The Grand Traverse

 There has been a considerable debate about whether this increasingly popular hike [is that a good enough word?] should be shown on the new Drakensberg maps – or, if not actually shown, the maps should cover enough of the Lesotho high ground to cover all possible routes.

The question of whether it should be shown or not is relatively simple. There is no single clear path or route, either manufactured or simply tramped out, and different parties choose routes that seem best to them through what is largely trackless country. It’s simply not possible to show a multitude of possible ‘ways to go’ on the map without creating a real mess. It’s also an important matter of principle that a route that does not actually exist should not be put on a map.

In this regard the purpose of ‘ways to go’ needs to be better understood. These are indeed routes where there may be no clear paths, but they should only be used up and down ravines - to indicate the best side of the stream to be on, etc etc - or on ridges where there may be obstacles to be avoided. There should be no need for them in clear, open country.

The question of how much of Lesotho should be shown is a little more vexed, as it can only be shown at the expense of countryside on the KZN side of the escarpment [the map sheets are a defined size]. In this regard there is so little that can be added to the Surveyor-General’s 1:50 000 map series that one questions its value, when the inexpensive 1:50 000 sheets can be easily cut up and laminated to suit. As exhaustive search of Google Earth might reveal a few vague tracks and the odd kraal, but it really is very empty country.

Finally, the question has to be asked whether more people undertake the GT than might be interested in the mountain bike trails near the Cavern, or the Scramble Kop route to Cathedral Peak. 

The ‘Mini-Traverse’ from the Sentinel to Cathedral Peak is shown on the maps; the rough maps shown below shown that apart from a small area obscured by the title page the whole of the relevant ‘recommended’ GT route is covered by maps 1 and 2.