes, which proved to be very gentle and make for a faster descent. It also meant we skipped some overgrowth at the bottom of the pass.

The two routes join at the end of the contour path (because the contour path officially ends at the base of the Hlathimba Passes). There is a really nice rock pool and a great spot to have lunch at the base.

Overall a great day out - we saw around 12 eland, a snake, a lizard that looks like a snake, and a lot of birds. The flowers are all in bloom and the green grass is starting to come through - giving the mountains a mint chocolate look (that reminds me, I should get a plate of ice cream when I have finished posting this ).

We didn't rush at all, took a lot of breaks and plenty of photos. We did the 32km loop in about 12h30, starting just after first light and finishing just before last light.

Full story at jonathantheghaznavid.wordpress.com/2019/09/08/the-hlathimba-passes/