Nhlangeni Pass
01 Jun 2012 08:08 #54168
by Captain
Nhlangeni Pass was created by Captain
I'm planning a trip to Thabana Ntlenyana and need to get some opinions regarding Nhlangeni pass. The trip is scheduled for late June early July. Planning to depart Vergelegen; up Mkhomazi and return via Nhlangeni pass. I haven't been able to find out too much about the pass. Anyone hiked it (either up or down)? What is the pass like during winter? i.e. snow etc.

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11 Jun 2012 19:28 #54278
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Re: Nhlangeni Pass
I've only stomped around on the top bit of the pass. Seems to be grassy and no trail. What about Magan or Bigsnake...can you give some input here?
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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16 Jun 2012 18:39 #54361
by Captain
Replied by Captain on topic Re: Nhlangeni Pass
Thanks Intrepid - got some info from MCSA and from the guys at Vergelegen.
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22 Jun 2012 08:50 #54490
by Magan
Replied by Magan on topic Re: Nhlangeni Pass
Vergelegen is an awesome place to hike in, you have that isolated, lost feeling. The group that hiked before me was 10 days previous.
Birds Nest cave is the ideal overnite stop. I approached it from bottom of the same valley, with a small bundu.
Up to Nhlangeni Pass, the valley narrows and then widens again. Pretty straightforward. A feint path that crisscrosses both banks but navigation is easy. I did the Pass in Aug so there was some ice around but easily avoided.
Nhlangeni cave is easily located high up the Pass on rockband to the left (on ascent).
The only real issue of note was that it was extremely windy, so strong infact that it was incredibly tough to climb the rest of the Pass from the cave(some 100mtrs), diving from rock to rock for cover and something to hold onto, and was blown over headfirst on descent when I decided to turn back.
I'll look for some pics.
Birds Nest cave is the ideal overnite stop. I approached it from bottom of the same valley, with a small bundu.
Up to Nhlangeni Pass, the valley narrows and then widens again. Pretty straightforward. A feint path that crisscrosses both banks but navigation is easy. I did the Pass in Aug so there was some ice around but easily avoided.
Nhlangeni cave is easily located high up the Pass on rockband to the left (on ascent).
The only real issue of note was that it was extremely windy, so strong infact that it was incredibly tough to climb the rest of the Pass from the cave(some 100mtrs), diving from rock to rock for cover and something to hold onto, and was blown over headfirst on descent when I decided to turn back.
I'll look for some pics.
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22 Jun 2012 08:57 #54492
by Captain
Replied by Captain on topic Re: Nhlangeni Pass
Thanks Magan! Look forward to those pix

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25 Jun 2012 07:27 - 25 Jun 2012 08:55 #54515
by Magan
Replied by Magan on topic Re: Nhlangeni Pass
pics as promised :
Birds Nest Cave
Nhlangeni Pass on left:
Middle section:
Ferrino tent in Nhlangeni Cave getting a work out:
View from Nhlangeni cave:
Birds Nest Cave
Nhlangeni Pass on left:
Middle section:
Ferrino tent in Nhlangeni Cave getting a work out:
View from Nhlangeni cave:
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Last edit: 25 Jun 2012 08:55 by intrepid. Reason: added images
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25 Jun 2012 11:35 #54523
by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Re: Nhlangeni Pass
That pass actually looks pretty easy - famous last words...
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27 Jun 2012 06:04 #54535
by Serious tribe
Replied by Serious tribe on topic Re: Nhlangeni Pass
It always looks good from the top. Lammergeyer flying through shot?
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29 Jun 2012 05:18 #54559
by Magan
Replied by Magan on topic Re: Nhlangeni Pass
Cant quite remember to be honest...
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