Hello Izak
The 3 main passes to get to the escarpment on the Corner Pass side are:
- Corner Pass – The gully has 2 scrambles, the first of which could pose a problem to some. It’s fairly simple when it’s dry and it does not have extensive exposure. You could either do the pass from where it meets the contour path, or use the Northen High Approuch (NHA). The NHA starts just above Centenary Hut and joins Corner Pass just below the start of the gully. It is a great alternative approach that saves time. Note that there is also a scramble on this route and water can be scarce. It’s a epic pass though and I would definitely recommend it.
First Scramble in Corner Pass
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Judges pass – (approx 2km south of corner pass) is a easy alternative if someone is not feeling up to the “scrambles” on Corner Pass, it’s as easy as berg passes get (accept for Langalibalele). Also tops out in the same area as Corner , so no mayor distance to Mafadi added.
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Around The Corner Pass – The path to “around the corner” leads out of Corner pass (to the south) at the start of the gully. It is also a easier alternative to Corner, with a couple of smaller scrambles.
Towards Leslie’s side (north of Mafadi) the only viable option is Leslie’s itself. There are other passes such as Injasuthi Pass, but I would highly advise not to even think about decending this pass.
Sleeping Spots(4-Day):
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Night 1 – Use the area around Centenary hut as camp. The hut itself is very run down and dirty lately but there is alot of flat spots to pitch tents for the entire group. There is also a faint path leading of to the left from the hut (while looking towards the escarpment) , follow this path to find a small stream to fill up water.
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Night 2 – Use Njesuthi Summit Cave. It has a epic view of the Triplets and could comfortably sleep 8 people and is sheltered from weather. It’s a bit dusty though so take ground sheets to keep the dust at bay. There is a reliable river running down towards the escarpment in the valley below the cave to fill up. Follow this river to the escarpment edge and you will find possibly the best escarpment pool in the entire berg, overlooking the triplets.
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Night 3 – Use the bushcamp at the base of Leslie’s Pass to pitch tents. The path will lead through a campsite large enough for 3 tents. While looking down the valley, towards your right, almost inline with this campsite is a larger campsite that will fit 4 tents. I would suggest the later is it’s not directly on the path.
You can find some more information on the Corner-Mafadi-Leslies loop on Vertical Endeavour here: Corner-Mafadi-Leslies