Bannerman Hut

Hi Warren,

The roof part you are referring too was "fixed" by my husband with a piece of paracord. So not a permanent fix at all, but did the trick quite well since no more flapping in the wind. This will still need some attention.

We staying at Bannerman this weekend. If any changes I will let you know. First time doing Bannermans pass, can someone give me a rough idea on how long it takes to go up the pass and back down to the hut and the the offices? (stop off at spearmans cave for tea etc)
I had initially wanted to stay at bannermans hut and go up banners pass and then down langalibalele back to the offices but decided against it due to lack of experience in the area and fitness (training for Amatola in December), unless it is a lot easier than initially thought?

Welcome to VE SimLan,

How long is a piece of string? Fitness levels is very relative, some people can do it in a morning, some will take days to complete the same route. The weather also plays an important part in any berg hike. Super hot, humid days with no water available will definitely be harder than say an overcast day with lots of water in the streams.

Here is what I would suggest you do. If you've never hiked in the Berg, you need to understand that it is more difficult than something like a Fanie Botha, Amatola, Blyderiviers, Tsitsikamma etc. The main reason is that you climb much higher than on a "normal" hutted hike. You are in for roughly 1500m ascent if you want to go to the top of the escarpment in one day. This can be quite taxing on the legs, especially if you carry a heavy pack and it's a hot day. If you are at all unsure, why not split the ascent over 2 days? I normally follow this strategy when I take people who have never hiked in the berg to the escarpment. In this case your first day will be a relaxing 10,5km hike to Bannermans hut, with only about 500m elevation gain. You will also start to acclimatise to the higher altitude, which will probably affect you on day 2.

Bannermans pass itself is relatively easy and quite short. When you start out from the hut and start to walk up to the pass itself, you will need to cross the river as the footpath is on the right (true left) of the river itself. Follow it upwards until it disappears. By now, you would be in the throat of the pass itself. Spare rib cave is a nice spot for a break, if I remember correctly it is at around 2700m, so roughly halfway up the pass. There are 2 caves, the one further away from the pass is the nice one. From here you will have to climb over a couple of large boulders, till you eventually get to the final steep grassy gully that takes you to the top of the escarpment. Note that there is no water available here. You will have to walk first a bit to your right to go around the passhead, then left (South) and still higher to go over Bannermans ridge.

Once over the top, you can either sleep over in Bannermans cave (it can take between 4 (inside) and 6 people (2 outside, maybe 3) or make your way lower down the valley towards Langies. Have you given thought to where you want to sleep at the end of day 2? You could either sleep here, or yes, you could go down Langies and all the way back to camp. Not too difficult but could be a bit long if you're not used to berg hiking. I would say this is an easy 3 day hike for beginners, a lekker 2 day hike for regular hikers and a typical 1 day loop for day hikers carrying light packs and who are used to the berg,

Hope the advise helps.

Enjoy!!!

Agreed with Riaang on all accounts. this is a great 2 night hike. 1st night in bannerman hut, short ascent up Bannermans Pass and across to tent near Langies pass. Wake up to insane views (pass is pretty and the cross/memorial is there too) and trek down to the car (generally move faster on the homeward loop)

Thanks Riaang,
We've done the odd hike here or there up to Tarn cave, Zulu cave and Rolands cave, accompanied by a couple lower berg hikes so definitely not experienced. But I do understand the wrath the Berg can unleash and always go prepared and a bit more. The soon to be Mrs and I are doing Amatola for our honeymoon so figured the best training would be straight up and down and I've decided to start ticking some of the passes off the to do list...Unfortunately we only have Saturday night available this weekend therefore can only do a one nighter in the berg. I saw many write ups of Banners and Langies split over 2 days but regrettably that isn't possible for me at the moment but still keen to spend a night in bannerman.
So I think we'll take it a bit easier and stretch out our 2 day hike, load the bag with a lot of weight (beers) and get the gear tested again. Thank you very much for your time and in depth reply.

Please let me know of any other hikes you would suggest, 3 day hike and 2 days as well.

Many thanks,
Simon

SimLan wrote: Thanks Riaang,
We've done the odd hike here or there up to Tarn cave, Zulu cave and Rolands cave, accompanied by a couple lower berg hikes so definitely not experienced. But I do understand the wrath the Berg can unleash and always go prepared and a bit more. The soon to be Mrs and I are doing Amatola for our honeymoon so figured the best training would be straight up and down and I've decided to start ticking some of the passes off the to do list...Unfortunately we only have Saturday night available this weekend therefore can only do a one nighter in the berg. I saw many write ups of Banners and Langies split over 2 days but regrettably that isn't possible for me at the moment but still keen to spend a night in bannerman.
So I think we'll take it a bit easier and stretch out our 2 day hike, load the bag with a lot of weight (beers) and get the gear tested again. Thank you very much for your time and in depth reply.

Please let me know of any other hikes you would suggest, 3 day hike and 2 days as well.

Many thanks,
Simon

If the weather is good, you can actually do 1 night to the top of Langalibalele pass and back the next day. The route is shorter than going to Bannerman’s and the pass is even easier. This way, you will have an opportunity to sleep on top and will fit into your schedule. I have seen many hikers going to the top of Langalibalele and back as a day hike from Giant’s car park. With day packs obviously.

Hey. Any further updates on the condition of the roof, and hut in general? I am taking a bunch of novices up there in December and need to know if we should bring tents or trust the hut...

Hi Christof, I haven't had any further feedback from EKZN, the Hut is still largely in good condition, so as long as you book it you shouldn't need your tents

Just a general word on booking shelters - sometimes they are occupied, even if you've booked the shelter. Do you have a plan B for such an eventuality? What I usually do (and this is just a bit of practical advice, use it, lose it, your choice) when booking shelters, is to at least take some form of alternative protection along should the hut or cave be occupied.

I often take a bivvy bag along - my RAB Alpine bivvy weighs under 500g and is fully waterproof and breathable. You can also pack an emergency blanket, anything to keep the cold and/or rain away from your sleeping bag. I hate sleeping in a wet sleeping bag, been there, done it, got the ticket and I didn't like it at all. The lower berg isn't too problematic, but sleeping wet and miserable on the escarpment could lead to problems, which I try to mitigate.

Whichever way you decide to go, enjoy the Berg!!!