KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
Mountain of the Dragons
South Africa’s mightiest
mountain range with its spear-like peaks – reminiscent of the saw-toothed spine
of a gigantic dragon.
Where Adventure
beckons..........
“Hiking a
wilderness changes you. As you move through the wilderness you change things
and it leaves its marks on you. Most of the time those marks on your body and mind
is beautiful. Often, though, they hurt too….”
unknown
Drakensberg
Lotheni to Sani Pass
The Contour Path is not continuous across the
Mkhomazi area, at times descending to below the Little Berg and at one point
climbing to the top of the main Escarpment and traversing it for about 3 km.
However for hikers looking for a real challenge, this is it.
Day 1 – 12 km: From the Lotheni hutted site at 1500
m head up the left bank of the Ngodwini River, below Eagle Rock on your right
and past the waterfall in a side stream on the left 4 km from camp. A little
over 4 km, where you ascend two steepish ridges, brings you to the contour path
at 2350 m, near a tarn.
At this point you are standing directly below
massive Redi Peak (3314 m). This pass should not be attempted by hikers. Turn
left here. After 2 km you will come to Buttress Pass or the Passage running up
a spur between two minor stream gullies. Another 1 km brings you to the
eMbaxeni Stream which is the suggested camping spot.
Day 2 – 7 km: This is a shortish day because of having
to climb Hlathimba Pass which you want to do as fun and not torture. From the
camp site continue on the contour for a little over 1 km and then descend to
the Hlathimba River. Here you round the Buttress, a narrow headland which
terminates in the Fingers. You have a straightforward climb up a grassy slope
taking the left stream gully and by doing this you will be following many
historic ascents. It’s one of the Berg’s two or three easiest ascents and takes
you past the small but dry Hlathimba Cave.
Head south along the top of the Drakensberg,
round the back of Duart Castle across an almost level valley where the walking
is easy. Lynx Cave is found 1.5 km south, one buttress past Duart Castle, just
over the lip of the Escarpment. It’s a fairly decent cave and well sheltered in
bad weather, but can be difficult to locate and often is wet in summer. A
better option in this case is the cave near the top of Hlathimba Pass. This
cave will be found 40 m from the summit, and slightly above on the left.
Day
3 – 19 km: After an easy day comes this long
one. From Lynx Cave continue south for just over 1 km to the head of
Mlahlangubo Pass, an easy grassy descent on the south side of the Mlahlangubo
omkhulu Stream. It reaches the contour path after 1.5 km, but from this point
on the path is vague and you will have to keep your senses to stay on it.
You begin by ascending a grassy spur for about
750 m, then angle back towards the Escarpment. For the next 2 km the path dips
in and out of numerous stream gullies, generally descending to the base of
Ngaqamadola Pass up the Mlahlangubo omhoane Stream. Round two spurs 1.5 km
further on and you come to an alternative ascent route, starting up the ridge.
For the next 5 km the path takes you on a
wide, convoluted loop under The Saddle, crossing so many streams you lose
count. These all flow down to the Mkhomazi River whose head is on the north
side of the prominent triangular Nhlangeni Peak (3068 m). The last 2 km to the
Mkhomazi River goes steeply down a prominent ridge. You could break here if you
plan to do the last 25 km section in 2 days. Otherwise take courage and head
away from the Escarpment for 4 km, along the spur running out from Nhlangeni
Peak and crossing a stream gully. Do not take the path down to the Mkhomazi
River, as its 15 km journey will take you to the Vergelegen Reserve Office.
Day 4 – 20 km: Contour for 2 km
and you come to a muddy spring on a side stream that issues sulfurous water.
There is a path here down into the Mkhomazi Valley. The path meanders around
kaNtuba Ridge, across two small gullies and then descends to the kaNtuba River.
It crosses the river and heads up a grassy slope on the other side for just
over 1 km. Look out for the turn to the left or you might find yourself
climbing Manguan Pass.
About 1 km after the turnoff you come to what
appears to be a T-junction, where you must turn right and so not descend the
spur, but contour for a short way and then descend to the Ntshintshini River.
Cross the river and for the next 2.5 km loop
along the base of Mqatsheni to reach the crest of Burnera Ridge. One path goes
down the ridge for nearly 20 km, while the Contour Path continues around to the
right into the Mqatsheni Valley. This is a possible camp site for a 5-day trip.
The next 4 km winds in and out of several
stream gullies to cut across the large Phinong cutback, passing under The
Pillars at 1.5 km. This brings you to the crest of the Koko Tabagi Ridge extending down from the jutting out
Phinong Peak.
Once you round this ridge you will be looking
into the Mkhomazana Valley, at least as impressive as the Mkhomazi and maybe
more so because of the impossible Sani Pass road that winds up it. From the
ridge it is 6 km to the road, winding under the Twelve Apostles. This section
is in shade most of the time. You will descend about 250 m along the course,
and reach the pass 2.5 km above the police post. It is a further 10 km from
there to the Sani Lodge backpacker’s place and you will have to arrange
transport down.
We as hikers, explorers,
and adventurers have the absolute duty to respect and protect our Wildernesses.
Nobody else will do it for us. Take ownership!
The End.
Safe Hiking.
References and Acknowledgements
From the book – “Best Walks of the
Drakensberg” – D Bristow
Photos: ©W Pelser
Compiled
by: Willem Pelser
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