Mnweni hikes - 4 days or longer

Regarding sleeping on top, please be aware that there have been two violent incidents in the vicinity of Fangs, one in 2016 , another in April this year . Intrepid mapped the locations of the major incidents in the Mnweni / Amphitheatre over the last decade  here .

I didn't realize there have been attacks this recently
Will then try to avoid camping in the open and hide away from main paths but I think we should be okay as Fangs is pretty secluded.
from what I read in those articles it seems like people are followed from the top of the escarpment. 

I didn't realize there have been attacks this recently
Will then try to avoid camping in the open and hide away from main paths but I think we should be okay as Fangs is pretty secluded.
from what I read in those articles it seems like people are followed from the top of the escarpment. 

Hi Pieter,

Welcome to VE!

Route:
Just reading this thread now so a bit late in responding, but here is my 2 cents worth.
5 days is more than sufficient. This loop is normally done in 3 days, and I would even say that people who are moderately fit would have no problem in completing it in 3 days. 2 days starts getting challenging and 1 day is for the light and fast crowd.

Drones:
I don't know the laws regarding flying drones in Lesotho, but the likelihood of finding more than 10 people on your entire trip is low. There is a higher probability of berg winds destroying your drone than someone being annoyed by the sight and sound of it. 

Water:
The berg is quite dry in areas this time of year, but the normal escarpment rivers should still be flowing. Here is my advise, especially if you guys are hiking at a slow speed. Top up where you find water. The days are getting warmer and if you spend 5 hours or more on say Fangs pass you will start to dehydrate. Much less of an issue if you get up quickly though. Look at the water level in the rivers, top up before it disappears. On Fangs you might get water up to 2400m now, but if the waterfall near the base of the pass is weak then top up sooner rather than later. On the escarpment you will have to descend quite a bit to the river far, far below (it will feel that way ) and then you are in for a climb back up again to your camping spot on the escarpment (if you want the views, else you can camp next to the stream).

Attacks:
There is a lot you can do to minimise your risk.
1 - Sleeping over in a cave is always a good option, you are not easily spotted and access to your sleeping area is limited. There are a number of caves available in this area, like fangs cave and Pins cave. However, you will have to go get water from the escarpment rivers so you are in for a bit of extra effort, which could be worth the effort though.
2 - Look around, see if you are being watched. If yes, move on.
3 - If you tent, find a spot with good visibility all round
4 - The weapon of choice is stones, so where possible camp where there are no stones. Or clear the stones around your tent and pile them up in a heap or two around your tent. They will see this and know you are prepared for them
5 - You can go more extreme and rig some sort of early warning/alarm system. Note that horses and wild animals will set it off as well.
6 - You can stand watch.
7 - The MO of the latest attacks were that they attacked at around 10pm, so if you stay up late enough they might decide to not attack.
8 - Take pepper spray and more if you feel the need. 
9 - Attacks seems to occur more over full moon cycles as the higher visibility assists the attckers

Enjoy your time in the Berg, I am sure you will absolutely love it.

On the subject of drones in the berg - this is where the breeding sites of the endangered lammergeier are to be found and there is NO absolutely NO justification in disturbing one of these breeding sites.  

  If I do take a drone which I probably won't, disturbing any animals in nature is not ethical and should be common sense to most people the main goal being amazing footage of the berg.
 Secondly flying a drone near or where big birds such as the lammergeier as well as birds of prey are isn't a good idea.

@Riaang
On the notes of water I'll be sure to see how the waterfall is running on day 2, my biggest concern at the moment is not finding the caves.
I did however find the gpx files from the download section hopefully those will come in handy.
I love jogging too so if we have a water problem I could easily jog to the nearest water source early morning before breaking camp.
I loved your mini hike photos that you uploaded yesterday, where was it taken would love to add another route to my bucket list.
I've flown many RC planes and drones generally you can avoid crashing your drone by knowing when you can fly and when you shouldn't.
Any advise on rigging early warning systems ? if I do feel the need. (been watched earlier in the day or something)
Looks like I'm completely missing a full moon.

Hi Pietervanzyl,
To locate Fangs cave you need to find the correct side gully when you are near the top of Fangs Pass. There are several side gullies to choose from. The cave is in the side gully with the rock arch which is visible if you keep on the left hand side (going up) of Fangs pass near the top. Since there are very few rock arches in the northern Berg, the arch is a good marker. It's no good in the mist though.

Fangs cave - or any other cave for that matter - hasn't had a security incident. It's far better statistically than tenting on top. Fetching water from Lesotho will obviously get you seen though.

Tiska described Fangs cave, and then a bit further South you can seek out Pins cave, end thereafter ledges/Mponjwane.
Photos was from our hike this past weekend in the Catherdal Peak are. Did a proper write-up of the trip last nigh, go check it out.
Security systems, mmmhhh. I know a guy who used those portable infrared alarms. Works very well and super noisy when triggered. Also heard of fishing lines around pegs around your campsite attached to something that will make a noise when the wire is moved, like a tin filled with pebbles etc.

Would everyone recommend this hike over four days or the classic three day mNweni rockeries loop? Also, have no shame in getting a ride down dirt roads to start or end the hike.

Thanks!

@Ephishl... If you have not been to Mnweni before, I suggest you do the Mnweni classic (Rockeries & Mnweni Pass) to get a feel of the area. You can also do this over 4 days to better explore the area. Then you can come back over several hikes and do the other passes. The whole area is stunning so everything at Mnweni is recommended.