Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse

Try to arrange with the MCC guys to get a taxi to drop you off at the end of the road in the Ntonjelana valley, this will save you 1 - 1.5 hours of walking (just agree on how far up they will take you exactly before you get in and agree on a price).

On top of Ntonjelana Pass, directly South will be a nameless peak - call it "Easter Peak" if you want. Skirt around the base of it along the Kwakwatsi until you spot what looks like the summit of a pass above you - its kind of the first obvious col between 2 prominent peaks, one of them being Easter Peak. After gaining the col (get water before you do), head North along the ridge of Easter Peak, maximising on the few cairns along there, and pretty soon you should stumble onto the cave, bearing in mind that the entrance is very concealed and that you can stand on top of the cave without knowing it.

The Moremoholo is difficult to miss - its the broad valley taking you from Old Woman towards Mafadi - probably the valley you were thinking of.

Since its only 2 of you I don't think you'll struggle to find good campsites anywhere along the entire route.

Thats too bad Jacques. Would love to do a long traverse again, but I only have the long weekend after Easter available, and also trying to get that trip off the ground.

Giant's Castle seems quiet the last 3 years or so. People even seem to be using Bannerman Cave without problems (that I've heard of). However, problems in this area date back to even Bill Barnes' days, so I don't think we should let our guard down and think things are settled. I suspect that the prosecution of some of the shepherds involved in the Easter 2005 incident sent a clear message out to the rest, but that's only speculation, so don't quote me on it.

I'm thinking of either a trip to Garden Castle area, maybe Rhino and Mzimkhulu Passes, or the Qwa Qwa area in the Namahadi Cutback. Welcome to join if you want.

JacquesBuys wrote: Which other spot in that region (close to Langalibalele) would you recommend to sleep over at?

None There's a spot at the base of Gypaetus Point in the valley, before the incline to Bannerman Pass, but that might be too far away for your liking, and there is a kraal further down that valley too. Otherwise try sneak close to the edge along Bannerman Face and see if you can find a little nook somewhere.

Yes the Namahadi Cutback is the cutback further north of Namahadi Pass. It has several passes. Have done 2 there but plenty left.

The first pass you mentioned is called Dagga Neck Pass (its an established name, not my own). It is part of the Maluti Caves Trail area and is accessed differently to the Namahadi Cutback. The dam walls belong to an old ski resort now in ruins. Have walked along the top of that second pass. There are numerous passes along here which access Phuthaditjhaba. There is a major one a couple hundred meters North from that one too.