Barkly Pass

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Barkly Pass
Barkly Pass
Elevation 2,018m
Traversed by R58
Location Eastern Cape, South Africa
Range Drakensberg Mountains
Coordinates 31°14′8.4″S27°50′30.8″E / 31.235667°S 27.841889°E / -31.235667; 27.841889

Barkly Pass is situated in the high mountains of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, on the Regional R58 tarred road between Elliot and Barkly East.

Contents

History

The pass is named after Henry Barkly, governor of the Cape. [1] It was constructed in 1885. [2]

Route

The pass starts a few kilometres outside Elliot at 1,473 m (4,833 ft) above sea level and ascends moderately steep at a gradient of 1:22 attaining an elevation gain of 626 m (2,054 ft) in a distance of 12 km (7.5 mi). [3] After a few sharp hairpin bends it reaches an elevation of 2,018 m (6,621 ft) at the summit. The pass is subject to frequent winter snow closures.

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References

  1. Raper, P. E. (1989). Dictionary of Southern African Place Names. Jonathan Ball Publishers. p. 69. ISBN   978-0-947464-04-2 via Internet Archive.
  2. Coulson, David; Clarke, James (1984). The Roof of Africa. Internet Archive. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. ISBN   978-0-03-071766-6.
  3. Mountain Passes South Africa - Barkly Pass