Well written RR, as the others said, looks like a blast, respect for doing it on your own, I would never do it solo, two reasons, as you mentioned the danger of being alone IF something does go wrong, and rather share the live experience with a friend or two. I did a circumnavigation of Lesotho a couple of years ago, this included Barkly Pass and Naude's Nek. Next time you are in the area, look up Reedsdell Farm, I see their sign in one of your pics, great place and it belongs to my niece and her husband.