6 day trek from Cathedral Peak to Champagne Castle, Central Drakensberg, South Africa

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Avis Chambers
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1 6 day trek from Cathedral Peak to Champagne Castle, Central Drakensberg, South Africa Vultures retreat near Champagne Castle, looking north to Cathedral Peak and the Devil s tooth This 6-day trek crosses the very heart of the Central Drakensberg, linking the Cathedral Peak valley with the Champagne Castle Valley. Organ Pipes pass is used to ascend to the top of the escarpment, and the route takes you along the African Watershed above the Mdedelelo Wilderness area, before dropping down Grays pass into the Champagne Castle Valley (Monk s Cowl). The trek is fully supported with guide, porters and catering. Day 1 A relatively easy start is made from the car park just below the Cathedral Peak Hotel, and you should expect to reach your first night s camp by 1pm. This is on the last flat section situated below Organ Pipes Pass. En route, you ll pass Doreen Falls, where you can take a refreshing dip. Once at camp you can spend the afternoon taking in the wonderful views across the whole Cathedral Peak Range, with Cleft Peak (3277m) soaring above close by and views to Column and Pyramid just beyond. In you feel inclined, you can walk across to the base of the Tseketseke pass in the afternoon. Start height: 1400m; Camp height: 2390m; Approximate distance: 7 kms Day 2 Day 2 sees you making the ascent up Organ Pipes pass, which has some tricky sections, but nothing harder than the chain ladders on the Amphitheatre. Once up the pass, there s an excellent spot to take lunch on a ledge perched on the flank of Ndumeni Dome ( Thunder Dome ), and experience wonderful views out over KwaZulu-Natal. You ll then proceed around the corner and into Lesotho, eventually finding camp near a stream. Camp height: 2780m; Approximate distance: 6 kms

2 Day 3 Day 3 s trek sees you following the stream through Lesotho, passing along a small gorge. After passing some Basotho Kraals, take lunch next to a pool in the gorge. In the afternoon, you climb out of the stream and onto the 3000m ridge that forms the South African Watershed (and the border between South Africa and Lesotho), and this will be followed over the course of the afternoon and the following morning. You ll get extensive views on both sides of the ridge, notably steeply down into South Africa on your left flank. Camp on a short saddle located above Didima cave. Camp height: 3300m; Approximate distance: 9 kms Day 4 Today is a relatively easy hike, with no major climbs. In the morning you continue to follow the ridge all the way to the top of Grays Pass, which you should expect to reach around lunchtime. In the afternoon, walk about two kilometres to an edge named Vultures retreat, where there are excellent views north towards the Devil s Tooth and Cathedral Peak, and south towards Cathkin Peak and Monk s Cowl. As the name suggests, there s a Cape Vulture Colony that can be viewed from this point, about 150m off. You may also be lucky to spot the magnificent Bearded Vulture (otherwise known as the Lammegeier), whose wingspan can reach 3m there s a nest on the cliff located close to the top of Grays Pass. Excellent views are had across to the Dragon s Back and Gatberg. Camp on the plateau in the vicinity of Grays Pass. Camp height: 3100m; Approximate distance: 11 kms Day 5 Before heading down the pass, use the morning to hike across to the top of Champagne Castle (3246m), one of the highest peaks in the Drakensberg. From there you ll get excellent views across to Injisuthi (beyond Monk s Cowl), and beyond to the Giant s Castle Region at the southern extremity of the Central Drakensberg. Having admired the views, make the descent of Grays Pass to camp at either Keith Bush Camp, or a little further down the valley. Camp height: 2350m; Approximate distance: 8kms Day 6 From Keith Bush Camp, descend through the lovely emhlwazini river valley, passing Blind Man s Corner and The Sphinx. Take tea by the stream whilst enjoying final views back at Cathkin Peak, The Turret and Amphlet. The hike ends at Monk s Cowl car Park, where you will be met by vehicle. The total hiking time today is approximately 4-5 hours. End height: 1480m; Approximate distance: 12kms END OF INTERARY Important Note As you will be travelling in a mountain environment, please note that actual travel may alter owing to factors such as prevailing weather conditions and participant acclimatisation. Activities and timings may vary slightly from those outlined, and decisions relating to pace and route will be at the discretion of your guide, who will at all times endeavour to ensure that you meet your objectives safely.

Dates and Prices This tour runs on a fixed date group basis on certain dates during the year, and these are listed

Scheduled departures require a minimum of 4 persons to run, and the maximum per group is limited to 10.

For information on forthcoming group departures, and prices, please see our website (follow.

uk/home/countries/south%20africa/trekking/drakensberg/central%20traverse/dates%20and%20prices/ or contact us on:

3 Dates and Prices This tour runs on a fixed date group basis on certain dates during the year, and these are listed on our website. It can also be run on a fully tailor-made basis at any time, for private groups. Scheduled departures require a minimum of 4 persons to run, and the maximum per group is limited to 10. Please contact us for availability. For information on forthcoming group departures, and prices, please see our website (follow. Countries/South Africa/Trekking/Group Treks/Central Berg 6 days: or contact us on: +44 (0) info@traverseline.co.uk Pictures from the trek and trek environs Cleft Peak from below Cathedral Peak Organ Pipes seen left/middle. Approach made to the left of the picture Sterkhorn, Cathkin Peak & Monk s Cowl Cathkin Peak, Sterkhorn, Turret and Amphlet

On Grays Pass, above Keith Bush camp (Gatberg seen on ridge) Camping below Organ Pipes Pass, with Cleft Peak behind Weather Patterns in the Drakensberg The summer months (Late October to Early March)

However, the summer is the rainy season, and sudden storms are frequently the order of the day.

When hiking low down, in the Little Berg (sandstone level), one can very often seek shelter from storms in caves or rock shelters until the storm threat passes, and then you can resume hiking.

4 On Grays Pass, above Keith Bush camp (Gatberg seen on ridge) Camping below Organ Pipes Pass, with Cleft Peak behind Weather Patterns in the Drakensberg The summer months (Late October to Early March) are generally very warm and pleasant, the mountains are lush and green, and colours can be particularly vibrant, especially after rains. However, the summer is the rainy season, and sudden storms are frequently the order of the day. During the summer, it s recommended that you start out early, and take advantage of the generally good weather before the heat builds up and storms start appearing (anytime from late morning onwards). When hiking low down, in the Little Berg (sandstone level), one can very often seek shelter from storms in caves or rock shelters until the storm threat passes, and then you can resume hiking. Note that sometimes summer storms can be very violent and sustained, and your guide may direct you back to base when the storm threat looks particularly ominous. In winter, the Drakensberg can get very cold, and snow is not uncommon on the high tops - occasionally it covers the low lying areas. However, winter is generally a dry period and excellent for making day hikes. Hikers planning to camp out need to be properly equipped for winter camping. Temperatures in the high mountain (ie. up at 3000m) can drop to around -20 degrees C, and are frequently down around the -5 to -10 degrees C mark at night. During the daytime, temperatures are very fresh early and late in the day, but skies are frequently cloudless and the light good. Hiking low down, shorts could still be worn! The autumn is generally considered the best time for hiking, as it s generally very dry and sufficiently warm on high for traverses with camping to be made in relative comfort. The spring is also good, although generally less stable than the autumn period. As a good rule of thumb, the optimum time for making high level traverses is from about mid-march until mid- June and again in September and October. During these periods, typical maximum temperatures during the daytime reach between 15 and 20 degrees C, but at night temperatures can fall to around -5 degrees C, and sometimes lower. Snowfalls can sometimes occur as late as September, although this is more the exception rather than the rule At all times of year, there is always the chance that cold fronts can sweep up from the Cape, and these can bring cold, wet weather in the Drakensberg for several days at a stretch.

5 General Weather Patterns: South Africa's coldest weather occurs between June and September. Although Cape Town and the south coast experience periodic cold fronts, the main inland plateau (the highveld) and north western reaches of the country have dry winters - this is the best time of year for game-viewing in the Kruger Park as the lack of water forces wildlife to congregate around water holes, and low vegetation means that its difficult for animals to hide. The opposite is true of Cape Town and the Garden Route, which have wet winters, and which are usually at their best between November and May. Whale-spotting is best from July to November on the south coast of the Western Cape. For general touring, South Africa is a good destination all year round, with local emphasis changing according to the season. However, do bear in mind that during peak season (July, August, December and early January), flights and hotels are at a premium, with many places booking up well in advance.

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