Mini Hike Reports

Toward the end of November, to celebrate Mike/Hobbit finishing matric finals - we went to the Free State Drakensberg to do an epic super-traverse. Chronic apathy soon kicked in, and we ended up only doing 54km in 5 days. We also had to cut the trip short when Mike's employer for 2018 asked him to start work a month early.

We only got as far north as the saddle between Transit 2 and 3 - where I shot this video of the amazing view that morning:


We used the chain ladders on the way in and out, but bagged Namahadi Corner Pass and Lammergeier Pass along the way. I will writeup these passes on their own threads. Lammergeier Pass is phenomenally steep and sustained, definitely one of the harder grass passes.

On 30 December to 1 January, myself and WarrenM attempted an Mnweni Super-Traverse (that term may be copyright to Stijn ).

The plan was "simple". Day 1: up Ifidi to Ifidi Cave, day 2 down Icidi, up Rwanqa, down Manxome and up Outer Mnweni Buttress to Ledgers Cave. Day 3 down Ntonjelana Pass.

Day 1 went according to plan (see writeup on Ifidi Pass).

Day 2 started off fairly well, but Icidi Pass was too draining for me, and we found ourselves at the junction with the Mnweni River around midday (story of Icidi Pass on Icidi Pass thread). By the turnoff for Fangs, I was barely able to walk, so we sat there for a long break and decided to switch it out with Mnweni Pass. I really struggled with this - I hadn't eaten enough, and the hot day had taken its toll as well. Or maybe Icidi Pass is actually a difficult pass

By the time we were on Mnweni Pass, I was needing to stop every 100m vertically, and was feeling nauseous. Eventually Warren took my pack (I did protest, but he insisted - that was 200m vertically below the top of the pass), and by 7PM we were in Ledgers Cave.

Monday went according to plan, I had bounced back (mostly), we started walking at 5AM, traversed to Ntonjelana Pass, descended it, and arrived at the centre in before 1PM.

Our final distance was 63km, and our total time was 51h45. Thanks Warren for putting up with my slow pace for 3 days, overall it was a great hike!

Some photos:

Thanks for posting the write up for this Ghaz

It was my first time in both Ledgers and Ifidi Cave and I will definitely be going back to both, Ghaz I appreciate your efforts to let me choose from all the caves at the top of Ifidi, I think you gave me a selection of 4 to choose from, even when arriving at a hotel they don't offer for you to select your room of preference for the night

If I had to do the look again I would switch out, Icidi for Fangs pass or another pass to descend, otherwise I wouldn't change a thing.

Great Trip Ghaz

A couple Photo's from my side::

The approach to Ifidi


Some way into Ifidi


Looking down Ifidi pass


A storm at about 6pm on Sunday as we were heading for Ledgers


Rockeries early Monday morning

Thanks for the invite! I have been meaning to do Ifidi and Icidi for ages, nice to finally tick them off.

WarrenM wrote:

I'll have to do a writeup on my new bright green pack some time.

Hi Guys...Elinda and I were hunting for photos in the Bushmans Nek area during the New Years weekend and we got what we wanted and more. The thunder storms were amazing and the light incredible.....the Drakensberg at its best!!!!!

Tarn cave area panorama.