Jan-Mar 2014 Rivers in Flood

From Injasuthi heading up towards Marble Baths, the river crossing on the lower path is fairly crazy. There is a steel cable covered with plastic going across, but it's in a very poor location.

Terrible photo but I like the story In January 2004, we set off up Ifidi Pass from Cycad Cave on a beautifully clear morning. We found it tough (and our packs heavy) and eventually made it to the upper gully at about 2pm with an ominous storm brewing. Once we had passed the first scramble, it started raining, so we decided to have lunch under a shallow overhang in the side of the gully. Needless to say, within 10 minutes the bone-dry gully had a river flowing down it. Within 30 minutes there were waterfalls cascading down the side walls (visible at the top of the image) and the gully was a raging torrent. Unable (or unwilling) to attempt the next scramble in those conditions, we clambered up on the ledge we were on as high as possible and sat out the storm for the next 3 hours. There was still a waterfall on the next scramble when we finally made our escape, but it was getting dark and the next storm was rolling in. Surprisingly the rock still had a decent amount of friction so we were able to get to the top of the pass and set-up camp for a well-deserved rest!

www.vertical-endeavour.com/gallery/drakensberg/featured-images/rivers-in-flood-jan-mar-2014/842-ifidi-flash-flood.html

Very dramatic photo Stijn! Having been up Ifidi Pass in much fairer weather, I can appreciate this!!

My entry:


It was a tough call, but due to an event of 20 minutes ago, it had to be this one.

My story:

In October/November last year I had taken a month leave from work (not so easy when you are self employed), that included hiking, climbing and wargaming as well. The reason - preparation for my final board exam to become a chartered accountant.

At the same time Stijn was arranging a hike at Mnweni. So I signed up for the hike, and the full story is at www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/drakensberg-trips/55480-mnweni-the-tale-of-two-hikes.html?start=10


This is the Mnweni Pools - they were so flooded that you could feel the spray while walking over that wooden bridge!

But anyway - the reason its relevant now is that exam results got released 20 minutes ago

Mnweni Baths Ghaz?

MarkT wrote:
From Injasuthi heading up towards Marble Baths, the river crossing on the lower path is fairly crazy. There is a steel cable covered with plastic going across, but it's in a very poor location.

Hi MarkT. Where on earth (or in river) is that cable? I have struggled across this river many a time without seeing it.....

I don't have the GPS location of the cable unfortunately... but from the Injasuthi road you get onto the path before the bridge, and follow it as far as you can go upstream along the river until you literally won't be able to make any more progress. Here is a picture of the cable itself: imgur.com/j7fvxHu

You can see there is another tributary flowing into the main river at that point. Maybe Google Earth will assist in finding the spot.

I don't recommend the cable though unless the water is really low!

@mnt_tiska
It is situated at the main crossing of the river. I first noticed it in March last year. It was not there in June 2012.
It would have made more sense putting it higher up river (where the person is crossing in MarkT's picture).