21 January 2024
Leader: Libby Arnold
Hikers: Jaenette & Jean Lombard, Helen Faure, Carol Storey, Rod Arnold
Photos: Libby, Jaenette and Carol
8km hike from Cecilia forest, up Cecilia Ridge to a cave on Nursery Buttress, a new hike for TCSA. Fortunately, the hot temperatures had dropped and the 6 capable and cheerful hikers made good time clambering steeply up Cecilia Ridge and onto the back table, and approached the top of Nursery Buttress from the Skeleton Gorge side of Castle Rocks. We relaxed for lunch in the large shady Nursery Cave, with a great view over Kirstenbosch and beyond, with Fernwood Peak and cliffs looming in front of us. Everything was hunkey dory, descending via Nursery Ravine, until Rod injured his ankle and needed a bit of first aid. Nursery Ravine has a lot of steep steps and with assistance, one painful step at a time, he bravely made it to the bottom and we took a short cut to Kirstenbosch. Thanks to the group for their patience, assistance and good humour during the very slow descent, and for making it an enjoyable hike.
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Jaenette, Jean, Helen and Carol on Nursery Buttress, Skeleton Gorge behind.
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A bit of fun scrambling inside Nursery Buttress Cave
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View from Nursery Buttress of the top of Skeleton Gorge.
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L to R Jaenette, Jean, Helen, Libby and Rod in Nursery Cave.
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L to R Carol, Jean, Helen, Libby and Rod.
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Libby entering a crawl through on one side of the buttress…
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Jean entering a crawl through on one side of the buttress…
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Rod entering a crawl through on one side of the buttress…
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Jaenette exiting on the other side in a blaze of glory!
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Rod exiting on the other side in a blaze of glory!
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Libby exiting on the other side in a blaze of glory!
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Crassula coccinea
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The group about to descend
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Watsonia tabularis (?)
