Keith Bush Camp - Gray's Pass - Vulture's Retreat - Champagne Castle hike

i do the mahai to witsieshoek mountain hut and then chain ladder to tugela falls hike quite often .Its a pity people dont turn the hike into a 3 day special by starting at Mahai going up the Mahai Valley and then overnighting at Witsieshoek for night one and the summit for night two . It offers great scenery and contrasts too and turns a day hike into a multi day hike. Its as beautiful as Mweni day Hike but far easier!

I thought time to try something different as well and Grays seems like a beautiful hike .

Is it advisable (safe) to leave tents pitched at Keith Bush camp, with the bulk of your gear, while you go up and down Gray's pass?

camping on top of Grays pass must be good. i would not like to leave my gear at any spot for a whole day unattended. In fact what is the situation about leaving the gear for an hour or two on the summit at grays and going to explore vultures retreat and the waterfall.. would it be safe from theft?

You going up this weekend Ivan? We are planning on going up and down Grays pass from Monks Cowl over 3 days from Friday, camping both nights at Keith Bush

hi thinking of it as an option .why dont you spend a night on the summit?are you going to leave monks cowl early friday morning?

Security at the top, we have been advised that people have to take turns been on 'watch' at night? Also hoping not to have to lug our gear all the way to the top and back. From Keith Bush we can get up quickly and spend the best part of a day on the top before heading back down for a second night's camp. Yes, planning to leave Monks Cowl relatively early on Friday, when are you heading up?

hmm i have not heard that people have had to keep watch on top .I know its relatively busy with people coming down etc but i hear that there have been no incidents on top ? Can anyone verify?

Spent a night on top in that area around 3 weeks ago (closer to Ships Prow) - no issues, a few sheperds around. Have some matches and cigarettes handy to make friends quickly

i have a garmin etrex 10 which is an old one and cant connect it to laptop to download

is it possible to get co ordinates for keith bush camp?
and then any significant co ordnates for actual grays pass itself such as any important waypoints ie turns, nkozazanas cave etc good overnight spot to camp etc
thanks

It is not safe to leave gear in a place like Keith Bush Camp all day. There are great spots to tent at the top of Grays Pass...along the river. It will also give you time in the afternoon to explore the Vultures Retreat/escarpment area and decent the next morning The longer you can be on a high, the better!!