Monk's Cowl - Injisuthi link-up via escarpment

Welcome to VE

I would suggest you read the Berg Alert thread regarding recent events around Gray's Pass. Especially in light of being from another country, and the presence of Lesotho military in the area.

Ships Prow is an interesting route option - it is a great pass, but the bottom of it is not so nice. Lots of boulder hopping and slogging through overgrowth. The contour path at the bottom is also easy to miss, and was practically impassable when I was last there.

The route you describe is also quite difficult - how fit and experienced is your team?

ralphcopeiv wrote: I'm currently lodging in the Champagne Valley so drive time is minimal.

There are more in this area than basically anywhere else in the entire Drakensberg. Monks Cowl has quite a nice campsite, and there are proper hotels (Drakensberg Sun, Champagne Sports etc) in the area as well - I suspect you can find practically anything inbetween with a bit of online research. I have stayed at the Monks Cowl camp a few times, and can vouch for their food being pretty good as well (although the menu is limited, they run out of food when they get busy, and they have very short operating hours).

Thanks for the warm welcome!

ghaznavid wrote: Welcome to VE

I would suggest you read the Berg Alert thread regarding recent events around Gray's Pass. Especially in light of being from another country, and the presence of Lesotho military in the area.

Ships Prow is an interesting route option - it is a great pass, but the bottom of it is not so nice. Lots of boulder hopping and slogging through overgrowth. The contour path at the bottom is also easy to miss, and was practically impassable when I was last there.

The route you describe is also quite difficult - how fit and experienced is your team?

I called the Monks Cowl office and they that they've never heard of any altercations between the Besthoto military and the smugglers, and that the pass is quite safe weather permitting. Is this a reliable endorsement? Also, the group is young, fit males so we're confident in our stamina. Would it be more manageable to reverse the trip though and descend via the Corner Pass?

Stijn wrote: Looks like a great 4-day loop. The main challenge will be your day 2 from Injisuthi Camp to the top of Corner Pass. Quite doable in a day for a fit party - otherwise make sure you start early to give plenty of time, especially with the typical afternoon storms this time of year. Look up the Northern High Approach (NHA) to Corner Pass on these forums. That will make your route a little more direct..

The other days are pretty normal hiking days as far as Berg hiking goes.

Would it be more manageable to reverse the trip though and descend via the Corner Pass?

I can't talk for others, but I have personally bumped into Lesotho military on the Lesotho side of the border before the climb towards Champagne Castle Peak, near Grays Pass. They didn't threaten us or anything, but just be aware that they are there, and they might expect you to have a visa to enter Lesotho.

I wouldn't recommend going down Corner Pass - although it can be done. If you reverse the route, Around the Corner Pass is easier to descend that Corner Pass (the name isn't on the map, I put my GPS track for it under downloads, although the track doesn't use the Northern High Approach). There is also Judge Pass, but that requires a longer walkin.

Your Corner/Leslies loop idea is a very good loop. Corner Pass is a unique route in the Berg, but does require a bit of scrambling. If anyone in your group is concerned by heights, Judge Pass would be a better option. All 3 passes are scenic and worthwhile - so take your pick!

See if you can arrange to visit Battle Cave on the way to Centenary Hut. Injisuthi needs to send a guide with you to open up, but it is a unique rock art site, with some really good paintings.

Thanks for the advice guys! I think Grays Pass will be doable, albeit with extra caution. I really enjoy this website.

Smurfatefrog wrote:

ralphcopeiv wrote:

ghaznavid wrote: Welcome to VE

I would suggest you read the Berg Alert thread regarding recent events around Gray's Pass. Especially in light of being from another country, and the presence of Lesotho military in the area.

Ships Prow is an interesting route option - it is a great pass, but the bottom of it is not so nice. Lots of boulder hopping and slogging through overgrowth. The contour path at the bottom is also easy to miss, and was practically impassable when I was last there.

The route you describe is also quite difficult - how fit and experienced is your team?

I called the Monks Cowl office and they that they've never heard of any altercations between the Besthoto military and the smugglers, and that the pass is quite safe weather permitting. Is this a reliable endorsement? Also, the group is young, fit males so we're confident in our stamina. Would it be more manageable to reverse the trip though and descend via the Corner Pass?

The office generally doesn't know much. The Monks Cowl conservation manager has confirmed the story in general. The pass has been quiet since the incident, so its up to you

Another note, how straight forward is the scramble from Grays Pass to the Champagne Castle? I've read you just need to follow the iNkosanaza River for a few kms.

Correct. Once you top out at the head of Grays pass you turn left and just walk up straight for about 3km's.

There isn't any scrambling on this section of the escarpment - all cliffs on your route are avoidable (although it depends on how one defines scrambling and how well navigation goes). Corner Pass has two scrambles and Grays Pass has one. The Northern High Approach to Corner Pass has a large scramble, from what I have read (I will hopefully do it in about a months time, but haven't done it yet).

With Grays Pass, be aware that about 50m vertically down the pass, you leave the horrible loose scree gully and take a trail to the right (true right/south). A short distance after this there is a short and easy scramble with a big foothold in the middle.

Are you using caves or tents? Nkosasana Cave is great, but usually wet enough that it only really sleeps 2 or 3 people.

In case you haven't found them yet, details of the NHA and Grays Pass:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/11-drakensberg-passes/55489-corner-pass-northern-high-approach.html
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/drakensberg-trips/55346-the-gray-matter.html
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/drakensberg-trips/55334-gray%E2%80%99s-pass-the-smoking-dragon.html?limitstart=0

I am reasonably sure TonyM has done a detailed writeup on Grays, but I can't seem to find it - hence links to writeups on using Grays Pass.