The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

18 Jul 2018 12:12 #73693 by WarrenM

Replied by WarrenM on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

Thanks for the post Vivo

Seeing that you were there could I ask what the progress/status is with the Chain ladder? Have they been replaced or not as yet, have they been removed?

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WarrenM
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19 Jul 2018 12:26 #73695 by vivo101

Replied by vivo101 on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

The chain ladders are still there and I could not see any indication that they started working on them. There is a big board stating that the chain ladders are closed, situated at the split by the gully, but this is largely ignored by most hikers is seems.

"To those who are enthralled by mountains, their wonder is beyond all dispute. To those who are not, their allure is a kind of madness." - Mountain

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vivo101
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18 Nov 2018 20:37 #74214 by Fuwaad

Replied by Fuwaad on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

Hi there.

i am planning on doing a hike this weekend starting from Friday - Sunday. Can you guys recommend anything. I’m not sure about routes as such but initially thought that I climb to the tugela on Friday. Camp the night, then the next day hike as close to devils tooth as I can and back to the tugela, then on Sunday walk down to witsieshoek.

there is only 2 of us so concerned about safety as well.

I have also thought about the mnweni hike from Mcc to mnweni pass and back again but I don’t know the route and can’t afford a guide.

Is the ampi hike worth it or not?

thanks

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21 Nov 2018 00:25 #74254 by intrepid

Replied by intrepid on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

Yes, I would say the Amphitheatre is a classic part of the Berg and something that every Berg hiker should explore. I don't recommend overnight camping there currently however because the long-standing theft issues, which have seen a trend towards actual attacks and harassment in recent times. These do not happen frequently compared to other crime in SA, and it is debated whether people should or should not camp there. Some do, others don't. If you are reasonably hiking fit you can cover that ground as a day hike. Day hiking is safer than staying overnight. There is a lot of info on security on the site, have a look through. This post has a map indicating the problem areas in the Northern Berg.

Use the seach box on the right to look up things like "2 day hikes", "3 day hikes", "overnight hikes" and "weekend hikes" - you may find some useful ideas there.

As a note to readers in general, there are a lot of hike ideas and suggestions spread across the forum under various topics. I will look at trying to group these together more into region and day-itinerary length. So in other words we will have a thread for day hikes at Cathedral Peak, another for 2 day hike options in the same area and another for 3 day hike options (perhaps not broken down that much for every area, but certainly for the bigger and popular areas). There is also a totally new section for the site in the pipeline which could be used to make this information and the forum links easier to find. You can help in 2 ways: 1) when positing questions, always look at existing threads and if your question is relevant to the topic, post it there. 2) I welcome content that others may want to put together such as your own article on "Best overnight hiking options" or "Good beginner hikes in the Berg", which can be in addition to the official thread on these. You can see what I have been putting together in shorter FAQ format here as another example. This will also tie in to the new section that will be released.

Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.

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21 Nov 2018 22:53 #74260 by Fuwaad

Replied by Fuwaad on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

Thanks Intrepid.

This site is full of good information. I have learnt quite a bit these past few days by being on this site and forum. I feel like I am a lot more prepared in terms of the hike this coming weekend. Actually made up my mind with regards to the destination on the weekend hike. Monks cowl to vultures retreat if all goes well, obviously based on various reasons. Looking forward to it.

Thanks again.

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02 Dec 2018 00:25 - 02 Dec 2018 00:33 #74305 by Dudley

Replied by Dudley on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

Might anyone be heading up that-away next weekend (December 7-9)?
I'll be heading up and hoping to see some folks up there.
The moon will be new on the 7th and waxing to <1% on the 8th... The stars will be amazing if there is no weather... Looks like rain by the 7th but that might change (nothing concrete for after that yet).

I'm thinking
Night 1 Ifidi Cave or Camp at ribbon falls if time does not allow.
Night 2 Crows Nest Cave or camp somewhere in the Amphi area, probable beacon buttress.

Last edit: 02 Dec 2018 00:33 by Dudley.

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05 Dec 2018 13:33 #74326 by Freddie

Replied by Freddie on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

We're a party of four heading up on Satuday morning. Two inexperienced hikers, so we will most probably camp close to the Tugela on the amphi. Would have loved to overnight in Ifidi, but I fear the distance will be too great for the two hikers. Weather isn't looking all that great at the moment though...

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11 Mar 2019 15:10 - 11 Mar 2019 15:16 #74751 by Dispholidus

Replied by Dispholidus on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

Hey guys, we are a group of 4 planning on sleeping next to Bilanjil falls/river. It will be my third time on the mountain and I always slept next to the Tugela falls but for security reasons I will not be camping there anymore.
We will only get to Sentinel car park around 17:00 so will be sleeping the first night at the car park (tent) if allowed. The next day we will spend some time at Tugela falls and will camp at Bilanjil for the night.

Is this map correct as to where Bilanjil falls are and can someone please give me an indication of how far from Tugela falls it is.
Thanks

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Last edit: 11 Mar 2019 15:16 by Dispholidus.

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11 Mar 2019 17:08 #74752 by DesPorter

Replied by DesPorter on topic The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

I once took a group up from the car park and had to repeatedly get them to keep moving, one chap referred to me as the sergeant major. We went up the chain ladders and messed around the Tugela falls and then crossed over the hill behind the hut into the Bilanjil valley. This was easily done in spite of all the faffing. Our original aim was top of Ifidi pass, a comfortable walk from the car park, but had to settle for less because of all the delays. There is an obvious camp site next to the river. If you are concerned about security ignore that camp site and rather camp on the hill side above the valley.

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