Cathedral Peak - Monk's Cowl link-up via escarpment

Only took one star trail photo the whole trip, and luckily it came out nicely. Will upload more later this week or the next.

www.facebook.com/104204339617967/photos/a.404398309598567.89025.104204339617967/1090199384351786/?type=3&theater

I'm not certain if this belongs to this thread, so apologies if it does not.

At the base of Ships Prow Pass, where you finish the main descent, walk about 50m of river and head into the bush on river left (when facing downstream) we found a foal that had been aborted, followed by a very emaciated mare. It was truly horrible to see. She would not move out of path and had a piece of leather stuck in her bottom lip. I had to walk around through some thick bush to coax her away gently by touching her. 200 or 300 m later we found another horse, but in better condition. Further on also on the river left we found a fresh camp presumably of a Basotho, and perhaps a kilometre later we found an older technical jacket "abandoned" next to a recently used fire. The jacket was well worn, but the type we would use. The next morning we heard dogs barking nearby before crack of dawn but saw nothing when we investigated. It seems this area is being used by smugglers of sorts. Perhaps this is the norm and nothing new to anyone here? But I just thought I would share this. I also found what could have been many cairns that have been knocked over. Sure, there are a billion rocks in that river bed, but to me it seemed I would see three or four rocks in a line that didn't appear like they've been there long. Maybe it's me. But keep a lookout in that area

The network of trails between Organ Pipes and Greys is probably the most significant network anywhere in the Berg (well, I mean within 5km of the SA border). It is possible to hike the entire way from Didima Camp to Monks Camp over the escarpment without leaving a trail - I can't think of anywhere else in the Berg where one could do that. Maybe Giants to Injisuthi via Judge Pass and Around the Corner, but that would be a very short distance on top. I can entirely believe that they would start using Ships Prow Pass - which would explain the good trail coming down it. As to smuggling vs shopping/trading - you can never really be sure if it is one or the other (or both, more often), so generally best not to jump to conclusions. There may also be some hikers who give old gear to locals (similar to how many VE members donate their old gear to the Mnweni Guides).

But it is good to be vigilant, especially in the more busy areas like this one.

AdrianT wrote: I also found what could have been many cairns that have been knocked over. Sure, there are a billion rocks in that river bed, but to me it seemed I would see three or four rocks in a line that didn't appear like they've been there long. Maybe it's me. But keep a lookout in that area

There is a campaign by some people to get rid of cairns in the Berg - something about it looking ugly or being unnatural ([sarcasm] because piles of rock apparently don't appear in nature [/sarcasm] ). I know the cairns between Pillar Cave and Annex at Garden Castle have been destroyed many times - every time I do the pass, I allocate 20 mins to fixing them again

@Viking. Nope. Will be mailing the correct people now though. I find that talking to people lower down the ranks (reception) doesn't yield much result. Finished at Injusuthi. Which was a mistake. The path to Injisuthi is not near as good as the one leading to Monk's Cowl, which I had done the month before. I thought the mare may be close to death but my wife says she's seen horses in far worse condition - she's an equine vet. But still, it really irked me, as I really hate to see animals in distress!

Cairns certainly helped ease the way several times, just not really below Ships Prow!

Thanks, someone has already given me a contact and have spoken to Stephen Richert about it so it's into the network

No one missing some boots along the pass? haha

@AdrianT, don't worry I made the same mistake descending Grays around 5 years ago. It was also late in the day and we assumed the descent would be fairly straightforward, but missed the crucial traverse path to the right. It gets very dangerous down that gully as you go further down. It is very easy to miss the path and very important to know about this for anyone descending Grays for the first time!