The Mt Aux Sources - Amphitheatre - Tugela thread

Hi Ralph,

Welcome to VE!

You have a few options available. You can try Crows nest cave (pretty much on the way to Ifidi cave), or Icidi cave, or then quite a bit further Fags cave. Icidi isn't very protected, so if a rainstorm blows in from the escarpment you might get wet - pack a bvvy bag or something if the weather looks like it might be wet.

Other than caves, there are lots of tenting spots you can go for. On the way towards Ifidi cave but more towards the escarpment side there are a spot where the mountain club has built a small walled enclosure. Not sure of it's exact location, maybe somebody else can help out with coordinates? There's plenty of flat spots all along the way to the cave, which is far enough from the Tugela falls to be out of sight. In the vicinity of Mount Oompie are nice areas, and then I've had lunch next to a small waterfall (it is indicated on the maps) near the Eastern Buttress which was also nice.

Most of the valley floors will do nicely, but I've also pitched a 3 man tent just below Icidi cave on a flat spot, about 80m or so down from the cave, as you walk down it is towards your right hand side.

As Riaang says, plenty of spots to camp with a tent.

Walking from Tugela, the first stream you cross is Bilanjil, amazing views back over the Tugela and Eastern Butress , tenting behind a rock wall and beautiful stream right there.  



Walking further south along the escarpment past Mount Amery, just to the north of iFidi pass, there is a nose called Thaba Ndanyazana which has an amazing view back over the Singathi Wall and Mount Amery.  Tenting, there will be water at the moment in that area, small pools and trickles.

In this view of Singathi Wall, there was a small trickle of water behind the tents from which we filled up for the two days that we stayed there.


Further south near Top of iCidi Pass tenting or a cave near the top of the pass and water in a waterfall (great for a cold power massage) about 200m sw of the pass.

 

Lots of amazing scenery in this stretch.  Hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration