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The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread
19 Jun 2013 08:16 #57380
by lerookie
Replied by lerookie on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread
Hi there,
Is there anyone who could tell me how far of a hike it would be from the chain ladder to any cave to overnight in?
Eg the Ifidi cave? I want to sleep over when we get to the top but not hike too far as we're pressured for time.
Help anyone? Thank you!
Is there anyone who could tell me how far of a hike it would be from the chain ladder to any cave to overnight in?
Eg the Ifidi cave? I want to sleep over when we get to the top but not hike too far as we're pressured for time.
Help anyone? Thank you!
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19 Jun 2013 08:56 #57381
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread
Hi lerookie and welcome to this forum.
I moved your last post here since its a better place to answer this question. Consider Crows Nest Cave which ghaz suggested above...its pretty close to the Falls and can easily be reached. Ifidi Cave is much further away and in an entirely different area. The quickest way is through the back valleys, and even then its a solid 6 hours of walking and about 14km. And once you pass the Falls, this route isnt as scenic as following the escarpment edge along Mt Amery and Singati - that route is even longer.
I moved your last post here since its a better place to answer this question. Consider Crows Nest Cave which ghaz suggested above...its pretty close to the Falls and can easily be reached. Ifidi Cave is much further away and in an entirely different area. The quickest way is through the back valleys, and even then its a solid 6 hours of walking and about 14km. And once you pass the Falls, this route isnt as scenic as following the escarpment edge along Mt Amery and Singati - that route is even longer.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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19 Jun 2013 13:42 #57401
by Boerkie
Replied by Boerkie on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread
@lerookie
Go for Ribbon Falls (Escarpment). Very safe and secluded with the best views ever! Clean drinking water! Dont drink from the Tugela.
Picture here
PS: Only small footprint for tent, make sure you are prepared to spoon you hiking buddy.
Go for Ribbon Falls (Escarpment). Very safe and secluded with the best views ever! Clean drinking water! Dont drink from the Tugela.
Picture here
PS: Only small footprint for tent, make sure you are prepared to spoon you hiking buddy.
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24 Jun 2013 12:14 #57443
by OMM
Replied by OMM on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread
I am planning to hike up to and stay in Crows Nest Cave on Saturday night (29/06/13). Has anyone stayed in the cave recently, and if so, what was the condition of the cave and were there any shepherds evident in the area? For various reasons, we cannot get across to Ifidi area to pitch tent on Saturday, so I thought maybe the cave would be best security wise??
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24 Jun 2013 19:31 - 24 Jun 2013 20:18 #57461
by Sterkhorn
Replied by Sterkhorn on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread
@OMM This was the condition of it at the beginning of May. There were two guys using it a few days earlier and they had seen no signs of shepherds. I suspect that the shepherds are unlikely to be back until after winter.
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Last edit: 24 Jun 2013 20:18 by intrepid.
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25 Jun 2013 11:08 #57467
by OMM
Replied by OMM on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread
Thanks so much for the info. Am really looking forward to the weekend!!
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26 Jun 2013 05:56 #57470
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread
I agree, most of the shepherds will not be around. You might still see individuals even in the winter, but I wouldn't be overly concerned about it. We will also be around there this weekend. I think on Saturday night we might sleep in the hut, not too sure though where we will land up.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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03 Jul 2013 07:34 - 03 Jul 2013 07:40 #57511
by Marley
Replied by Marley on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread
Hi
How long will it take to get to the Tugela falls via the chains from the carpark?
Planning on sleeping on top of the Sentinel for safety reasons, but also need to visit the falls, so we either hike with all the kit to the falls and back to the Sentinel, or go up the Sentinel and pitch camp, come down and go to the falls and then head up the Sentinel again.
Is there a "safe" stash spot where we can hide our packs close to the start of the Standard route up the Sentinel? This, I know, is not ideal.
Any advice?
How long will it take to get to the Tugela falls via the chains from the carpark?
Planning on sleeping on top of the Sentinel for safety reasons, but also need to visit the falls, so we either hike with all the kit to the falls and back to the Sentinel, or go up the Sentinel and pitch camp, come down and go to the falls and then head up the Sentinel again.
Is there a "safe" stash spot where we can hide our packs close to the start of the Standard route up the Sentinel? This, I know, is not ideal.
Any advice?
Last edit: 03 Jul 2013 07:40 by Marley.
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03 Jul 2013 08:11 #57512
by tiska
Replied by tiska on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread
No one will bother you on the Sentinel, I'm sure. But the Beacon Buttress may be as good. If you see the Sentinel plan through, then stashing your gear at the top of the first short climbing pitch would do the trick.
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03 Jul 2013 08:27 #57514
by Marley
Replied by Marley on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread
Shot
Will we be out of sight in tents on Beacon Buttress?
Do we have to keep the lights out?
Will we be out of sight in tents on Beacon Buttress?
Do we have to keep the lights out?
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