Menzi ridge spur camp

20 to 21 January 2024

A shake-down, warm-up, first camp out in the tent. I had hoped to use the Menzi ridge as a way to get down to, and cross, the Chirwe river in preparation for Mumunzi, however it was (of course!) the rainy season, and so, at the tired end of the day I decided not to risk the crossing on my own + Jack Russell carry.

Light green arrows. 1973. 1 inch = 1 mile. 1 to 63 360.

The view across to Mumunzi from the way down the ‘steep bit’ on the Menzi ridge

The ‘steep bit’ on the Menzi ridge. At the top, path visible top left diagonally to right.

Under one of the pine trees on the way down that section

From the Protea munda at the bottom of the section, across the Chirwe valley and up to Mount Nyangani – you can just make out the waterfalls cascading off the top plateau.

‘Alpine’ cows on the lower part of the ridge

Monet not looking at the rest of the now-flattened-out ridge

After some plodding we passed the end of the ridge, which ends in a forest and cliff, instead turning ‘right’ southwards to carry on down the spur.

Below is the Chirwe, flowing too fast for me to want to cross with the dog in one arm at the end of the day – she agreed.

So we refilled with water and trudged halfway back up the spur to a relatively flat, fewest tufts, least contorted, camp site and pitched just as it was about switch out the lights.