The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

You may be able to pitch tents out of sight at the top of the gully leading up to the Beacon Buttress summit - but I can't remember how flat it is just there. The tactic of tenting up there is along the lines of thieves not being bothered with going up the Buttress and either taking on, or waiting for, easier pickings near the falls.

In order to avoid thieves, people generally camp on the other side of the amphitheatre, beyond the other two falls. But with the Sentinel route on the cards, that would not be so convenient.

Last year during the winter solstice, myself and a mate camped in the basin during a stormy weekend. We had loads of fun in the tempest. We saw no-one while up there. Only saw hikers for the first time when we descended.
This time though I am taking some friends up who don't have much Berg experience and would not want to sour it for them by exposure to thievery. They are training for a long hard hike at altitude and also they want to test their gear so I want to give them a good and safe experience.
I understand that nothing is guaranteed but we can minimize risk by being prepared and by making good choices. Thanks for all the advice so far.

I suspect there is no water on Beacon so should you get it at the Tugela on the way?
How is the Beacon Gully with a big pack - doable or damn hard?
Beacon via Chains - is this a better option with a big pack?
How far/long is it to the other side of the amphitheatre, beyond the other two falls? Waypoints?

Again, thanks for the advice
Marley

Marley wrote:
I suspect there is no water on Beacon so should you get it at the Tugela on the way?
How is the Beacon Gully with a big pack - doable or damn hard?
Beacon via Chains - is this a better option with a big pack?
How far/long is it to the other side of the amphitheatre, beyond the other two falls? Waypoints?

Marley

To try and answer your 4 questions.
1) Indeed no water supply to speak of, there are some very slight trickles down Beacon Buttress gully from the sides but not usable. The Tugela is a good distance from Beacon Buttress though, add to that the fact that most guys do not recommend drinking from the Tugela.....maybe take enough water for the first day with you.
2) Its a relatively easy rock pass, definitely doable with a big pack. Having said that, most I've done it with is a 13kg pack, which is not really heavy, so heavier packs may be a bit tougher here and there. But I do know the gully well and can honestly say there are not any sections you will not get up, maybe once or twice a pack could be pulled up with rope afterwards if you feel your balance is too disturbed with it on the back.
3) Hell no, I much prefer the gully than having to slog up the backside of the Beacon. It is a solid slog. It will also take much longer than just using the gully straight up.
4) From Beacon Buttress you are looking at 5.9km right to base of Mt Amery. About 4.5km to Bilanjil falls (These distances are estimated using a route that hugs the escarpment beyond the Tugela). I will be doing this one somewhere in the next two weeks enroute to Mt Amery.

Hi
Does anyone know how much it cost to sleep in the dorm at the Sentinel car park?
Is it necessary to book in advance or do you just rock up?
Do they lock the door at a specific time? We're expecting to arrive there around 9pm.
Is there a number to phone?

Thanks
Marley

I plan to go to the chainladders over the weekend. I organized accomodation for friday night in Kestell and plan to do the 60km to the carpark early saturday morning. We want to spend the day on the escarpment and then go back to our accom at Kestel again on saturday evening and return to JHB sunday morning early. My girlfriend is not very fit but ok. Will we be able to have a reasonable time on top of the escarpment ? And the road to the car park. I will be riding a superbike and she will be riding a Xt600. Would it be ok ? i know that snow is in the forcast for the weekend but at least I will not be sleeping in a tent.
Thanx very much!