“THE DRAKENSBERG WILDERNESS - WHERE THUNDER ROARS AND WINDS SHRIEK THROUGH LONELY CRAGS LIKE DRAGONS IN TORMENT.”
UNKNOWN
Drakensberg
Hlathimba Pass and Redi Peak
This is one of the easiest and nicest routes to the summit and gives the chance to ascend one of the Berg’s ‘kulus’. A one-way-only description is given, because you can make a round-trip by taking either Buttress Pass or the less favored but more direct kaMashilenga Pass down to Lotheni. The return trip can be made in three days, but rather allocate four if you’re not familiar with the Berg, or have not hiked to the summit before.
From the hutted camp at Lotheni bear left to take the first path to follow the left-hand side of the Ngodwini Stream, around the Mapalini Valley with its waterfall. At this point the path leaves the Ngodwini Valley and heads steeply up the spur between the two streams for 1.5 km to reach the top of the First Little Berg ‘step’. You pass a high point to your left and continue gently up for 1.5 km when you have to ascend the second ‘step’ to reach the Contour Path at a tarn, about 9 km from camp.
It would certainly make a nice camp site and it will do if you’re taking two days to the summit, but it’s still way too early to think about that if you’re headed for the pass. Turn left here and traverse for 2 km around the base of Redi Peak to where The Buttress Pass, also known as The Passage, ascends this buttress – and don’t forget the location as this is the recommended descent, from out along the jutting-out buttress south of Redi Peak and not directly down the front of the peak to the tarn, as that requires a rope down one 10-m section.
As you continue along the contour for 500 m a path comes up kaZwelele Ridge. Pass this and another 500 m on you cross the eMbaxeni Stream which is followed by a short ascent. Then it continues contouring around to the right for a further 2.5 km to reach the Hlathimba River, which you should cross.
At this point you might realize there are two passes here: one directly up in front of you, in other words up the left-most tributary, and another up the cutback on the right. In fact this cutback route also splits about 250 m further up, but you should attempt these routes only if you know the area well as they are steeper and you could end up under a waterfall if you take the wrong gully.
Stick to the direct left-most tributary and from this point it’s an easy grassy climb up the left-hand side of the stream as it is only 1.5 km and about 500 m in altitude: piffling for the Drakensberg. However, once at the top of the pass, if you’re not planning to stop over in Hlathimba Cave, situated just short of the top of the pass and up to your left, you’re still 3.5 km and 500 m short of Redi.
When heading for the summit of Redi do not try to follow the edge of the Escarpment, unless you really want to appreciate the stupendous views along the edge, but take the most direct route following the lie of the land up the high ground in a north-westerly direction. Remember, if returning via The Buttress route, when you have dropped down the first 300 m, do not take the more logical seeming contour to the left, but keep right to walk out onto The Buttress to reach the descent route. Alternatively from the top of Redi head west (the angle of the Escarpment here) for 2.5 km to the head of the kaMashilenga Pass.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking the Escarpment runs in a north-south direction, which could throw your sense of direction. Hlathimba was well known to white colonists, easy as it is, and featured in early incidents.
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: ©Willem Pelser
Compiled by: Willem Pelser
