The UNFIT hiker's guide to Sentinel Peak and Tugela falls chain ladders hike: A literal walk through

Рет қаралды 7,500

Күн бұрын

A walk through of the Sentinel peak hike that takes you to the top of the amphitheater and to the Tugela falls. If you camp at the Tugela falls, recently declared the highest single drop waterfall in the world, the hike is approximately 8km and can take from 3-5 hours depending on the pace you set as well as breaks along the way and traffic up the chain ladders.
Elevation gain is approximately 400m, with a significant portion of this cleared in the first 3km or so going up the zig-zag path
Approximate heights of the two chain ladders 24m and 13m
There is flowing water at the top that is rated as drinkable but I prefer to carry my own.
Temps at the top can drop below zero even in the summer time so pack and prepare (sleeping bags and tents) accordingly.
Guided tours will be added soon to my website:
southafricanwanderer.co.za/

Пікірлер: 50

@bhavaneshparbhoo9533 2 жыл бұрын

Is this the same as the amphitheatre hike ?

@SouthAfricanWanderer 2 жыл бұрын

This is the hike to the top of the amphitheater plateau. However there is a hike that comes up through the tugela valley and then all the way up to the top of the plateau as well. So I’m not sure which is officially named the amphitheater hike.

@doretsnyman7022 Жыл бұрын

Climbing up the chain ladder, shouts out.."I'm tired!"... BRILLIANT... 😄 🤣

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Hahaha I was just letting the people waiting for me know I’d be a while getting up 🙊😂😂

@flammaT3 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the author of the video, we used it as our guide on the hike this April. It get REALLY cold up on top in the evening and night. All the water was frozen, and so was the waterfall. Be prepared and bring a lot of warm clothes.

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback. Yes the weather on the top generally is a bit more extreme than lower altitudes and it’s always good to check what the conditions are going to be before hiking. It can also vary significantly with warm days to cold nights or lots of wind and rain. And the tent is not much protection.

@CollinBaartman Жыл бұрын

Thank brother for your detailed video that made it possible for us MERE MORTALS to also believe we can do it. We have attempted the same hike in 2018 with two of my great friends Leighdo and Kevie but we only made it ALMOST to the Chain Ladders. The time of day did not allow us to complete because we did not plan to overnight on the Plateau. Your video is awesome and inspired me to go and complete that hike.

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

It’s such an awesome hike and if you plan it right you can even get up and down in a day. I’ve done overnights 4 times now and each one has been special in its own right!

@missyrooibostea 2 жыл бұрын

This video was truly awesome 😍 My partner and I loved it, that chain ladder had us on the edge of our seats as well as some of those tight lanes on the trail had me feeling vertigo just watching... Thank You it was wonderful viewing 🙏

@SouthAfricanWanderer 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! For me it is a tough hike because of the fear of heights but I push through I guess. The views from the top are incredible and definitely worth it!

@ashlinr38 Жыл бұрын

Hey man, was there over the weekend. Your video has made you a local celebrity there, thanks for the great tips

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Ah thanks man! The unfit hiker had become a Tugela expert…

@shanalawrence4381 2 жыл бұрын

Good morning Wanderer 🙂 Enjoyed the thunder rumbling in the distance. All the very best for this year and future prospects and endeavours.... 🙏

@SouthAfricanWanderer 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Shana!

@whatsnexttoronto Жыл бұрын

Stunning views!

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Sitting on top of the world!

@karinpretorius7890 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful, informative video, thank you. I'm doing it in April this year. Now I know what to expect.

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

We did it in April as well a couple years back. Temperature dropped below freezing. Make sure your sleeping bag especially is rated for -3 up for comfort…

@karinpretorius7890 Жыл бұрын

@@SouthAfricanWanderer thank you, will do.

@drakensbergtramp5605 Жыл бұрын

Love your intro to your video....

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏🏼

@mitotv6376 Жыл бұрын

Nice hike

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

One of the best! And not too difficult!

@adv.vickynattar3227 2 жыл бұрын

Eish bhai I crapped myself with those chain ladders climbs.!!!

@SouthAfricanWanderer 2 жыл бұрын

Ya scary hey. More coming down than going up.

@laur3nc3-RaW_Sounds 11 ай бұрын

@SouthAfricanWanderer awesome video thanks, is it safe to camp over night, if its only 2 people?

@SouthAfricanWanderer 11 ай бұрын

Hi there. I think it is generally busy enough that you will have other overnight campers with you at the top. It will of course depend on when you go. Summer time is busier and weekends in the summer will mean more hikers.

@supermrcricket Жыл бұрын

If I am traveling with someone who gets verigo on chain ladders . would it be best to take the gulley route. or are the chain ladders not so bad?

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

I think it really depends on the hiker. The very first time we attempted the hike a friend with vertigo managed to get up the ladders. Coming down we thought we’d do the gulley route and the thought of coming down the gulley was almost worse than the ladders so we back tracked and came down the ladders again. Climbing up or down the ladders allows you to just focus in front of you and is shorter. Coming down the gulley let’s you see all the way down…

@supermrcricket Жыл бұрын

@@SouthAfricanWanderer thanks I am starting to consider if another hike would be better for us. As she loves hiking but battles with heights especially ladders. Thanks. I'll think about it.

@bhavaneshparbhoo9533 2 жыл бұрын

How was the campsite ? What amenities are there ? Did y’all tent ?

@SouthAfricanWanderer 2 жыл бұрын

Yes we tented and I should have done video. But we were fighting with the wind and a tent that came with no instructions so it was a bit difficult. You can find a good flat spot but mostly it’s hard ground so securing the tents are a problem. And then sleeping on the ground is also tough so air mattresses are definitely a must. I have a three person hiking tent I recently acquired and we used a first accent two person tent but that was tiny so I wouldn’t recommend it. Temps dropped to a single digits so good sleeping bag is a must and layers for clothing. No toilets so the best bush/rock will have to do. Flowing water in the river itself…

@ramdas363 2 жыл бұрын

The road seems massively improved. Seems like it can be driven with any regular car now, is that correct?

@SouthAfricanWanderer 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Ram. There are still some really bad sections to the road up to the sentinel car park. I think it still required at least all wheel drive with a high enough clearance. We went up in a Toyota Hilux and still had a couple spots where it was difficult to plot a path through the rocks.

@i-talu3983 Жыл бұрын

As of August 2022 can confirm road to sentinel car park still very bad

@ashlinr38 Жыл бұрын

Roads are terrible, even with a 4x4 can be daunting. You can park at Witsieshoek hotel and use their shuttle

@scottythetravellingguy Жыл бұрын

No way in the world!! I was there 4 weeks ago and the road to the carpark if crazy bumpy!!

@eilisvandermerwe3100 2 жыл бұрын

Did anyone get too scared of the chain ladders when you got to that point? I am worried about seeing the ladders in person and then chickening out! I assume you can you come down the path from the alternative route?

@SouthAfricanWanderer 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Eilis. I think there were a lot of nerves but going up is the easier journey with the chain ladders so on my two trips no one really chickened out going up. Coming back down is a bit more daunting. We saw a few people who came down "in tandem" where one would almost take the lead and guide a second person down step by step. You can go up and come down the alternate path - the gulley. However it is also very steep - on our first trip we got to the top of the gulley and gauged the steepness and decided to actually go back and do the ladders going down as well. Feel free to email with any other questions (southafricanwanderer@gmail.com) or if you want to WhatsApp I can also share my number.

@eilisvandermerwe3100 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your reply! I shall definitely be in touch if I have anymore questions. Thanks for the video 😊😊

@SouthAfricanWanderer 2 жыл бұрын

@@eilisvandermerwe3100 awesomeness! When are you planning to head up?

@eilisvandermerwe3100 2 жыл бұрын

We are flying over from Northern Ireland in May! Not sure exactly when we will head to that area yet 😊

@SouthAfricanWanderer 2 жыл бұрын

@@eilisvandermerwe3100 Ah great to check out options - there are so many hikes worth doing. Marble baths comes to mind as well as the Mweni circuit which includes Tugela falls. I think my one caution would be that its heading into winter so temperatures will start dropping below zero during the night. With the right equipment you can get through just fine though...

@grahamcox5784 2 жыл бұрын

What good eats were in the packet? 🥪

@SouthAfricanWanderer 2 жыл бұрын

Hehehe I carried my lunch all the way. It was a couple tuna mayo rolls and naartjies and a banana if I remember correctly

@shanalawrence4381 2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same 🙈

@SouthAfricanWanderer 2 жыл бұрын

@@shanalawrence4381 No I know my viewers have eagle eyes and I will share what I have in my goodie bags!

@eriche8662 Жыл бұрын

Tugela Falls is NOT the highest Waterfall in the world. It is The Angel Falls in Venezuela !

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

It has been classified as the highest single drop waterfall in the world. Angel falls still has the record for the overall highest waterfall, but has multiple drops.