You be the Judge

@Ghaz - Have you considered Corner Pass from Injasuti? It's definitely a more direct route and I don't think the scrambles or boulder-hopping make it significantly slower either. 21km to the top via this route, but I suppose the main disadvantage is the extra 300m of ascent due to Injasuti being at a lower altitude than Giant's Castle...

@Stijn: I was thinking the same thing. The boulder hopping without a heavy pack will not be too difficult and route finding is really straight forward. And is Corner not the closest non-technical pass to Mafadi?

kbresler wrote: Also consider this is a solo record so to beat it you have to do it solo. After that trip I kinda don't like doing the solo thing anymore as its a freaken scary place alone at night. But these are the realities so may I suggest cracking it with friends to learn the best way for you and then head for the solo attempt (if you feel so inclined).

To break the solo record that would be true, but your time (like your 9 summits time) is also the overall record, so a group can still break your overall record

Personally I don't enjoy solo hiking, I enjoy the team and safety aspect of a group.

Stijn wrote: @Ghaz - Have you considered Corner Pass from Injasuti? It's definitely a more direct route and I don't think the scrambles or boulder-hopping make it significantly slower either. 21km to the top via this route, but I suppose the main disadvantage is the extra 300m of ascent due to Injasuti being at a lower altitude than Giant's Castle...

Corner Pass is on my to do list (for the same reason as Minaret Pass - its at one of the 3 reserves where I plan on doing all the recognised non-technical passes), but the reason I am so adamant to do the record from the Giant's side is the easier drive, as you say its 300m higher to start with, and I know the route to Bannerman Hut better than any non-employee of EKZN should. Corner Pass from Giant's side is doable - after all, the pass is technically part of Giant's Castle Nature Reserve. I need to do a lot of research and planning before I try to hit this record again, maybe go with a group of 2 next time. The writeups on 2 hour hill at Injisuthi make me a bit nervous on time...

Any way - I need to do my Thumb Pass - North Hlubi Pass 3 day-er, then I will have done every khulu and possible/actual pass between Langies and Gypaetus, then I need to start doing more hiking at Didima/Cobham/Monks/Garden Castle/Mnweni...

Too true...
Either way, this is why we have records, to crack them.
All the best and I will be sending the promised mails soon.
If I recall correctly Kwaduma is next.

Have a great weekend!!

I agree - aiming to beat records is fun

Indeed KwaDuma is next...

Hey Ghaz, good effort, what an experience it must have been, I do agree with kbresler, don't stress about the records just have a crack and if it comes off great. If not then at least you've had a great hike and experience. But as with the old cliche' "records are made to be broken"

Let me know when you plan your next adventure.