Cathedral Peak - Injisuthi link-up via escarpment

This is good advice!

Viking wrote: Always turn round before it gets ugly.
We don't like ugly.

+1

BigArnie wrote: Okay, so plans have had to change due to circumstances. My hiking partner got bogged down at work and I didn't feel that doing this on my own would be prudent, especially for this time of year. It's very disappointing but unfortunately it is what it is...

Story of my life.. (I'm that partner)

Hahaha! Work has the habit of getting in the way of more important things like hiking.

Anyways, one more question: I would assume that there's a mountain register at Injisuthi. Now suppose we get there after office hours on Friday and leave at 5am on Saturday, then how does one sign the register and pay the hiking fees?

Ah, I see. So reaching the escarpment from Giant's Castle is shorter and/or easier than from Injisuthi? Maybe we should do that instead. I'd love to see Marble Baths, though. I've never been there.

Giants Castle only misses having the easiest way to the top because of the Chain Ladders and Bushman's Nek. The latter having High Berg passes that are only High Berg passes because they top out 20m into the basalt layer of the mountains.

Giants has Langalibalele Pass - the walkin is a bit difficult, but the pass is as easy as a pass could possibly be. It also has a great trail the entire way. Bannerman and Giants are the other commonly used passes, but there are plenty of easy trail-less passes in the area. Aside from Bond Pass, Judge Pass and Gypaetus Pass, none of the passes pose much of a challenge in terms of difficulty.

Options, options....

Hi Folks,

Myself, two friends and a local guide are planning a hike without porters from Injisuthi to Cathedral Peak over 8 days (7 nights) starting at the end of November. Attached is a Google Earth file which details our route (and marks some landmarks on route). We are photographers so we will have 25kg backpacks at the start.




Day 1: Arrive Joburg (or Durban) 9am, drive to Injisuthi and start hike up to Centenery Hut and camp.
Day 2: To Upper Injisuthi Cave
Day 3: To somewhere near Old Woman Grinding Corn
Day 4: To Didima Cave
Day 5: To Rolands Cave
Day 6: To Pyramid and Column (v short day)
Day 7: To Elephant and Cockade (v short day)
Day 8: Full Bell traverse

Does this sound feasible? Previously we've hiked Amphi to Organ Pipes. Then a year later we did Amphi down Mweni Pass, up Fangs and back to Amphi, so we have a bit of experience. This trip covers considerably more miles so we are going to train a bit.

1. Is the descent of the Bell Traverse doable in a day and how long should we allow?
2. Is Corner Pass OK with big packs? (I hear conflicting opinions)
3. Is it sensible to start at Injisuthi at say 4pm and try to make it to Centenerary Hut?
4. Any recommendations for a company to transfer us from Cathedral Peak to Injisuthi on the final sunday before driving back to joburg?

Thanks,

Alex

1. Is the descent of the Bell Traverse doable in a day and how long should we allow?

A full day. It's 7 or 8 hours if you have no route finding issues.
2. Is Corner Pass OK with big packs? (I hear conflicting opinions)

You'll need to pass the bags up.
It helps if you've done some basic scrambling before.
The exit at the top requires a chimney move

3. Is it sensible to start at Injisuthi at say 4pm and try to make it to Centenerary Hut?

You'll finish in the dark around 8 or 9pm


Look forward to the photos!