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June/July 2002 Newsletter
- Editorial
- Hike Reports
- Social Events
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GREETINGS FROM
YOUR EDITOR
Dear fellow Members,
I hope that it has been a good couple of months for you all and that
you have been out in the natural world getting the all important
exercise. Just think that you can self-medicate with a good pair of
boots on your feet and some distance behind you. Time Magazine in their
article entitled "Walk, Don't Run', came close to finding a "magic
cure" (quote) Regular physical activity is probably as close to a magic
bullet as we will come in modern medicine (unquote). Of all the
sporting activities you can take part in, it is pleasantly surprising
to find that walking seems to be the most beneficial to your health.
Many people are very sceptical of low intensity 'pleasant' exercises
such as walking as they believe the saying "No pain, no gain". However,
although there can be no doubt that high-intensity exercise, such as
jogging and aerobics, offer more immediate results, evidence suggests
that low-intensity exercise can have the same effects in the longer
term with the added advantage of having less of a strain on the body.
We also need to balance regular exercise with good food and the Time
magazine article entitled 'Foods that Pack a Punch' interestingly
states that the fruit and veggies which pack the most punch are the
ones that are rich in colour - spinach, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes and
carrots. The other foods listed are nuts, oats, tuna, sardines and
pilchards, garlic and ordinary and/or green tea. I am very pleased to
see that red wine is listed too! It is one of the excellent things that
I have come to know since arriving in this - the fairest Cape of them
all - the appreciation of this dark, rich red beverage, the fruit of
the vine.
 Margie and I have certainly had a great
couple of months, doing some enjoyable walks and trails - notably the
weekend away at the Bontebok National Park in Swellendam. It was a
great getaway and my appreciation and compliments to Denise Hopkins for
being so pro-active in organizing this all.
Something else that was of great interest to me
was helping Margie, who was called by SANCCOB, which is that wonderful
organization who work tirelessly for the conservation of coastal birds.
We went there to help wash oil off the charming little fellows in their
dress suits - the African penguin, no longer called the Jackass as that
was derogatory. So we scrubbed and rinsed, to return their little
chests from oily black to bright white. Isn't it just too wonderful to
know that they, who would surely have died, can now be returned to live
on their own beach, wherever that may be. The care taken is immense,
from eye ointment to darrows, from innoculation to tabard, carefully
rubbed onto their heads to stop a particular pesky mosquito nipping
them as they are also prone to a certain type of malaria.
There was also a whole host of gannets who had
been sent in to be washed from Malgas - I know now why sometimes I was
told not to eat 'like a gannet' as when I watched them being fed, not
only did they easily swallow about 3 or 4 large sardines, but would
readily have taken a sardine out of some other bird's beak as it was
trying to line it up, head first, then slide down its throat.
It was altogether a well spent Sunday and as they
are in need of volunteers it may be a suggestion to offer your
services, particularly when a hike has been cancelled due to inclement
weather over a weekend. Margie, being daft on animals, volunteered way
back and when I asked her the inevitable question of WHO would come
first - the animal in need or myself - the answer to that, I will tell
you in the next Newsletter!
Have a great time !
Cheers and God bless, JAMES.
To the top
CONSTANTIA
CORNER/HOLE IN THE WALL: 21-04-2002
LEADER: RORY GILMORE
REPORTER: TOMMY HISCOCK
Fifteen of us set off from Constantia Nek in ideal
cool but sunny weather. This made the push up the hill quite pleasant
and the climb up Constantia Corner through the amazing fynbos was a
pleasure.
After tea in sight of the camel, we carried on
around De Villiers Dam, through the hole (some chickened out!) and on
to the magic forest. Following the leader as always - we went through
nooks, past crannies, around boulders, over rocks and under the old
man's beard to a special lunch-spot.
After lunch the weather really closed in and
visibility became almost zero so we opted to head in the general
direction of coffee and cake, rather than Reserve Peak! This was a
great hike - thanks, Rory.
To the top
CEDARBERG HIKE -
27/30- APRIL 2002
HIKE LEADER: MERVYN HENDERSON
REPORTER: PAUL TYLER
Brave band of travellers : Deborah, Robin and
Victoria, Helen, Doug, Ariane, Di, Juliette, Annake, Vera, Paul, Gavin,
Richard, Brett, Jill and Carola. We set off for what promised to be
another exciting five day hike in the Cedarberg mountains on 27 April
but, by the end of three days, had to curtail the hike by a day because
of the weather. We were a large party of 17 in all, and it was a
gathering of good friends, so lots of news was exchanged.
 Having reached Welbedacht, the first day's
walk was relatively short as we made our way up a ravine to the shale
band that circumscribes the mountains in this part of the Cedarberg. We
pitched camp after a further hour's walking and made supper as the full
moon rose above the horizon into a clear sky populated by a myriad of
stars.
However, our second day showed signs of what was
to come as we had a relatively flat walk around the base of Sneeukop
Mountain, but met an increasingly fierce wind. On arrival at the
intended campsite, we found no water and, barring the unappealing
Sneeukop hut, no shelter from the wind, so we back-tracked until we
could find a sheltered area in which to make camp. This happened to be
at the head of Engelmanskloof where the path descended down to Christal
Pools. There was a lovely pool to freshen up in nearby, but some were
braver than others in plunging in to the cold water (actually there
were only two brave enough to do it, the hike leader being one of
those). A glorious sunset accompanied our supper and we watched a giant
gnome try his luck at fishing with a heavy wooden rod, silhouetted
against a deep red sky. (in case you fear we were taking something
quite strong with supper, we can explain that this was one of many
'figures' that we made out from the fascinatingly weathered rock (the
gnome) juxtaposed against the trunk of a dead cedar tree (the fishing
rod!).
Despite the old theory of the red sky at night, we
woke the next morning under a cloudy blanket with a heavy drizzle
dampening the tents. It was decided that we would abandon the day's
planned hike and stay in our tents waiting for the weather to cleared.
Those who had carried papers or books were very content and snug in
their tents and there were chances to do short walks later when the
weather cleared. Another glorious sunset filled the sky as we had
supper and the gnome had another try at catching his! We settled for
the night, but had a rude awakening at about 3 am when the tents
started to contort into amazing shapes in the face of a howling wind
which did not abate until well into the next day. Thankfully only one
tent gave way but this was no consolation for Deborah, Robin and
Victoria who had a very early start to the day!
In the light of the fierce wind and the high wind
chill factor, which probably drove temperatures well below zero, there
was no disagreement with Mervyn's carefully considered decision to head
for home a day early by re- tracing our steps, via the Sleeppad Hut for
a late but sheltered breakfast. We were all relieved to reach the cars
and, although disappointed that the exciting route planned had had to
be abandoned, we were in good spirits as we reflected on our shared
adventure. Our legacy was to leave the hills alive with the 'Sound of
Music' as Victoria's tuneful choir had enthusiastically sung the songs
from the movie!
To the top
THE OTTER TRAIL: 2/6
JUNE 2002
HIKE LEADER: MERVYN HENDERSON REPORTER: PAUL TYLER
Hikers: Karen, Vera and Paul
Our experience on the Otter Trail ranged from
Mervyn's nine previous visits down to none and so there was much
expectation as we drove up to Nature's Valley on the Saturday and made
supper at the Nature's Valley Guest House. There was also some
apprehension about the weather, as the previous week in Cape Town had
been cold and wet. We had a leisurely start on the Sunday as the first
day of hiking was a short one and as we had elected to watch a video
too. The walk to the first hut, with a lunch stop and a chance to
admire the waterfall, was accomplished in around three hours and the
weather was bright but cold. This meant-that, after cooking and eating
supper, we headed straight for our sleeping bags, with Vera clutching
the little hot-water bottle she had, with great foresight, purchased.
AlI the huts slept six and had a wood working surface for cooking and
ready access to clean water, but the .main features were the external
flush toilets. The one-way glass windows and magnificent coastal
locations made for the best views any toilet could offer!
The next two days of hiking were both just under 8
kms and included plenty of up-and-downs as we moved from the shoreline
up to the top of headlands and then down again. We had lovely beaches
on which to stop for lunches and great view spots where we could look
along the coastline and enjoy the power of the crashing waves and the
beauty of the plants and indigenous forest. The days were bright and we
had distant sightings of a whale and several schools of dolphins. We
also saw otter -spoor at Blue Bay and were a little sad that the otter
had only just passed by and that this might be the closest we would
come to an encounter with an otter.
However, after breakfast at Oakhurst on Day 4 on
the banks of the Lottedng River, the other party of hikers (6 running
friends who had organized the hike as a reunion) alerted us to the
presence of an otter in the river mouth and we caught a fleeting
glimpse of it swimming across to rocks on the far side.  After
this eventful start to the day we loaded up our backpacks somewhat
apprehensively as we now faced the longest day on the trail (nearly 14
kms) and the most difficult of the many five crossings - the infamous
tidal mouth of the Bloukrans River - but we rejoiced in the warmth of
the day and the lightening of our loads after good suppers en route!
After some 5 kms, dolphins were spotted just offshore and we decided to
have a tea break to watch them. They swam around for a while and one
leapt gracefully at least twice its body length out of the water on
several occasions. Then we noticed other shapes in the water closer to
us - we now had three otters in view! One otter did not stay around,
but the other two gave us a wonderful display of swimming, diving and
fishing. We were able to bring them very close through the binoculars -
it was infinitely better than watching a wildlife film! We saw them
feeding fish and crabs into their mouths and one got out onto a ledge
for a while to enjoy its catch. We could even see their incisors and
whiskers when their faces were out of the water. It was a magical
encounter and it was hard to drag ourselves away for the next leg of
the hike.
We made good progress though, and, after a good
lunch, moved down to the Bloukrans at mid-tide. As had become usual,
Karen tackled the river crossing on a 'trial run' and reported back on
the various options. We stowed our possessions into waterproof bags in
our backpacks then prepared to wade into the water - taking either a
longer, shallower route to rocks and the far side from where it was
possible to walk along the rocks to the point where you can climb the
cliff, or taking a more direct route where the water came up to wait or
chest level, depending on your size. Which ever route was chosen, we
all arrived safely, with dry packs, on the other side and, after drying
off, completed the final few kilometres to the next under under a
golden sky.
After rising early in the morning to a beautifully
lit cliff face overlooking the bay, the weather deterioriated so that
we had a little rain as we walked the last few kilometres to Nature's
Valley for a long-awaited hot shower and tasty cooked lunch. Rather
than make the journey home in one long drive, we all decided to stay
over at a Spa in Calitzdorp for the night and enjoyed soaking in the
piping hot water and reflecting on a hike that had come as close to
perfection as could be expected this side of heaven!
Postscript - For those of you to missed this
Otter, it was one in a lifetime, never to be repeated. The leader rates
this trip as a 1 0/1 0, after having hiked the Otter at nine other
times in the last 12 years. Good luck to those that follow - you have
something to aim for!
To the top
SWARTBERG TRAIL Monday
27 May - Saturday 1 June 2002
Hike Leader: PAUL TAYLOR
Reporter: MARGIE CRAWLEY
Present: Paul, Marie-Paul, Dieter, Conrad, Jenny,
Ramona (Froggie) Vincent and Moi.
We left from the Enviro Centre early Monday
morning and took our time driving through the beautiful Hex River
Valley Pass, to Worcester, Ashton, Robertson, Montague, Barrydale,
Ladysmith, Calitzdorp and thence through Oudtshoorn to about 20 kms.
outside to our first night's ramp site at de Hoek. Actually not so far
from the Cango Cave turn-off. What fun to sight all the ostriches
running around, boys and girls, black and brown, in the lush green
fertile fields. -They certainly cater for the tourists in this part of
the world, crocodile farms, cheetah farms, the works. Also interesting
to note the number of backpackers' places and B & B's available in
and out of Oudtshoorn, literally dozens of them.
 We had an excellent braai that night getting
to know each other (5 members and 3 visitors*) and pitched our tents in
the huge, very clean and beautifully kept camp site which we had all to
ourselves bar an elderly couple who came in later that evening in their
kombi, who also took a group photo next morning. (-credentials'
included a geologist, microbiologist, ornithologist, IT software
development specialist, ex-Navy/handyman, conservation biologist,
teacher and textiles packaging coordinator - not to be scorned, noghal).
Next morning at 08h3O we started the ascent - up,
up, up to a climb of about 1500m in all - laden with full rucksacks,
blown by a strong Northwester wind, tailwinds, crosswinds, were we ever
so pleased to have our tea break. By then the temperature was failing
rapidly and we all donned warmer clothing. during this stop. In fact,
when attempting to take my trousers out of my rucksack the wind
actually blew them over the rocks and I had to scurry to retrieve them
- what a relief to have warm legs though! Poor Marie-Paul and I were
knocked over on several occasions being tail end charlies and
definitely the slowest of our group of 8. At this stage we both
questioned our sanity as to why on earth we were doing what we were
doing when we needn't have been doing it ... Below us we could still
see the camp site but getting smaller and smaller the higher we
climbed. A welcome lunch break mid-afternoon, more warm clothes donned
however. Oh, what beautiful countryside all around us. We could see the
Outeniqua Mountains, the Meiringspoort Range, the Swartberg Mountains,
the whole panoramic 360 degree view, 7 ranges of mountains all folding
behind each other - too awesome for words. The reserve itself is made
up of 121 000 ha of diverse vegetation featuring renosterveld, mountain
fynbos, Karoo-veld, spekboom veld and numerous geophyte and bulb
species. We heard more than saw birds but thanks to our ornithologist,
Dieter, whereas I saw about 3, he saw about 20 and I will list all the
birds spotted later on for all them bird lovers out there! The weather
he explained would have kept them away, they'd be lying low in the
bushes keeping warm. Not moving around getting colder like us!
Our first night after about 12,3 kms. was spent at
Gouekrans Hut. (We found the brochure issued to be not quite accurate
on heights and distances, however). What a lovely hut, it sleeps 24
people and we were just S. It also had a balcony which had a panoramic
view over the landscape dominated by Cape fold mountains. We marvelled
at a weak but glorious sunset and even found some wood left by 4 x 4
travellers whom we truly blessed as the weather was getting ever colder
by the minute. We enjoyed the fire in the chimney place right by the
inevitable table with bench chairs and had wonderful fireside chats
with lots of interesting stories. Out came the scotch or O.B. for those
who tippled which tastes even more delicious at higher altitudes! The
rooms themselves were so interestingly constructed having been built
into the actual rock itself with a concrete furrow in front behind the
bunks. The 2 loos and 2 showers (for those who braved C-O-L-D water)
were in perfect running order, the picturesque quarry stone hut itself
was in immaculate condition, all the doors and shwers had been recently
painted white - very impressive indeed! Definitely the best hut of the
3 we slept in.
Next morning at 08h30 (we got to know our trusty
leader's timing, always the same!) after breakfasting and sweeping we
set off - not long after light rain came down, so on came the
all-weather gear. And then it really started pouring and then it really
got cold and then it got even more cold and still colder. Paul had the
problem of trying to put on his brand new gloves with frozen hands and
couldn't understand why one finger wouldn't go in - but it had been
stitched up so with Vincent's aid he finally avoided frostbite. All
that wind of the previous day then hit us with firstly fine mist, then
heavy mist, then no view, then rain which turned to - aaggh - sleet
which turned to - double aaggh - SNOW! (And Paul had deliberately
chosen end May to do this trail because no rain was predicted!).  I
will never forget the sight of Vincent with his special souwaster given
to him when he visited Niagara Falls not to get wet from the spray -
looking more like Batman about to take off, flapping in the wind. Well
the next couple of hours were pretty taxing and afterwards we discussed
our particular'nightmares' before getting to the hut half dead (for me
at least) some 12,8kms later. Our backpacks were covered in snow and
ice, our feet and hands were totally frozen, we were wet through
(despite rain gear) and quite low in spirits. Dieter was a shining star
dispensing life-saying Kitkat which we devoured whilst building up
piles of icy water from our discarded clothing in one room of the hut.
What a disappointment this hut was, cold, gloomy, fireless. 4 loos in
non-working order, ceilings falling down and a very cursory dining area
adjacent to the one bedroom in front with two bedrooms at the back.
Badly constructed, the man who designed it must have bad a severe
migraine that day. Jenny and Conrad, having moved to a back room, then
moved back to the front - so cold it was, the shutters flapping in the
wind, impossible to get warm, let alone keep warm. We spent the
afternoon drinking cup-of-soup to warm up, then tea, then coffee, then
more soup, then by 6 when it was dark and we'd all eaten. So we started
the first of our card evenings - I must tell you we 8 are now all
expert at UNO and HEARTS which Froggie taught us. As is so often the
case, the wonderful camaraderie shared with fellow hikers after a
gruelling and tough day comes through, lots of laughter, jollity, fun,
jokes and more fun - totally healing stuff. Then you relate the events
of the day and out come your fears or worries that you wouldn't have
made it but we all did and survived to tell the tale! In the brochure
they write of climatic extremes with very cold winters, often with snow
on the mountains and temperatures well below zero. Conrad had
previously hiked it some years before when he experienced just the
opposite - an uncomfortably hot 40 - 42C weather every day and they
just about died from sunstoke and heat exhaustion. Extreme is also
translated in the Oxford Dictionary as very intense - no kidding!
At this stage Paul decided if tomorrow, Day 3,
didn't bring sunshine we couldn't risk having no spare warrn gear at
all and we would have to abort the trail.. I think at one stage I was
almost wishing this would happen, though now I would deny it as being a
total wimp and having experienced what we did. We were thrilled
watching the snow fall inside the bare hut rather than actually walking
in it, that's definitely the truth!
Next morning - magic - SUNSHINE. Weak and watery
at 08H00 but clear. blue skies, I promptly kissed the ground with total
joy, A white wonderland awaited us, all that water had turned to ice,
or it had turned to snow on the surrounding peaks. Why bother to go to
Europe, we had it right there! Beautiful, beautiful stuff. Fortunately
for us that 3rd day was walking on the jeep track throughout - about
13,3 kms. which we easily accomplished by lunchtime stopping just for
tea, reaching Ou Tol at about I pm where we decided to have a HOT lunch
- soup has never tasted so good. Having had to don our wet and sodden
clothes on our bodies that morning and the subsequent walking off
drying them reasonably well, we could now strip off and don warm
clothing and within minutes of arrival outside the house looked like a
Chinese laundry. Socks, boots, sleeping bags, tops, bottoms, gloves,
beanies, the works, all hung out to dry in the glorious sun. It was
well timed for us, we needed the rest and we needed the warmth from the
previous day's hard labour and cold. Once the sun set the drafty house
became very cold very quickly, it being in a valley just below the
actual top of the dirt road Swartberg Peak itself at 1583m. This pass,
incidentally, was proclaimed a National Monument in its centenary in
1988. A chill wind blew in every room but we had the luxury of a
kitchen with a sink. We heard a couple of 4 by 4's pass us but luckily
had the whole house to ourselves (too fancy for a 'hut', it used to
belong to a ranger and actually sleeps 24 people there being another
house at the back) which was great. We all helped collect alien (pins)
firewood and cones determined to have a warm fire that night in the
huge fireplace in the front room. I can honestly relate to the readers
of this laborious tale IT WAS THE BEST FIRE I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED! We
loved it so and didn't want to leave its dying warmth some 415 hours
later so Marie-Paul, Dieter, Froggis and I actually slept right there
after a wonderful evening of card playing re-using precious candle wax
over and over again. Alas the warmth eventually went and once more we
huddled into our dry sleeping bags (emphasis on DRY, yippee!),
Again Mother Nature favoured us next morning and
at - you've guessed it - 08h3O we left Ou Tol walking up the Pass
itself to Die Top. Here Jenny was able to find out from her Mother that
young Malcolm wasn't missing her! Vincent was able to phone his sons
for a weather forecast and life almost "returned to normal" with people
using their cellphones! Then began our real challenge - up to the
highest point of our trail - first to Albertberg at 1673m in the snow
and ice - quite an experience when climbing up and not on a jeep track
- only to be told by Paul this was a 'false' summit and horror of
horrors, we then had to schlepp up to Oliewenberg at 1856,6m. Well we
were truly tried and tested being weary still from the previous days
and thankfully at the top had what remained of our dwindling food by
way of lunch. I must relate that we were absolutely privileged to see
views for hundreds of kilometers in almost every direction. The scenery
is so rugged and we had to be particularly careful with every single
step - it is daunting, to say the least, climbing on ice and I was so
thankful I had my skiing stick (named Elkins, what a friend!). By now
our injuries were catching up with us, Froggie's ankle was really
hassling her and Conrad and Vincent's legs were bright pinky red from
the cold (how those men could hike in shorts at zero temperatures will
always amaze me!), one of my ankles felt about I 00 years old,
Marie-Paul was having a bad hair wash day and so for-the but - intrepid
as ever - we then went down, down, down and back to Bothashoek hut. At
one stage M-P and I said if only we could go back down to the camp but
the 12,6 kms. done that day was enough, especially as we'd further
depleted our energy with snowball fights along the way. By this time we
just wanted to get out of our boots and rest our derrieres and take off
our boots. We had a couple of hours' sunshine still to enjoy before the
oh-so-cold nightfall came but saw another beautiful sunset across the
way. That night although the sky was punctured with beautiful stars and
we saw Orion's Belt, the Southern Cross, Scorpio, etc., (as had been
sighted at Ou Tol) at some stage during the night the weather once
again turned foul and fortune did not smile on us again. (This was the
night Hansie Cronje & 2 SAA pilots went down not so far from us as
the crow flies and it is totally believable how it happened in that
terrible inclement weather).
Our last day - Saturday - was only a half day's
hike of some 8,7 kms. and we first went up to the ridge behind the hut,
then down, down, down once more in the snow and later in the rain. We
were really thankful to see the camp site once more and dying for a HOT
shower - but alas, this pleasure was denied us much to Conrad's
chargrin who was understandably hopping mad. We then proceeded to the
rondawels in Oudtshoorn where Paul had so wisely booked 6 of us, to
wind down before returning to Cape Town, Jenny and Conrad then leaving
us to spend the night with rellies in George and there we got our
amazing hot shower ... what's worth waiting for ... THE BEST EVER!
 BIRDS SEEN (not LBJ'S)
These included orange breasted sunbird, malachite sunbird, ground
woodpecker, protea canary, red winged starling, Cape bunting, Cape rock
jumper, Cape sugar bird, spotted prinia, grass bird, Cape siskin,
jackal buzzard, Cape eagle owl, black eagle, rock kestrel, yellow
rumped widow, fiscal shrike, house sparrow and finally, Cape francolin.
FOREVER MEMORABLE EXPRESSIONS
- Paul -'Cape Nature Conservation said to turn it down' (just the 8 of
us in 121 000 ha of nature!) - stated whilst playing cards in
Bothashoek hut 2nd visit. - Marie-Paul -"'What do you mean the rules
have changed AGAIN?" - stated when playing UNO our last night in the
rondawel after supper in town.- Dieter -"Some sources might say'"...
(guessing how far below zero the temperature had plummeted to whilst
trying to sleep!) - stated during last night in Bothashoek Hut trying
to get to asleep yet again.- Conrad - 'Didn't you know that balaclavas
are great for catching croutons in?' (whilst drinking soup in all his
available warm clothing, he actually picked them up and promptly ate
them too) - stated the last afternoon at Bothashoek Hut. Jenny -'Let's
have a kilometre competition' (somewhere someplace sometime) - stated
on the Swartberg Trail. Froggie -'God Bless America/God Bash America!'
(all 7 of us definitely went up in our educational knowledge of the
good US of A - an amazing lady to have along with a wicked sense of
humor to boot) - stated throughout the trail. Vincent -'Wake up, it's
SNOWING!" (@ 2pm in the morning with poor Paul fast asleep, then waking
up fast, getting out of his bunk to 'defend' himself, hitting his head
hard on the bunkhead above, thinking it was an intruder (a gennet came
to mind, then readying himself to lash out and Vincent oh-so- nearly
nearly got Paul's right fist good and proper by way of contact stated
during lst night in Bothashook Hut. Moi - THE END (thankfully for you
all!).
Thank you, Paul for a wonderful trip from the
whole team, it was so aptly planned and lead by you and also for the
lovely follow-up evening when we all sighted each others' photographs
and saw Dieter's marvelous slide show. Bravo!
SWARTBERG HIKING TRAIL: 28 May - 1 June 2002
LEADER: PAUL TAYLOR
REPORTER: PAUL TAYLOR
My thanks go to members Conrad, Jenny, Margie and
Marie-Paul and to visitors Dieter, Ramona and Vincent for helping to
make this an enjoyable and memorable hike, notwithstanding the adverse
weather conditions and the one below standard hut in which we had to
spend two nights. We battled high winds, rain, driving sleet, intense
cold and yes - snow. However, on the summit route day we had glorious
sun, which made the whole hike worthwhile.
A special thanks go to Dieter who has put some of
his digital photos on a website. These can be viewed at http://www.uct.ac.za/depts/stats/adu/travel/swartberg.htm
To the top
A WINTER'S DAY
OUTING IN THE HELDERBERG - Sunday 30 June 2002
HIKE LEADER: TONY BURTON
REPORTER: PETER PETROPULOS
In Winter Capetonians expect it to rain every
weekend, thus putting a hiatus on their Trails Club doings. I can never
fathom this one out, one can always dry oneself and warm up at the
nearest pub. So when Sunday 3oth broke and promised to be a fine day 13
members, one pending member, and one visitor met with Tony to climb to
the top of Helderberg Dome. At the outset Tommy confessed that as he
had not recced the route this would be a recce. He wanted to get to the
Dome from the other side and not go up the eternal Jeep tracks on the
Holderberg Reserve side. So we found our way to Helderborgplaas, a very
beautiful spot off the road between Somerset West and Stellenbosch. We
paid our dues and received a map and off we went.
Now I must explain to my dear readers that our
intrepid group consisted of a very fit, fast group and a fit, slower
group and a fit, but very slow group. All was well until our fast group
got to the place where it was possible to either turn left or right.
They went left. We followed them. Big mistake! We now did the all time
Trails Club record BUNDU BASH. We all surrendered to the Mountain gods,
they will be satisfied for quite some time. All was not grim, however,
as we saw a Black Eagle and what looked like a smaller raptor (Birds of
the feathered kind are not my thing) engaged in aerial combat. The
smaller one apparently protective of its young. The fynbos was very
dense. As Margie remarked, 'I have never disliked a Protea before.'
Anyway, we all reached the tea/lunch spot eventually.  Here it was decided that, as we had left late because a
member's car would not start and a friend had gone to pick him up, and
it had taken much longer than expected to negotiate the bundu, we would
abandon our plan to do the Dome and go up West Peak instead.
Now I think I should explain why we had attempted
the all-time record. The very fast group should have gone, right.
After/lunch and West Peak and after enjoying the superb views, we
started our descent. A clear path led us down to the mountain. I was
back marker so, of course, I was at the back. Half way down I happened
to see two of the semi-fast group coming back UP a route I had not seen
before. And way down on a road taking them away from the cars, was the
larger, very fast group. We signaled to our two wayward comrades where
the correct path was and waited for them to catch the slow group up.
The very fasties were now out of sight. All was not lost, however, as
we all met up at the Tea Garden on the plaas eventually.
Tony refused to compensate me for the loss of skin
and blood saying that he had made a little speech before we started in
which he said, we cannot hold him nor the Club responsible. Anyways the
beer at the River Club went some way in assuaging the pain.
To the top
MARLOTH RESERVE/
SWELLENDAM - 15/16 JUNE 2002
LEADER - DENISE HOPKINS
REPORTER - JEN DAVIES
Present - Margie, James, Deryck, Sandy, Erica,
Norman, Margaret, Denise, Gaynor, -Val, Jen. Plus Rod, Libby and their
2 juniors (who camped).
Wonder who Marloth was? Perhaps I wasn't
listening. (Ed. Jen, I think he was one of the early engineers who
lived in Swellendam in days of yore), But nothing worried us on a
wonderful weekend, getting, away from it all. We thank Denise for her
initiative in planning this and introducing us to the beauty of the
Marloth Reserve.
We arrived Saturday early afternoon and did a
short walk in the Marloth Reserve, having dumped our stuff at our
accommodation, which was in the Bontebok Nature Reserve on the other
side of the National Road opposite Swellendam.
It had been difficult to understand how a caravan
was attached to a Wendy house type of communal room, for our
accommodation! But, Io and behold, that was exactly it and it was quite
comfortable. Great fortitude on the part of determined men who did a
braai for us outside on Saturday night, in between quite heavy showers
of rain. They just looked a bit wet afterwards but our meat, potatoes,
etc., were done to a turn. Thanks, guys! Sunday was a sparkling sunny
day but we set off with every possible warm garment, from gloves to
beanies, to keep out the early morning chill as the Reserve was in
shade nearly all morning. Steep uphill for about an hour, to start
with, so the peeling of garments happened pretty promptly. Then fairly
easy walking except for several downs and ups as we crossed ravines.
Water was gushing in one such and we struggled to get across - all
managed to keep dry except for Margie who thought the water might just
be something more interesting and sat down in it to have an early
snort! Stopped for lunch in brilliant sunshine and then made our way
bark to the cars, with various uncertainties about the best way, so
interesting bits and pieces were added!
 A great braai again the second night and then
a lovely walk along the river in the Bontebok Reserve when the
'birders' amongst us could use our binos. Finally a L-0-N-G drive back
(with James and Margie leading the pack of cars) to check that the
brochure was not lying about the variety of buck in the Bontebok
Reserve. Still not very convinced! By the end of this drive it was
nearly lunch-time and we found an excellent restaurant 'La Belle
Alliance' in Swellendam, where we could sit outside and enjoy sunshine
and great food and service. Then ... some said "we must go to the
Fairie Sanctuary" and I thought" do we HAVE to?". But we all went and
it was an enchanting and most entertaining experience. The human
fairies (husband and wife) who have established the place are to be
seen to be believed. We can recommend it.
MARLOTH NATURE RESERVE - SWELLENDAM
Long Weekend in June - Hike Leader/Reporter - DENISE HOPKINS
Hikers: Myself, Sandy, Gaynor, Val, Jen, Erica, Deryck, Norman and
Margaret, James and Margie, Rod, Libby and children.
Swellendam - named after Hendrik van Swellen
(grebel) and his wife Helena ten Dam (me). Third oldest town in the
Cape, officially established in 1745. Swellendam declared itself an
independent republic in 1795, thus briefly becoming the first
independent European-ruled colony in Africa.
James and Margie were late. A shopping trip into
the dorp (I believe to buy essentials like wine, only to discover the
Bontebok Park wasn't so badly stocked after all), Our chalavans can be
recommended (that's what you get when you mate a caravan with a
chalet). Double beds and 4 singles, fully equipped fridge, gas cooker,
bedding, crockery and cutlery, chairs, braai grid, etc., at R44
p.p.p.n. Saturday afternoon we bundled into our cars and rattled down
the gravel road to the Marloth Nature Reserve. The guard wasn't on duty
so we got in for nothing. Shhhh! A ramble up hills and down a zig-zag
and onto private ground (oops) where we watched horses graze while we
grazed on our tea and koek. And on to stretch our legs through the
village. 'Town and Country' Rod titled this walk and that it was. It
rained solidly for an hour that night but Norman had made such a great
braai, not even the great flood could have put it out. The party
continued inside Chalavan No. 4 while the storm raged on. Competitions
were held to see who could stand on one leg the longest. Yes, you're
right, they weren't drinking coffee. Didn't sleep too well that night
as my bunk was rather narrow and Norman gently rattled the van with his
snoring. Margaret says he is going to get his own bedroom son if he
doesn't watch out!
The next day dawned spectacular. Not a cloud in
sight but the Reserve was very wet. Our ascent to Die Plaat (a very
long contour path) was accompanied by hymns from the local church, way
down below. He who walks in front gets wet feed (and cobwebs). Guess
whose boots need sealing? My socks had collected so much water I had to
wring them out at lunchtime. We shared views over fresh fynbos, pine
forests and the town in the distance. It was quite rewarding to look
back over the distance we had walked. Everyone seemed suitably
impressed with the day. (Ed. You've hit the nail on the head, Denise!)
Another great braai that evening, we had every type of drink possible.
Wine, beer, port, even schnapps! Lots of cookies too, Tex, Aero, Mint
crisps, Bar Ones and everyone's favorite @ Albany.
 We packed an Monday morning before proceeding
on a short hike around the Bontebok Park along the river, primarily to
spot birds but a fresh breeze coming up from the South kept them away.
A game drive around the park on the way out proved too long and boring
for some and thoughts of a late afternoon doze disappeared out the car
window. We stopped and stared at all the buck and they stared back at
us. Lunch was held in the dorp at a very pleasant restaurant next to
the river. Five stars for the quick and efficient service.
Our last port of call was to the Faerie Sanctuary,
home to an eccentric middle- aged couple who spend their time lovingly
tending the faeries, goblins and mushrooms in their rustic garden.
Sandy could hardly keep her face straight when she met the lady of the
house but the long flowing fairy dresses on the washing line should
have prepared her for what was coming. A young-at- heart but old girl
with long flowing grey tresses in a long pastel dress led us around the
house pointing out the delicate ornaments for sale. I think we all left
with a little keepsake.
The rare CAPE BONTEBOK (Damaliscud dorcas dorcas)
was once nearly extinct. A careful breeding programme and preservation
in parks such as the Bontebok National Park has ensured its survival.
The Blue-buck (Hippotragus leucophaeus) was not so fortunate, confined
to the Overberg, it was hunted to extinction by 1800, becoming the
first recorded African mammal to become extinct. It was closely related
to the roan and sable antelopes.
To the top
BOKKOP PEAK,
SILVERMINE - Saturday 8 June 2002
HIKE LEADER - SANDY HOWELL
REPORTER - MARGIE CRAWLEY
Present: Sandy, Jo, Lenny, Jenny M, Heather, Peter P, Fizz, Sam,
Denise, Yvonne, Virginia and Moi.
12 of us, good and true (non-rugby supports,
nogal) met on the reservoir side of Silvermine to join Sandy on her
maiden voyage as Hike Leader for the first time. Despite the light rain
around the mountain, most of us took a chance in the hopes it would be
walkable. Our only man up to then was Peter P, who was most relieved
when Tommy and Yvonne pitched up but - alas - Tommy was off to play
tennis and not hike, so Peter was once again let loose on the girls.
Fortunately as we were about to commence our trail, Lenny rocked up -
oh, the sheer relief on Peter's face! After the initial greetings,
etc., Sandy told us she may or may not stick to her intended route,
weather permitting. Well all the Gods were on her side as no rain fell
during our +/- 3 hours of walking although later that night it simply
poured down and for most of the next day, in some places. It was a
lovely, easy walk with superb views which were enhanced by a weak sun
from time to time with some sea breezes thrown in.
 Our tea spot was 2/3rds up on Bokkop Peak
itself and Sandy mentioned for those who wanted to, they could go on up
to the beacon itself, which 5 people took up, and what a superb view of
Noordhoek, Long Beach and Sun Valley - well worth the extra slog. It's
amazing how quickly one cools off and we didn't prolong our tea stop
but set off once again more or less parallel to the jeep track where
we'd started, but this time following the course of the river. This was
in full spate having been filled up earlier and the beautiful brown
river water dashing over the rocks was quite awesome. At one stage
there was quite a little waterfall to navigate but we all crossed over
safely and thence back to the cars, about 5 kms. in all.
Well done, Sandy, keep it up! And you didn't even
use up your initial allotment of losing 10%, let alone the 'allowable'
30% for first time Hike Leaders!
To the top
TOMMY HISCOCKS
CHAPMAN'S PEAK - Sunday 8 June 2002
REPORTER - PETER PETROPULOS
In the morning I awoke to find an overcast day.
The weather boffins had forecast rain for the afternoon. When I was
young, I took the boffins seriously. But now I am older and wiser! So I
packed my rucksack with a liter of water and a thermos of Rooibos and
the leftovers of last night's pasta, and proceeded to Hout Bay, there
to meet Tommy and the hordes of TCSA members who wanted to hike to
Chapman's Peak, and gaze at the wonderful views Tommy had promised us.
All 1 8 of us set off from East Fort, up the Jeep track to the contour
path. Here some of us decided that the tops we were wearing had got us
all sticky and wet and much too warm. Stripping took place. On we went,
past the waterfall of Blackburn's Ravine and up the muddy, zigzagging
path towards the lonely, fog shrouded peak of Chapman. The weather was
threatening. All this time I looked out for the views promised by our
leader.  In vain. Onwards, towards the Peak. Some of us had by now
decided that we had stripped off too much, so out came the warmer tops
and even waterproofs. At the cross paths Tommy called a conference.
Democratically, we decided that as we could not even see the Peak, we
would find some respite from the wine, which was now blowing a few
knots below @ale force, and have our lunch. Then we would turn around
and return to our start. Never has a cup of rooibos and some cold pasta
been more welcome. Off we went, back along the path, It now started to
drizzle. Then it started to rain. The boffins had got it half right. It
was still just noon, not yet afternoon. I waited for snow. The walking
was mostly along a, mercifully, flat path, high above a grey sea.
Needless to say the return trip did not reveal the promised views. The
path became muddy, the rain drops beat endlessly on my new hat. A very
wet bedraggled bunch of Trail Clubbers eventually arrived back at the
parking opposite Chappies Hotel. Here some unashamedly changed into dry
clothes while others, not so foresighted, wrapped themselves in old car
mats to drive home. Another adventure successfully carried out by the
Trails Club, Tommy, it seems that you and I are fated never to reach
the Peak together! Thanks from all who shared this adventure with you!
Ed. Peter, your literary expertise is definitely
coming to the fore - congratulations! We eagerly await more articles in
following Newsletters).
To the top
SOME SOCIAL EVENTS
 News from our Social
Secretary, Denise Hopkins
SLIDE SHOW AT THE PLANETARIUM - 30 APRIL
14 of us turned up to see the slides on the Karakoram Mountains in
Pakistan. It's just as well we weren't more as there wasn't s spare
seat available! The magnificent slides were deserving of a full house.
One was glad to be an armchair traveller to this far outpost, merely
observing the exquisite scenery and not having to participate in this
strenuous hike, which involved a lot of climbing and time in the snow.
We compared notes over drinks at a local hotel afterwards.
Unusual sightings - Derryk '"Kortbroek" Archer in long pants
To the top
 IMAX
WATERFRONT - 23 MAY
We traveled a lot further than originally intended on this wet winter's
evening, as despite sworn affidavits from the IMAX that Kilimanjaro
would still be on at the designated date and time, it wasn't. Luckily
for me, the grapevine seems to work and 9 techno boffs eagerly turned
up to see the Space Station. We had a fantastic trip, all at a fraction
of the price Mark Shuttleworth had to pay. It was so real we could have
been there - the take off, the trip, the sights, and the learning
curve. Ladies, if you ever have the occasion to go out into space be
careful what hairstyle you choose. Slick and short is best, believe me,
unless you want your weightless hair to fill every last corner of the
shuttle. Talk about 'big hair!'. And then onto Ferrymans for a drink
and to say goodbye to Fritz Strempel who is presently traveling in
Europe, visiting family.
Unusual sightings - Jenny Linford - anyone remember her? Haven't seen
Jenny for years!
To the top
MID-WINTER DINNER AT
BARRISTER'S RESTAURANT - 21 JUNE
 Was that mid-Winter or mid-Summer? What a hot
and balmy evening! 19 of us gathered around a very long table for
superb food, drinks and non-stop chatter. Musical chairs kept the
conversation going. Everyone agreed that it was a 'Iekker ' evening - a
great success!
Unusual sightings - Deryck Archer in long pants again (the same ones I
saw him in the last time, it's probably the only pair he has) and Geoff
Barton looking almost unrecognisable in a posh blazer.
If you have anything to contribute
to the newsletter,
please email our editor.
James would love to hear from you.
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