Mini Hike Reports

After our short time of exploration on the top, we had to leave for our RV with NHB and Geoff, and make our way to the top of Bushman's Nek Pass. The approach to the pass, and the pass itself is very eroded, with numerous paths, and quite a bit of litter. Approaching the top of the pass, we had about 15-20 minutes of fairly heavy rain, the only serious rain of the outing. Fortunate, considering the forecast..

Numerous paths approaching the top of the pass.


On the way down.



27.4 k's, a worthwhile day out, and very fortunate with the weather.. thanks guys.

On the 12th Jan MarkT and I headed to Garden Castle.

We arrived at about 6pm on Thursday afternoon and made our way the Sleeping Beauty Valley to Engagement cave. The weather turned wet, so we had the tent up in the cave.

The following morning we set off for Tsepeng pass. We ascended the pass via the grassy banks on the south slopes not sure really where we were heading, eventually reaching a narrow gulley which got us on top. The last time I did Tsepeng it was up the main gulley and through the wormhole in the chockstone.

We spent the night in the main mzimude cave, again in tents...mostly due to quite a few drips in the cave. Great plans to photograph the sunrise were thwarted by both of us snoring heavily into the late hours(by hiking standards) of the morning.

The following morning we had a quick walk up Walkers peak before heading down Mzimude pass to find the misplaced Curtain cave. We spent the night in wave cave. What a great little valley this is! Baie mooi! Lovely stream, scenic sandstone features, waterfalls and pools for washing the muck off.

The following morning was the longish walk out through hidden valley with me grumbling the whole time about how we should just go over the saddle.

Here are a few pics.

GriffBaker wrote: The following morning was the longish walk out through hidden valley with me grumbling the whole time about how we should just go over the saddle.

That is a rather long walkout - last time I did it, we walked the entire valley in the dark, reaching Swiman Hut around 7:30PM (it was May, so the sun was down early). Felt like it was never going to end!

I don't rate the saddle route is any faster. That hill is bigger than it looks!

Hmmm- well I would disagree. We have done that saddle before to cut out that loooooong drag back to Garden Castle along the Giants Cup trail and its not as bad as it looks - but of course its always subjective, isn't it!

It would differ from team-to-team. I can walk from Puffadder Rock to Swiman Hut in roughly 1h15 - without any running or excessively fast walking (at a push I could probably, without running, do that section under an hour - if I was fresh at the start). I found the hill to be quite long and even heading down the Mashai River side is relatively slow. So, for me, the long way round is faster. For a team that is faster on hills, it probably isn't.

Context: for those who haven't hiked with me, I am very slow on uphills or loose ground. But I can do long flat trails at good pace - without running. E.g. I did the last 10km of my most recent GT in 1h35 (including some running), but took something like 4 hours to get up Leslies Pass a few months before that (timer starting from when where the trail leaves the river, just above the camping spots). Pack weights on both are roughly the same. So, for me, the saddle is slower.

On Saturday, I took Dad up the Sentinel. Something to do with him turning 70

We met up on Friday night at the Sentinel Car Park. It was raining, and the guys manning the hut were using it to full advantage to collect water dripping from the roof. Not the start we wanted, but at this time of the year we knew we could not be fussy.

Saturday morning started well. Sun and clear skies all round.

The path is getting an upgrade!



We made good progress up to the start of the climb. I took 2 starts to get off the ground. I knew that I was not allowed to fall. Not because I do not trust my Dad's belaying but rather I knew this was a big thing for him and that if I made it look hard he might want to bail. So, to give him no option but to get up, I climbed really steadily up rather wet rock. I planned ahead, and left a few long slings in key spots to help him out. Dad did it the clever way and pulled on anything in sight and rocketed up the pitch.



By now mist had come in, so we had an adventurous way up the bushy slopes. It seemed wrong that I was in front, but I do at least know the way, so I did my best to go slowly and pick the best line.



Mist of course gives cool views. Tempting to put this in the berg photo quiz, but I will play fair.



We roped up for the top scramble as well. It is rather exposed after all. We reached the top easily enough. Dad took a few summit shots, but we set off again before I had clicked and gotten any photos myself.. This is Dad's first climbing peak, well done Dad!

Nicely done!

Hope I'm still climbing peaks at 70.

A very short Cobham hike report-
This last weekend, Richard Hunt, Single Speed and Papa D did a Cobham loop. RH was keen to take photos for a project, and SS and I wanted to assess pines in the area.
We went up the Pholela Valley, then into Nhlabeni Valley, and camped near the tarns above Lakes Cave.
Return trip was down via Policeman, Titty and Sphongweni.
I trust RH had a productive photography session. We only saw 2 pines, one on the true right of Nhlabeni valley near Nutcracker Cave, which was felled by SS, and one far down, about 800m south of Weaver Cave, which has been noted for further action.

Here are some pics:
RH getting close up..


Pholela flowing nicely.




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A carnivorous plant, saw many in that spot.