Phinong Pass

This pass is quite an easy one to do.. We approached it from the Sani Border post and the climb up to contour level from  here is the most strenuous part.  Its makes a nice round trip as you can go up with a day pack, spend the night at the lodge and then return down Sani Pass which is what we did on this hike.

 

Approaching the pass - our route takes us up between the two rocky outcrops that are in the sunlight



View of Vergelegen from near the top of the pass



Approaching the narrow gully at the top of the pass



The rocky gully would be tricky if full of snow





View looking back down the pass



Top of Phinong Pass

Yesterday I did Phinong Pass. Some people may argue that my use of it doesn't count as I technically went from the top to where the ridge flattens out at 2440m, but nonetheless, I have walked the pass section. Seeing as it was in thick mist and the pass should be spectacular, it wasn't the most rewarding trip ever

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Elinda has already included a lot of detail, and the pass has a good trail that is easy to follow (until you hit yet another scree field and can't find it on the other side), so not much commentary required.

Regarding the top bit, I used the same line as Elinda on the way down. It was very wet and slippery. The trail actually uses a grassy side slope just west of this. There is a good trail from about 20m in, but standing on top of the gully facing down, go about 50m left and you will see it.

There is also a really large cave around 2800m. The trail goes right past it, and I am guessing it isn't the safest cave to use, considering it is a high traffic area. But if you get stuck on the pass in a storm, it would be handy.