Snow Watch 2016

Ruth, are you going to the Mnweni area this weekend? If so, firstly, enjoy, secondly, please report back on the snow in the area. I am planning to go there next week. Thanks. Christine

Still plenty of snow on the south facing ridges of Giants Castle. This was taken from Bannerman Cave yesterday. It was warm up there, and a lot is melting, but it is still over 1m deep in places, and could well be there for another few weeks.


Langies has an easily avoidable snowy bit near the top, if you slid down it, it would end badly. We tried to bail down Bannerman just before midnight, but hit a massive solid ice block across the entire bit, at well over 45 degrees and above rocks - so we had to head back up. I would say that Bannerman Pass needs a few more weeks to thaw before it is suitable for use again (you might be ok trekking poles).

Hi Christinejvr. We had a very eventful hike in Ifidi Pass and just got back early this morning. There is still quite a bit of snow in several of the gullies in the Mnweni area, and unfortunately the final rock gully of Ifidi Pass is completely packed with snow and not passable at the moment. We got to within a few hundred metres of the escarpment before we were forced to turn back I'm not sure about other passes in the area (the final rock gully of Ifidi is in shadow much of the time, so areas that get more sun might be better).

Thanks, Ruth. I know the feeling! I had a similar experience in August with Mnweni pass. I could have almost touched the top, but had to turn around. I will postpone with a week but then I am definitely going, escarp or no escarp, always fun.

Yeah, we still had fun despite not reaching the escarpment and all the difficulties along the way

Yay...here we come Sehlabathebe National Park.... been wanting a photo of the Devils Knuckles with snow

Has anyone been to the Drakensberg this weekend? I saw photos on Snow Report, but that is at lower altitudes. I am curious how it looks on the escarpment?

Smurf shared a photo above Thamathu Pass on facebook - looks like Bushman's Nek got a good dump. Sani Top also reported a lot of snow.

These were taken on the N3 between Van Reenen and Harrismith. Elevation is approx 1600m asl.

Northern Berg must have had a significant snowfall.