Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse

Hi everyone,

We're planning on doing the above mentioned hike in May. We plan on leaving our cars at the hotel and then getting a shuttle service to the car park/Witsieshoek hotel, from where we will start the hike the following day.

Does anyone know how much the hiking costs are ? Does one pay per day in the mountains or how does it work ? What are all the costs involved of any ?

Thanks

Hi Kragbees, we did the route this past easter weekend & it was awesome to say the least! We went down Mlambonja pass. You?

It cost R85 per person.

A friend picked us up at the hotel, so we didn't use a shuttle. Please come back to us on what it costs (guess it'll be a fortune)

We had hot / cold & wet, so be prepared for the Dragon.

Enjoy!!!

Jacques

Hi Jacques,

Thanks for the reply ! We will also be going down Mlambonja, apparently it's quite steep down ? My girlfriend is quite worried , but I'm sure she will make it.

I heard yesterday that the cost for the shuttle service is R200 per person from the hotel to Sentinel. Guess its expensive, but not TOO bad ...

Yes we're mainly preparing for the cold/wet, as you know it can be 4 seasons in 1 day !

I'm with Intrepid on the R200. Definitely not bad. How many is the minimum of passengers that they take? Does the hotel offer this service or is private?

It's not too steep down, but the normal rule applies: Be careful on loose rocks. The Rocky area could drain your energy a bit if wet, since extra caution should be taken not to slip. The bushes in the "bottom" are a bit confusing at times, but also not serious. Worst thing is that you need to turn back & take another route. (after about 50m of bundu bashing-haha)
If your & her fitness is OK then she'll make it. Thing is to ALWAYS have a positive mindset about hiking & passes (& things in general)

Want to go in again this winter for another "small traverse" of 5-7 days-cant wait!!!

Hi all,
A friend & I are going to do a mini (or rather half) traverse next week.

Here's the deal: We're going up Ntonjelana pass on thursday morning & sleeping +- in the valley near Mlambonja pass.

Day 2:
Hiking down the escarpment (duh ) & sleep at either Roland's cave or in the valley just after Little Saddle.

Day 3: Making our way to Witch Peak & sleep in the 1 of the valleys close by.
Anyone know of a good overnight spot close by?

Day 4: Continueing along the escarpment down to Old Woman Grinding Corn. Sleeping at +- 29'08"S. 29'20E or once more- Does anyone know of a good resting place around here?

Day 5: Going down -or rather up to Mafadi & sleeping in Injisuthi Summit cave.

Just before I continue, I just want to say that I've planned a bit more for each day in the event of misfortune coming our way.

Day 6: Hiking on to Judges pass which will be the final resting place for this trip. (In the valley just below/ behind the pass?

Day 7: Hiking down to bannerman's pass & making our way to Giant's Castle Main Camp where a friend will pick us up.

This will be completely new territory for me. I only know the berg up to Mlambonja pass, so I'm open to new ideas and suggestions.

Jacques

Thanx for your 2cents intrepid!

We want to start out +- 07:00 from Mweni Cultural Centre. About Easter cave: I've been close but not sure how to get to it. If you are at the top of Ntonjelana pass with the first berg to your left, could you describe how to get there?

Day 2 will be Roland's then

About day 4 in the Moremoholo Valley: Have you got gps for it as I don't have it from the map or is it the valley I've mentioned?

Will definitely have fun! It'll be my last "long" hike this winter as my leave is almost used up

J