Snow Watch 2011

News of the recent snowfall has sparked a lot of interest, and people are wanting to head out there this weekend and are wondering where the best place is to go see it. Here are my thoughts regarding this:

* The snow only barely came down to contour path level, so you'll have to get onto the escarpment to really experience it.
* The snow is likely to recede quickly off the High Berg slopes and cliffs. This means that current views of the snow such as on the Cathedral Peak webcam may not look as good by Saturday. Currently the cold temperatures are preserving it somewhat though.
* The quickest way to get into the snow would be to get up the Chain Ladders at Sentinel, or drive up Sani Pass. From Sani, the Black Mountain should be nice and thick with snow.
* Lesotho has a lot snow, but many of the roads may be closed. You could try get up as far as possible on the tarred roads which might also have higher priority to get cleared. Try Moteng Pass (Oxbow), which is currently closed, or Mafika Lisiu Pass to Bokong, or the Bushman/God-Help-Me/Blue Mountain trilogy of passes on the way to Mohale Dam.
* Satellite images have not been clear enough yet to see the extent of the snow in the Eastern Cape region of the Berg, though this section usually gets heavy snowfall, particularly the Tiffendel area.

Hope this helps.

Yesterday morning's sat image has been the best so far:



Heavy snow in Lesotho, especially the northern parts. Not that much snow in the Eastern Cape Drakensberg this time.

I see Afriski reports that Moteng Pass is open, and that they are clearing the snowdrifts near the resort. It sounds like this is the best place to see the most snow this weekend! Envious of all heading to the Berg!

It's been a while since I've seen a crisp, white snow cover like this:



While obviously some of the thinner snow cover has melted elsewhere, this is definitely a snowfall for the northern regions. And it is great to see snow left on the Cathedral Range even.