GUNUNG · Afrika Selatan

Compassberg

Kompasberg

Information

Elevation: 2.502 m
Country: Afrika Selatan (ZA)
Location / Range: Sneeuberge (Sneeuberg), Great Escarpment — Eastern Cape
Mountain type: Puncak dolerit menonjol (free-standing) di Great Escarpment
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: -31.7572, 24.5394
Difficulty: Menengah (jalur lereng utara non-teknis, ditandai tumpukan batu; puncak sangat terbuka)
Best Season: Musim gugur–semi (Maret–November); hindari badai petir & hujan es musim panas dan cuaca beku di puncak
Permits & Rules: Berada di lahan pertanian pribadi/kawasan lindung — akses lewat guest farm setempat (mis. Ganora) atau Nieu-Bethesda; tidak ada tiket resmi, koordinasi izin pemilik lahan
Hazards: Puncak sangat terbuka: badai petir, hujan es, angin kencang, suhu dingin mendadak, dan medan berbatu curam

Description

Compassberg (Kompasberg, 2,502 m) is a prominent free-standing dolerite peak forming the high point of the Sneeuberg range on the Great Escarpment in the Eastern Cape, South Africa — one of the most dominant summits in the Great Karoo. It was named by the explorer Robert Jacob Gordon in 1778 because its bold, isolated summit served as a directional (compass) reference point from afar. The mountain rises near the artists' village of Nieu-Bethesda and the town of Graaff-Reinet amid the semi-desert Karoo. The standard ascent follows the gentler, cairn-marked northern slope, taking roughly four to five hours round trip, with the summit giving sweeping views over the Karoo plains. The area is also noted for its endemic biodiversity, including the butterfly Thestor compassbergae.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Compassberg 4x4 & hiking trail

Menengah (jalur non-teknis; puncak sangat terbuka, tanpa fasilitas)

~3 jam naik / 3 jam turun berjalan penuh (lebih singkat bila memakai 4x4 ke lereng atas)

A combined 4x4-and-hike route to the Compassberg summit (2,502 m) near Nieu-Bethesda in the Karoo Heartland. From the parking point it is about three hours up and three hours down on foot; with a 4x4 you can gain height, cutting the walk to roughly 2 hours up. The summit offers sweeping views over the Karoo plains. There are no facilities along the trail, so carry your own provisions.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Compassberg is usually done as a day hike from the Nieu-Bethesda/Graaff-Reinet area. From the parking point it takes roughly three hours up and three hours down on foot, or less if a 4x4 is used to reach the upper slopes. Hikers report sweeping views over the Karoo plains from the summit, but also warn of the very exposed summit weather — thunderstorms, hail, and cold wind can arrive suddenly. There are no facilities on the trail, so bring your own provisions.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.