The Ramp

 I spied this feature when descending Sondomzima Ridge at Drakensberg Gardens  a few weeks ago and was surprised that I had not noticed it on previous hikes.  From a distance it appears as a huge ramp below massive cliffs that then ascends to the top of the ridge that houses Robs Cave.  It is situated directly above Puffadder  Rock on the Mzimude River.  I was immediately intrigued and wondered whether it would go all the way to the top without any obstacles.  A plan was made and we left  Garden Castle office on a cool morning, making our way up and over the Sondomzima Ridge.  We crossed the Mzimude River and approached the bottom of the ramp at an angle from the right hand ( escarpment ) side.  It was easier this way than climbing directly up from Puffadder rock and we crossed the  plateau first before the real climbing began.  We also noticed a lovely tarn that is quite hidden from the path below  which will definitely be receiving a visit from us at some time in the future!  The clouds were growing heavier and we had to keep putting rain gear on and off in between the showers that added  to our challenge.  The climb upwards was steep and sustained and as we got higher, we noticed a cave across the gully before the upper ramp.  It appeared to have a level sleeping area and would sleep between 4 and 6 people.  We kept to the side of the rock face as we climbed and were soon following an animal path which made the going slightly easier.  The sun was out now and we got to the top under blue skies.  It was pretty straight forward and we immediately found a spring of water that was flowing, so our worries about finding water were put to bed.  We walked across to the other side of the ridge and found ourselves directly opposite and looking down on Whytes Cave.  From this point it is an easy walk across the ridge before you descend the steep grassy slopes at the northern end of the Whytes Cave Valley.  We explored further and it was fascinating to see the valleys and rock formations behind Robs Cave itself – it certainly is a beautiful area.  We found a level tent site half way down towards the top of  Robs Cave Gully and spent the afternoon watching the storm clouds gather over Underberg and the subsequent dramatic clouds and  mist moving over the nearby ridges. It rained steadily for a while before easing off and it was lovely to hear the roar of the river far below as we went to sleep.Unfortunately the sun was not out for long the following morning before the mist drifted in.  We had little visibility descending the gully past Robs Cave and it remained this way with cool and cloudy weather on our return back to camp. Mission accomplished!  I think this would be a good alternative shortcut from Whytes Cave  to Garden Castle, with the effort expended being about the same, if not slightly easier and also a bit quicker than the Robs Cave gully route.  

The Ramp from Sondomzima Ridge

 

The Tarn

 

Approaching the upper Ramp

 

Ramp Cave is visible in the middle of the photo

 

Ramp Cave

 

The last section of the climb

 

Looking back

 

At the top of the climb

 

View of the ridge
 

 

There will be water here in Summer

 

The area above Robs Cave

 

Our view - near the top of Robs Cave gully

 

Map of our route - many thanks to Bobby Stanton for this!

I once tried this route ascending into low cloud late in the day when trying to meet up with PapaDragon and Smurf at Whyte's. Then the rain and darkness set in. Descending, scrambling down slippery ledges, being unable to find Sherry Cave, then having to use my tripod and groundsheet to bivy - about 50m from Sherry Cave, it turned out the next morning - was, I confess, not one of my smartest days in the Berg.

TheRealDave wrote:

I once tried this route ascending into low cloud late in the day when trying to meet up with PapaDragon and Smurf at Whyte's. Then the rain and darkness set in. Descending, scrambling down slippery ledges, being unable to find Sherry Cave, then having to use my tripod and groundsheet to bivy - about 50m from Sherry Cave, it turned out the next morning - was, I confess, not one of my smartest days in the Berg.

Dave, I remember that well. Metus at Secret Cave the day after :0
 

@Elinda
The 2 photos I entered in the last "Essence of the Dragon" photo competition (shown in "New pictures in the gallery" on home page) were taken at that tarn. Lovely gem.

Hello. Is it possible to hike alone on this area as you can in other parts of the Drakensberg? Or they won't allow it on the garden castle office?

Thx.

Edwin128 wrote:

Hello. Is it possible to hike alone on this area as you can in other parts of the Drakensberg? Or they won't allow it on the garden castle office?

Thx.
 

Difficult to give a definitive answer. On a previous occasion the lady in the office was dead against me hiking alone and eventually told me to pay on my return in order to get round it. This year in May, the gentleman in the office didn't even question that I was hiking alone. To avoid the problem I usually try and arrive before the office opens and then paying when I return from the hike.

Sterkhorn wrote:

Edwin128 wrote:

Hello. Is it possible to hike alone on this area as you can in other parts of the Drakensberg? Or they won't allow it on the garden castle office?

Thx.

 

Difficult to give a definitive answer. On a previous occasion the lady in the office was dead against me hiking alone and eventually told me to pay on my return in order to get round it. This year in May, the gentleman in the office didn't even question that I was hiking alone. To avoid the problem I usually try and arrive before the office opens and then paying when I return from the hike.

Actually that is a great strategy to avoid drama about hiking alone.