Current Drakensberg Weather

[ChilliNZ]

Hi guys,

We're two Kiwis and looking to do a three night hike or a few day hikes through the Drakensberg starting this Friday (Nov 4 or whatever it is.. the Friday) but Google says the weather is basically crap constantly.
Is Google wrong? Is it just crap in the afternoon but nice in the mornings?
Have been wanting to hit the Draks for a while now but not much point if I'll just get rained on!

Any advice on what to do or where to go to escape rain?
We were thinking Giant's or Champagne.

Cheers
Adam

[mokganjetsi]

you guys seem to be out of luck - looks like a lot of precipitation from Friday for the next week or so. I checked both north (amphitheatre) and south (bushman's neck) but the much needed rain is falling everywhere.

hop on a train / plane /bus and come hike in the cederberg - weather is perfect and the landscape spectacular (albeit less dramatic than the drakensberg)

http://www.yr.no/place/South_Africa/Kwa ... /long.html
http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc ... sty=m_spot

[mokganjetsi]

ps: i would advise against hiking in this type of weather unless you know the area / route well - especially on the escarpment where visibility can become very poor. an alternative is to get a local guide and just take the rain on the chin. if there's brief breaks in the weather the scenery will be spectacular.

[ChilliNZ]

Hi mate,

Already went to the Cederberg and yes it was wonderful.
Maybe we'll hit Coffee Bay first and then see if the weather looks better - if not, are there any other nice hiking spots on the way down to CT?
We've been away for two months so far with perfect weather and as soon as we get to Kosi Bay, it's bad
Gutted!

Cheers
Adam

[mokganjetsi]

drakensberg is the wildest & most spectacular hiking in SA. pity the weather turned

some options coming down the coast towards cape town:
amatola trail - 6-days but you can do shorter segments. near hogsback (very cool area to explore!). http://www.amatolatrails.co.za/
the famous otter trail - but unlikely you will find a spot; it is normally fully booked months in advance
tsitsikamma hiking trail. http://www.footprint.co.za/Tsitsikamma.htm
(and you can check out just about any other hiking trail on footprint.co.za)

my recommendation: amatola

[gwrightjhb]

+ 1 for the Amatola trail and Hogsback.

[dirktalma]

If you're into climbing, Towerkop is a must at this time of year. Just be sure to look after the place as if it is your own!

You can spend a couple of days staying in the cave. Download the topo here: http://www.climbing.co.za/wiki/Towerkop