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Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse
27 Aug 2013 08:41 #58261
by Viking
“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!”
Replied by Viking on topic Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse
This might help www.mountainbackpackers.co.za/grand-traverse-2013.html
I'd strongly advise taking a guide too.
I'd strongly advise taking a guide too.
“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!”
The following user(s) said Thank You: Scott M.
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09 Sep 2013 19:02 #58436
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse
Hi dleverto, considering a lot of Grand Traverses are done over 12-13 days, I would say 10-11 days for the section you are intestested in, does allow amply time to take it slow and have days where you don’t walk at all.
Langalibalele is a good, easy route for exit.
Apri/May is one of my favourite seasons in the Berg. Its when a lot of Grand Traverses are done. Its not too cold, less rain, clearer views, not too dry etc. You can definitely still get days of solid rain, and you can get snow.
Langalibalele is a good, easy route for exit.
Apri/May is one of my favourite seasons in the Berg. Its when a lot of Grand Traverses are done. Its not too cold, less rain, clearer views, not too dry etc. You can definitely still get days of solid rain, and you can get snow.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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09 Sep 2013 19:09 #58437
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse
Hi Des,
1) If gradient and length of descent is a consideration, then yes, definitely.
2) This can definitely be done...I used this approach several times to get into the Mnweni eacarpment. There is also a back route through Lesotho whereby you can connect very quickly to the Fangs area. This is useful for a circular route approach. Lots more can be said about this if you decide this is your option. Read the following write-up for some ideas:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/8-drakensberg-hiking/55169-northern-berg-photo-trip-august-2012.html
3) I've done 8 days without re-supply in the Berg. You can definitely go longer depending on how you pack and what you eat. If you are using porters then I can't imagine 7 days being a big issue.
Consider using the Mnwni guys for guides and porters: www.mnweni.org/
1) If gradient and length of descent is a consideration, then yes, definitely.
2) This can definitely be done...I used this approach several times to get into the Mnweni eacarpment. There is also a back route through Lesotho whereby you can connect very quickly to the Fangs area. This is useful for a circular route approach. Lots more can be said about this if you decide this is your option. Read the following write-up for some ideas:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/8-drakensberg-hiking/55169-northern-berg-photo-trip-august-2012.html
3) I've done 8 days without re-supply in the Berg. You can definitely go longer depending on how you pack and what you eat. If you are using porters then I can't imagine 7 days being a big issue.
Consider using the Mnwni guys for guides and porters: www.mnweni.org/
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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01 Oct 2013 07:48 #58637
by Kentashi09
Replied by Kentashi09 on topic Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse
Hi guys
Ive been reading through all the threads to get a bearing on how to approach this walk. I was thinking about starting at Mahai then up to Sentinal carpark the up to the chain ladders etc(simply because we wouldnt have to drive around to witsieshoek which is a far way around)is this worth it? and how long would you say it would take? is it doable in a day? or should I just go from sentinal car park?
So...
Day 1: Mahai to sentinal
Day 2:sentinal to fangs cave(is this possible)
Day 3:Fang pass to ledgers cave
Day 4:ledgers cave to twins cave
Day 5:twins cave via bell traverse to cathedral peak hotel
Would this itinerary work?
What are the areas of concern (with regards to navigation etc)
id appreciate any help guys, thanks a lot
Ive been reading through all the threads to get a bearing on how to approach this walk. I was thinking about starting at Mahai then up to Sentinal carpark the up to the chain ladders etc(simply because we wouldnt have to drive around to witsieshoek which is a far way around)is this worth it? and how long would you say it would take? is it doable in a day? or should I just go from sentinal car park?
So...
Day 1: Mahai to sentinal
Day 2:sentinal to fangs cave(is this possible)
Day 3:Fang pass to ledgers cave
Day 4:ledgers cave to twins cave
Day 5:twins cave via bell traverse to cathedral peak hotel
Would this itinerary work?
What are the areas of concern (with regards to navigation etc)
id appreciate any help guys, thanks a lot
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01 Oct 2013 08:30 #58638
by ghaznavid
I did this walk over the easter weekend (writeup at www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/8-drakensberg-hiking/55256-as-the-crow-flies.html )
Its a nice route, quite easy. If you hitch a ride up Sentinel road (or pay the Witsieshoek guys to drive you up - you can arrange this via email or their facebook page) its definitely doable in a day. Personally I don't like walking on roads, but it is also not too far or difficult to walk up the road.
I enjoyed the route up Basutho Gate, and the stop for lunch at Witsieshoek is always nice - but its not a route I am in a rush to do a second time.
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse
Climbhard wrote: Ive been reading through all the threads to get a bearing on how to approach this walk. I was thinking about starting at Mahai then up to Sentinal carpark the up to the chain ladders etc(simply because we wouldnt have to drive around to witsieshoek which is a far way around)is this worth it? and how long would you say it would take? is it doable in a day? or should I just go from sentinal car park?
I did this walk over the easter weekend (writeup at www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/8-drakensberg-hiking/55256-as-the-crow-flies.html )
Its a nice route, quite easy. If you hitch a ride up Sentinel road (or pay the Witsieshoek guys to drive you up - you can arrange this via email or their facebook page) its definitely doable in a day. Personally I don't like walking on roads, but it is also not too far or difficult to walk up the road.
I enjoyed the route up Basutho Gate, and the stop for lunch at Witsieshoek is always nice - but its not a route I am in a rush to do a second time.
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02 Oct 2013 13:34 #58664
by Kentashi09
Replied by Kentashi09 on topic Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse
Hey guys
So im confused about the cost involved with hiking in the berg. Im hiking from sentinal car park to cathedral peak over 5 days. what are the entire costs involved with hiking up there and where would I book. Im tired of searching and not finding anything... any help will be appreciated
So im confused about the cost involved with hiking in the berg. Im hiking from sentinal car park to cathedral peak over 5 days. what are the entire costs involved with hiking up there and where would I book. Im tired of searching and not finding anything... any help will be appreciated
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03 Oct 2013 06:27 #58669
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse
I've merged a few threads and created this one which is the official thread for discussing the classic Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse, starting from Sentinel Car Park and ending up at Cathedral Peak. The classic 5 day itinerary descends Mlambonja Pass, though there are several variations to this, which include ending off with the Bell Traverse, or heading further South and descending one of the other Cathedral Peak passes. If your plans more or less fit in with this then this is the place to discuss it.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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03 Oct 2013 06:47 #58671
by Josh of the Bushveld
Replied by Josh of the Bushveld on topic Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse
I would love to do this trip sometime, perhaps one to plan for 2014?
Interestingly, David Bristow includes this traverse in a late 90s/early 2000s version of his book, but not in his latest edition.
Interestingly, David Bristow includes this traverse in a late 90s/early 2000s version of his book, but not in his latest edition.
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03 Oct 2013 07:07 #58673
by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse
@Josh: Perhaps (by contrast to my slightly ludicrous idea of a 26 stage GT) a 3 stage GT would make for an interesting hike. Chain Ladders to Gray's Pass, Gray's Pass to KaNtuba Pass and the KaNtuba Pass to Thamathu Pass.
Perhaps 4 stages and throw in the Free State Berg coming down Mnweni Pass and pushing stage 2 to Langies, and stage 3 to Sani.
Perhaps 4 stages and throw in the Free State Berg coming down Mnweni Pass and pushing stage 2 to Langies, and stage 3 to Sani.
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03 Oct 2013 07:14 #58674
by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Sentinel Car Park to Cathedral Peak - Northern Berg Escarpment Traverse
Just realised that half my train of thought is missing from that comment 
It goes roughly as follows:
@Josh: Great idea, sounds fun
That makes me think back to my staggered GT idea.... [insert balance of what I said here]
It goes roughly as follows:
@Josh: Great idea, sounds fun
That makes me think back to my staggered GT idea.... [insert balance of what I said here]
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