The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

According to my personal preferences, I wouldn't want to break up camp only to re-establish it at another location which is very close by and which doesn't really offer anything different. Provided you are planning to stay near your tents during the day, consider just staying at one of those two locations. Avoid leaving your tent unattended during the day for security reasons.

If it's Ribbon Falls vs Bilanjil, I would go for Ribbon Falls - nicer, and a little further away from the main area where theft is an issue. But if you are considering Ribbon Falls are, consider going a little further just over the hump into the small bowl at Mount Amery. Usually the water supply is good there and the area is much more secluded.

If you want to do more backpacking during the day rather than just taking in the Amphitheatre views, there are several options for doing circular routes to the Ifidi area and back.

Regardless of what you do, be mindful of the security problems in this area.

Hi antheakav, and welcome to VE.

I really like suggesting the bowl at Mt Amery whenever this question comes up. It's a nice spot and one of the more secluded ones too.

Have a look through this article, it is over 13 years old but still holds a lot of relevance:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/blog/20-drakensberg/security/16-amphitheatre-hotspot-for-theft.html

Rohan1 wrote: Hi Everyone, 

I'm new to the forum so please forgive me if what I am about to ask has already been discussed. 

Im planiing a hike in the amphitheatre region and this will be my first time in the Royal Natal section. 
We would like to do some kind of of loop that includes the big ticket items like the chain ladders, Mount Aux Sources and the Tugela waterfall.

Herewith is my question: Is it possible to include the previous mentioned in a 3-day( 2 Night) loop that ends back at Sentenal carpark? Is it perhaps possible to go up to the escarpment via the chain ladders and then back down via the Tugela gorge trail?  Would my timeframe fit this?

If not, what other possible routes or passes could be used to make a loop? A loop would be nice as it allows to not have to go back on the same trail (as many do on the day hike) 

Thanks in advance 

hi Rohan,
Have a look through the thread for Northern Berg escarpment loops from Sentinel Car Park/Amphitheatre for ideas on doing loops from and back to the Chain Ladders. For example you can do a loop to the Ifidi area and back. As for routes from the Amphitheatre directly down to RNNP, there are some gullies which are not typical hiking routes and which generally require abseiling, so I do not reccomened these as part of your trip. Some of these routes are indexed here.

wrote:

Good day, where is the best spot to camp for an overnight trip for two? Is it safe to camp at the tugela falls?
 

Many people camp at the falls, but that is also where much of the night-time theft occurs, so I like to encourage people to camp further away in more secluded areas. Please have a look through this article for some ideas.