The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

For your first night, why not sleep over in Sentinel caves rather than at the carpark? If you walk really slowly you should get there in about 90 minutes, so you should arrive with enough light left to easily spot the cave. Did exactly this in Dec 2018 and we slept in the cave furthest from the chainladders. We were 4 hikers and had ample space, cave could probably take 8 hikers. Benefits are that you are already at altitude, and definitely safe. You could then also explore further the next day as you have already done a good bit of hiking the previous day.

Regarding sleeping on top, you could definitely push a bit further and sleep on higher ground, there are ample sleeping spots as you go past the eastern buttress. Also, Ifidi cave is awesome and not much further south from this point - maybe 5km max and definitely worth the extra walk. The early morning views from the top of the Ifidi ridge is spectacular, and you could then also walk over to Icidi and peer down the cliff face where the guys do parachute jumps from - really spectacular. I've taken newbies on this exact route and they've found it easy enough. The return leg is mostly downhill (except the climbing sections up to Tugela falls, or up to Beacon buttress if you want to go down the gully) so you should make good time getting home.

Enjoy!

Thanks guys much appreciated. Riaang I really wanted to go and look for Ifidi caves before my friends decided to join me. If they are willing we will definitely do just that.
We have the whole Saturday to explore. Thanks again everyone for your advice.

Hi Guys

My mate and I are thinking of doing a night walk from Sentinel Car Park this friday evening and popping over the hill to bilanjil falls area 

Any idea what time the gate at the car park closes?  Where do we have to pay these days, can we pay on the way down and is there still a mountain register at the Sentinel car park?

Thanks
Karl

Hi Guys, do any one know of a memorial plaque in the Mt Aux Sources area? I have someone trying to find the plaque but I cannot say that I have seen or heard of it before.

Any help or info would be appreciated - Deon

There was a plague erected to Peter Christensen at the top of the amphitheatre which is no longer there.  The full story is found in Pearse's 'Dragons wrath'.

Hi guys. Not my picture. I saw it on the internet and was just wondering whether this is at Devils tooth ? 

 

Spykid wrote: Hi guys. Not my picture. I saw it on the internet and was just wondering whether this is at Devils tooth ? 

 

Hi see attached photos, this is on the amphitheater,  about 2 km  beyond the Tugela falls. 

Hi All

I am hoping to do a trip up to the Sentinel/Tugela Falls in early 2021. The idea is to use the opportunity to get some awesome 'Berg images and this would ideally mean a 3 day/2 night stay (to have 2 mornings and 2 nights on site)

- Is the hikers hut available to anyone ? is it first come/first serve or is there a booking system ? and cost ?
- Considering that it would be great to have strong flow over the falls, what would the suggested time to go (between mid Jan and mid March) ?
- Considering the expensive camera equipment , should any additional safety precautions be taken?

Any advise or suggestions would be appreciated

@trailfox. When I was last there the hut was full of rubbish and unsafe to overnight. Better to tent nearer to the falls where everyone tents. The flow in the Tugela will be dependent on Spring and summer rains and anywhere between end Nov to March should see enough water. With expensive camera equipment (mine is close to k150 which includes 2 lenses) it is better to go with a group, and still the thieves can rob large groups as I once found out. Put your equipment close to you in the tent as the thieves can cut the tent and put their hands into the bell & if you are fast asleep wont even know it, until they make a noise or their hand touches you somewhere. This is not to scare you but make you aware, especially in the Tugela Falls/Amphitheatre area. I hike sometimes alone and because of expensive camera equip take an extra 9mm special lens. Gavin, if you connect with me next year we can do some photography hikes together. As I mentioned to you before we are doing a photography hike at Mnweni from 3 to 8 September and you are welcome to come....might even be able to assist you with hiking equipment if you need.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.