The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

How hectic is the route up the chain ladders at the amphitheatre, I hear it is not recommended for those with a fear of heights? Is there an alternative route to to the summit and much longer will it take?

The chain ladder is not hectic at all, in my experience, although I do not have a fear of heights. It is challenging, but a heck of a lot better than climbing up the rock face.

We are considering doing the chain ladder in a month or 2's time as a work function with ages ranging from 64 down to 19. One of my colleagues is 7 months pregnant, and while I am not sure she will climb the ladders, she probably will go with us up to them and wait for us to descend again. It is a very easy access to the summit for those who want to see the summit without doing the long schlep of a pass. I am considering taking my 7 yr old and my 5 yr old up early next year for a picnic at the falls and then back down. Then again, at 7 and 5yrs old, fear of heights is not really an issue, and one ladder is the same as any other. The key I suppose is just to focus on how many more rungs you have to summit.

There is another route to the top via the sentinel gulley, but it is quite steep at the top and although short can be quite exhausting. I know there is a race which Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife put on once a year going up the chain ladder and down the gulley... may be an option if you are okay going up the heights, but not coming down again. If you have hiking poles, take them along. They will be useful on your descent. Saves knees and ankles a whole lot of issues!

The gully takes around a half hour to an hour longer, depending on how out of breath you get and how much you stop to enjoy the views! It tops out near the summit of Beacon Buttress from where a trail descends down to the falls. At the top, a short detour to the left will give you a view of Sentinel that will leave you tingling.

Another question- Is there a hut that can be booked up top?

A hut has existed for many years on top but currently there is no booking system. You'd need to be prepared to share it with others. It is a bit grim and dirty but still good shelter and does offer protection from the Basutho provided the door is securly closed.

Hey Mo,

A day trip to the Amphitheatre is totally do-able even without the Chain Ladder. Go up Beacon Buttress Gully instead. It's steep but not exposed like the ladders. There are some scrambly bits, and even an old wooden ladder which is largely in pieces now. As long as you're OK with a bit of scrambling, you'll be fine.

See these threads for more detail:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/11-drakensberg-passes/629-amphitheatre.html
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/8-drakensberg-hiking/123-chain-ladders.html

GPS data:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/downloads/doc_details/35-beacon-buttress-gully-gps-data.html

Have fun!