Giant’s Castle Traverse

I was actually trying to find that writeup, but I couldn't remember what it was called. I want to do the NHA and Around the Corner variations later this year (probably early May).

Indeed this is a different cave. Forgot about Tony's one - and didn't see it when we went up. Probably because I wasn't looking for it. The one I referred to looks easier to get to, but completely useless unless you are stuck in that gully in a storm. There is a bit of grass on the floor, so it looks like someone has used it at some point.

Thanks for the write up and photos.

Yes, as Bobby indicated that's not Red Wall Falls next to the Trojan Wall, but the waterfall of the stream running in the valley below Injisuthi Summit Cave. In December, some of our group tented next to this stream near the waterfall, and some stayed in the cave.

This is the view from the cave looking out over the valley with our tents just visible next to the stream below. The Eastern Triplet is visible in the left of the photo, and the waterfall is just to the left of the Eastern Triplet.



There is quite an impressive pool above the falls, and this is the view from the pool and lip of the falls, perhaps worthy of inclusion in the favourite escarpment pools list.



The pool just above the escarpment waterfall.





There is a lot more water in Ghaz's photo of the falls than in December. There are several streams with escarpment waterfalls comprising the headwaters of the Injisuthi, and although this falls is quite impressive I'm not sure about naming this one, as I think the falls to the west of the Injisuthi Greater Buttress (visible from Leslie's Pass) and near Injisuthi Pass might be more deserving of being named Injisuthi Falls.

Going up Corner Pass in December, we really couldn't see much of what we thought was Corner Cave, so can't give much opinion on which of the two possibilities might be the more likely. The one we thought is Corner Cave is certainly not easily accessible.

Thanks for the info!

Perhaps Ntheledi Falls then? Although - with that drop off, hopefully it doesn't "make one slip" while standing on the edge...

I would be interested to know if it gets more than 1 month consistent flow each year - this would give it waterfall status under World Waterfall Database's definition. Looking at contour lines it could well be the highest single drop falls in Africa. Definitely felt much higher than Tugela's biggest drop.

A video I took of the view from Giant's Pass:

So the pic of the cave above is of Upper Injisuthi Cave? Or Corner Cave.
Sorry a bit lost :\

elandman wrote: So the pic of the cave above is of Upper Injisuthi Cave? Or Corner Cave.
Sorry a bit lost :\

That photo is the top of the falls from UI Cave.

Ghaz

Been contemplating part of this route for a while and your write up and photos have been a great help.

Can you clarify a few things:

1. The condition of the path from Bannerman hut to the base of the Corner pass and how well defined is it?
2. All going well how long to complete Bannerman hut to the base of Corner pass?
3. How long did it take you up Corner pass including 'difficulties'?

Trev wrote: 1. The condition of the path from Bannerman hut to the base of the Corner pass and how well defined is it?

The path isn't very clear in places after Bannerman Hut. There are 3 particularly notable spots:
- the turnoff below Bannerman Hut is tricky to find (the main trail continues up to the hut). If you miss it you will find the crossing of the Martial Eagle Stream to be rather unpleasant.
- At some point the trail climbs a large hill - not quite as big as the likes of Philip's Folly, but still a large hill. You reach something like 2500m on this bit. We lost the trail just before this and added over a km in extra distance walking around this ridge.
- The trail is also a bit vague just past Judge Pass. If you keep looking ahead you can usually refind it, but it isn't clear.

The rest of the trail isn't well worn (with the exception of certain bits of it), but is visible and not too tough to follow.

Trev wrote: 2. All going well how long to complete Bannerman hut to the base of Corner pass?

I have done it 3 times, took about 2 hours the first time (clear weather and only lost the path for short bits), and over 3 hours the other 2 times (1 at night after a very long tiring day, the other on this hike in the mist

Trev wrote: 3. How long did it take you up Corner pass including 'difficulties'?

We left Bannerman Hut at about 6AM and stood on the escarpment around 1PM, so that's about 5 hours on the pass. Remember that this was in the mist so navigation was tricky, and the ground was wet. The route is actually easier once you enter the gully (well for me anyway). The gully is also shorter and easier than photos suggest.

The first obstacle is very high (about 4m), it looks easy from the bottom, but the top half is a bit hairy since falling isn't an option! We were going to climb it with our packs on, but on trying this we realised that hauling packs was a better idea. But drag the packs up the slope you climb - otherwise they get stuck under the chockstone.

The 2nd obstacle is right near the end and isn't really an obstacle - very easy.

The top obstacle is the trickiest of them all, although you can thank me for lots of the mud and loose rock being removed Jokes aside though - be careful on the top one. I tried to stem up it (back against one wall, feet against the other) - I got badly stuck near the top and could have easily taken a really nasty fall. It gets too wide to stem shortly before the top - well, too wide for me anyway. While trying to find good holds to get out of this position I managed to launch a fair amount of rock and mud in Vikings direction. He eventually climbed past me and gave me a hand.

Thanks!!