Area between Blindmans Corner and Injisuthi

09 Jan 2023 10:07 #78250 by JoMil
Hi everyone!
Looking for some advice/ recommendations regarding exploring the area between blindmans corner and injisuthi..  have done a short day walk along the contour path to the 'left'/ south of blindmans corner (I.e. opposite direction to Keith Bush route), but havnt found much info on this area. Would ideally like a 2 night/ 3 day route, preferably including a night on the escarpment. Are there any loops/ managable passes to the left of blindmans corner? Open to suggestions.. We've done Mweni/ Rockeries and Cathedreal Peak summit before, and a few overnight hikes in various parts of little berg. Had thought of doing Leslie's pass via Marble baths, then descending Gray's pass to end at Monks Cowl, but we're trying to avoid the logistics of starting and finishing at different places.
Thanks!

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
09 Jan 2023 11:07 #78251 by petroengel
Hello!
I would suggest you make Injisuthi your start and end: go up Corner/Judge and come down via Leslie. I haven't done this particular loop (I did Judge-Bannerman from Giants Castle) but I've seen many posts from people doing this loop in 3 days. You can even summit Mafadi while you are there. 

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
10 Jan 2023 09:57 #78256 by Riaang
Hi Jomil

Welcome to VE!

Turning left (south) at BMC will simply get you to the top of the ridge immediately above you. This ring doesn't take you to the escarpment directly. You can decide to overnight at Wonder Valley cave, which is close to Injasuthi camp itself, being about 2km's max from Van Heyenings pass. Check it out on the map. What we've done before is to turn left at BMC, get to the top of the ridge, then go down the other side (going towards the escarpment) towards Cowl Fork stream. from here you can either go straight ahead towards the escarpment and ascend via Ships Prow pass (which I wouldn't recommend for somebody relatively new to the Berg, unless you want an adventure), or you can turn right at the junction and bundu bash up to Moncs Cowl itself, where there is a cave near the top (but on the Grays pass side). Not quite the escarpment, but close enough with fantastic views. Then just drop down on the KBC side and you can do the loop back to the campsite.

You are a bit limited with options here i.t.o. getting to the escarpment. It's either the beforementioned, or Grays pass, or the Injasuthi area further south. Starting from Injasuthi campsite you can do the Leslies/Corner/Judges/Bannermans loop, or if you want to go north from MoncsCowl campsite then go up Grays, explore the top and go down the same. Nkosazana cave near the top of Grays can work for an overnight shelter, but it is often damp with drips in summer. Alternatively there are many tenting spots on the escarpment. Why not explore the top of Grays? There are some really scenic areas, especially if you go to the to of Champagne Castle, and you can walk all the way to the top of Moncs Cowl itself. Enough to see to keep you busy for a while. Here's what I would do if I were you:
Day 1 Moncs Cowl campsite to KBC. Get there early enough and you have some time to take in the splendor of this area.
Day 2 Up Grays pass, explore South, maybe go as far as the top of Ships Prow and the walk back via Champagne Castle, check out Moncs Cowl from the top and go back to Vultures retreat area (immediately north of the top of Grays Pass). This day involves quite a bit of vert, and at altitude, so be prepared for a bit of suffering)
Day 3 Back down Grays pass, KBC, BMC, CMoncs Cowl campsite. You probably came up the Sphincs after leaving the camp on day 1, so go back via the other pass (forgotten its name now, but from BMC as you hike back, it's the first path branching off from the main path to your left. It's maybe 300m from BMC, if that much). Note that there is often little water here, so it might be worth your while to top up at the stream immediately south of BMC (may 60m to the south when you are at the T-junction. It flows through the BMC camping spot).

Ok, this is enough info to get you going :-)

Enjoy the Berg!!!

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
Powered by Kunena Forum