mtbvip Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Climb from Barberton on the Ameiden road : this climb has got to be one of the toughest in S.A. I rode up and over the climb into the plantations a few days ago, but forgot my Garmin at home! Does anyone know what the distance and elevation is from the base to the rain forest section? Where does the road lead? - I had to turn around after doing a few kilometers in the plantations.
Grondpad Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 I dont know the area very well, but I know that the MTN Barberton had a climb of 14.5km in it last year. It wasn't that steep but still very hard work.
mtbvip Posted January 3, 2011 Author Posted January 3, 2011 The MTN race used two other climbs for the ultra-marathon.
pezulu Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 If it is the road I am thinking of, it starts at the R38 at the Barberton Private Hospital, and climbs to the Bulembo border post with Swaziland.The road also takes you to the Somgimvelo Nature Reserve, and should you continue travelling on the plantation road, you will pass the Shiyalongubu Dam, various goldmines, and finally rejoin the R38 again at Low's Creek.On the plantation road there used to be a road leading to the Eureka mine, where gold was discovered in the Lowveld in the late 1800's. A small area in the Somgimvelo Nature Reserve is the only spot left in the world where the Encephelartus Pauciendentatis (Barberton Cycad) grows wild. The entire Makonjwane mountain range used to have these rare cycads, but most of them were destroyed when afforestation took place, and the large plantations of mainly gum trees were planted.
Mellow Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 If it is the road I am thinking of, it starts at the R38 at the Barberton Private Hospital, and climbs to the Bulembo border post with Swaziland.The road also takes you to the Somgimvelo Nature Reserve, and should you continue travelling on the plantation road, you will pass the Shiyalongubu Dam, various goldmines, and finally rejoin the R38 again at Low's Creek.On the plantation road there used to be a road leading to the Eureka mine, where gold was discovered in the Lowveld in the late 1800's. A small area in the Somgimvelo Nature Reserve is the only spot left in the world where the Encephelartus Pauciendentatis (Barberton Cycad) grows wild. The entire Makonjwane mountain range used to have these rare cycads, but most of them were destroyed when afforestation took place, and the large plantations of mainly gum trees were planted. the pass from hospital towards swaziland is called Saddleback Pass. Also known as Havelock, but that is the name af an old asbestos mine on the other side of the border in Swaziland(called Diepgeset Mine on SA side). Have no idea the climb elevation and distance, my polar battery died a couple of weeks back while mounting that monster.
Slowbee Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 If it is the road I am thinking of, it starts at the R38 at the Barberton Private Hospital, and climbs to the Bulembo border post with Swaziland.The road also takes you to the Somgimvelo Nature Reserve, and should you continue travelling on the plantation road, you will pass the Shiyalongubu Dam, various goldmines, and finally rejoin the R38 again at Low's Creek.On the plantation road there used to be a road leading to the Eureka mine, where gold was discovered in the Lowveld in the late 1800's. A small area in the Somgimvelo Nature Reserve is the only spot left in the world where the Encephelartus Pauciendentatis (Barberton Cycad) grows wild. The entire Makonjwane mountain range used to have these rare cycads, but most of them were destroyed when afforestation took place, and the large plantations of mainly gum trees were planted. Dude, you know your stuff !!! I also presume you know about the projects looking into reclaiming the uranium from the mine dumps using daisies?
WR 1.0 Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 Ameiden or Kaapmuiden? I've seen the road from Baberton to Nelspruit and thats a monster!
mtbvip Posted January 5, 2011 Author Posted January 5, 2011 Ameiden or Kaapmuiden? I've seen the road from Baberton to Nelspruit and thats a monster! No Ameiden. Ameiden town consists of three Sappi houses near the top of the climb. The dirt road to Ameiden starts roughly 2km out of Barberton (past the prison).
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