Drakensberg South Africa - Day 2
Bannerman's Hut to Langalibalele Pass
Distance 10km Climb 1600m
Tuesday 8th May 2012
It was bright
and sunny when we left Bannerman's Hut. We
had now split down into our two separate walking groups.
The expedition leader when planning the expedition had planned to have
two separate teams. One would do
daily walks moving around the area staying at different locations. T
he second group would do daily walks from a
base set up at Bannerman's Hut.
I was in the first group, which was the group moving around the area. After a
breakfast of porridge we packed our kit and under Tim's instruction we studied the map and
discussed possible routes before setting off.
We discussed time and distance with map appreciation so had an idea on the distances we
could cover in the hours of day light.
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| Leaving Bannerman Hut |
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| Bannerman Hut |
As we left the hut we could see the first part of the route we had planned to take, right up the very steep sided valley to the West, our right. The other group had already set off, they had planned to walk the same way up the valley, have a walk around the top then return to Bannerman's Hut.
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| Lyle looking cool with Tim looking on |
Moving up the steep slope we had to have a few stops, which gave us the opportunity to take photos and enjoy the fantastic view. It did not take us long to catch up with the other group and move past them.
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| Woody, Steely Lyle and Tim, we've got to go up where? - there! |
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| Steely and Lyle looking back |
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| Fatha enjoying the view |
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| Lyle with Tim pointing out features |
Nearing the top the route became even steeper and we ended up scrambling over and round boulders. It was not made any easier as we had all our kit. Never mind, we eventually reached the top and the views made all of the effort worth while.
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| Lyle and Steely, we'll soon be there |
At the top we had a quick snack and a drink. Tim discussed the possible routes we could take, then when the decision was made we set off again. Moving around on the top we got our first glimpse of the local wildlife.
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| First glimpse of the local wildlife they turned out to be horses |
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| Where too now then? |
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| I think its this way? |
As we moved across the country we could hear the tinkling of little bells. It turned out that the bells were tied round the necks of goats that were being herded by the local goat herders. They sat on a rock to watch us, we must have looked strange, and as we passed them we noticed the cracked wellies and old army blankets, but they were smiling.
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| Local goat herders - Notice the massive Irish wolf hound |
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| Looking back at the gap for the Bannerman Pass |
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| Steely and Lyle looking at some ice |
Moving across the open country near the tops we could see the rain clouds coming in. Steely and Itchy followed by Fatha, Woody and Tim had already started moving to a little shelter that was shown on the map as Bannerman's Cave. Before we knew it, it was lashing down and the weather had turned a little cooler, the thunder and lightening seamed to pass almost directly overhead. Very impressive. Putting on our waterproof jackets we waited and snacked until it had passed. I have re-read a magazine I borrowed from a work colleague since my return and it mentions the spectacular thunder and lightening.
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| Fatha, Steely, Lyle and Itchy sheltering from the rain |
Once the rain had passed we headed off again. Tim was encouraging everyone to take turns with the map reading and the lads lead us over the high ground, down a valley and we turned East towards the top of Langalibalele Pass.
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| Tim talking to Lyle and long shadows at the top of Langalibalele Pass |
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| Steely, Tim and Lyle Sitting at Langalibalele Pass. The others coming back |
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| Looking down Langalibalele Pass |
When we arrived at Langalibalele Pass, Tim had the lads check the map and we discussed features on the ground, we talked about map appreciation and the time we had left before it would turn dark. Would we have time to move down the pass? After a little time it was decided that we would move back from the pass and move West to a stream approx 150m behind where we were sitting and set up our tents, get some food on. It was a perfect spot with plenty of water nearby, fairly sheltered. After our meal there was time for Woody, Steely, Itchy and Lyle to go and check out a cross that was shown on the map, just up the right hand side of the pass. (I had borrowed a magazine from my friend, Ron. It was only after the walk I saw that it carried an article on the area. This says the cross was erected to men who lost their lives in an incident in 1873 between a group of mounted Natal Carbineers with Basuto soldiers confronting a force of a few hundred armed and angry Zulu warriors. Langalibalele was the name of the Zulu chief. I wished I had known as much about the area when I was on the walk.)
We had walked from Bannerman Hut at 1700m travelling West from the hut up the very steep climb to Bannerman Pass at 3301m. We then
followed the high ridge line to the top of Langalibalele Pass at 2921m. Approx 1600m of climb with approx 10km distance walked.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in South Africa or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
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