The Mountain Guide

Stable Cave and Back

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TRIP DESCRIPTION

This 2-3 day trip doesn't go onto the Drakensberg escarpment. Instead it heads up to 2000m into the 'Little Berg' and follows the contour path - no severe off-trail days on this trip . It's a great walk for people who are not keen on the extremely strenuous nature of a Drakensberg pass or perhaps are not equipped for cold conditions.

We start off at Monk's Cowl forest station and climb up the steep path past the Sphinx to Blind Man's Corner at the base of Cathkin Peak before turning north. We then head for Hlatikulu Neck and either overnight at the Mhlwazini River before pushing on to Stable Cave or just head there directly, depending on how energetic the group felt when they planned their trip. From Stable cave we descend Jacob's Ladder and head back across the Paardeplaat flats to Monk's Cowl, stopping at Sterkspruit falls if the group feels up to it.

Heading back to Monk's Cowl

Daily distances vary from 12 to 19 km with a maximum altitude gain for a single day of 600m and a maximum descent for a single day of 600m. Overnight spots are either wildeness camp-sites or Stable Cave itself.

The best time of year to undertake this trip is late in the Southern Hemisphere summer (March and April), but it can be done at any time of the year. Mid-summer gets rather hot and humid with afternoon temperatures reaching 30°C before the thunderstorms arrive.

Area
KZN Drakensberg

Duration
3 Days, 2 nights

Mean altitude
2000m

Difficulty
Easy/Moderate

Technical aspects

None

Challenges

Summer heat

Accommodation
Tents & Cave

Style
Fully self sufficient

Recommended Kit
Mountain hiking

Cost per person
People in group:
1  : R 6,000
2  : R 3,500
3  : R 2,800
4+ : R 2,000

Note: Cost excludes transport or accommodation either side of the hike. If you wish we will make these arrangements for you.

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