Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse

tiska wrote:

timoross wrote: I am thinking of doing this on the last long weekend of April:

The Amphitheatre wasn't really closed but we are advised not to overnight there. Certainly you wouldn't be able to pitch a tent anywhere in the area (Amphitheatre, Ifidi, Icidi etc) without being seen by the local herders. Staying in caves, especially those off the top of the escarpment like Fangs Cave, would be a better bet.

I think my strategy would be to go with a large group. Safety in numbers?

timoross wrote:

tiska wrote:

timoross wrote: I am thinking of doing this on the last long weekend of April:

The Amphitheatre wasn't really closed but we are advised not to overnight there. Certainly you wouldn't be able to pitch a tent anywhere in the area (Amphitheatre, Ifidi, Icidi etc) without being seen by the local herders. Staying in caves, especially those off the top of the escarpment like Fangs Cave, would be a better bet.

I think my strategy would be to go with a large group. Safety in numbers?

It can work both ways - larger group = more visible and more tempting target.

Don't forget the link between the following:
a) full moon and previous attacks on hikers in the Berg
b) full moon and Easter

I wouldn't pitch tents in the Mont Aux Sources area, esp not during full moon. Others no doubt have managed without incident. It depends on your approach to risk vs enjoyment. If there were an incident, the authorities may lack sympathy given their clear warnings not to overnight in the area.

Luckily we're going end of April, with no moon, but given the feedback we have decided to ascend Camel, do three days on the escarpment and descend Grays to Monks Cowl. Easier hike, but should be fun.

Hi

A couple of us are looking to do a hike from sentinel car park to cathedral peak hotel.
I have read up on some of the forums but am struggling to find a good route. I do however understand that there are many routes to do it.

Roughly how many km's is the hike?
Is 5 days, 4 nights a realistic time frame?

Would anyone be able to give me a basic route description for this section of hiking?

Thanks

Thanks very much

Really appreciate the speedy response

If you are doing it in 4 to 5 days, don't use the Kubedu Shunt (the direct route right at the start), rather head around the escarpment edge through the Ifidi Cave region. It is a bit longer and a bit more vertical, but comes with some really epic views.

Hi
I have tried to doanload Mike Atkinsons GPS coordinates for the Northern Traverse and seem to be having quite a bit of trouble. Has anyone else had difficulty with downloading this file? Is there a certain programme that I need to download in order to download?

This is the link from which I tried to download:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/downloads/summary/4-drakensberg-hiking/44-northern-berg-traverse-gps-data.html

Thanks

Hi

Thanks for your reply. I still can't seem to win.
Is there a chance you could email me those coordinates? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sorry to be a pain.

Thanks