Easy, accessible trad in the Drakensberg?
Easy, accessible trad in the Drakensberg?
I'm heading off the Berg for a week on Saturday, and I was hoping to use my newly acquired rack up there. I had a look at the MCSA KZN section for routes but there seem to be mostly epics with huge commitment requirements... Can anyone tell me about some easy( < 18/19) not-too-epic trad routes in the region of Monk's Cowl and Cathkin Estate? Something similar to going up Table Mountain, doing Jacobs and hiking down in less than half a day.
Re: Easy, accessible trad in the Drakensberg?
Hey Mat,
Berg climbing = epic adventure climbing.
No real way around it.
I've done both sentinal (standard, Angus Leppan and Paradigm) and the Bell - and these are probably the most enjoyable introductions to the berg.
Angus Leppan can be done in a day from Witsieshoek, while the bell is a weekend trip.
Have fun!
Ant
Berg climbing = epic adventure climbing.
No real way around it.
I've done both sentinal (standard, Angus Leppan and Paradigm) and the Bell - and these are probably the most enjoyable introductions to the berg.
Angus Leppan can be done in a day from Witsieshoek, while the bell is a weekend trip.
Have fun!
Ant
Re: Easy, accessible trad in the Drakensberg?
I can vouch for Angus-Leppan. Have climbed it twice and will repeat it as long as I can still climb - simply spectacular. Table Mountain's exposure is not a patch against that on the Sentinel's north face! The Sentinel is the most accessible and I'd also advise budgeting a whole day for that. If things go really well your car-to-car time for Angus-Leppan can be as low as six hours, but then you really need to push things. Keep the escarpment weather patterns in mind!
"I have no more friends, and my nuts are too small!"
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Re: Easy, accessible trad in the Drakensberg?
p.s. there is no restaurant at the top 

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justin@climbing.co.za
justin@climbing.co.za
Re: Easy, accessible trad in the Drakensberg?
Thanks for your replies guys, I'll take my gear and see what I can get up. If there is anyone in the Berg area who wants a second and a third sometime next week, drop me a PM
Can't wait for the BERG!!!

Can't wait for the BERG!!!
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Re: Easy, accessible trad in the Drakensberg?
Matt never did like the walk in, 
