There are not many places these days where you can explore an absolute pristine environment and see no traces that other human beings have been there. Buffelskloof is such a place. It is the mother of all Swartberg kloofs (not including the poorts). It cuts deep into the Swartberg near Ladismith for about 5 km, separating Towerkop and Elandsberg. From the bottom of the kloof, Towerkop and Elandsberg tower more than 1400 metres above it. Now that is a deep kloof!
Fifteen members attended the meet, of which four were from the EP section: Derek and Jacomi Odendaal, Greg and Cheryl Devine, Clive Louw, Maretha Alant, Charles Smith, Johan Huisamen, Janine Smith, Ed Shuttleworth and Gillian Forbes. EP section: Derek Marshall, Terrence Travaskis, Ruban Snyman, Dale Gathercole.
Not on the photo: Greg and Cheryl; Derek Marshall
We spent the Friday night at the nearby Towerkraaltjie camping terrain and left early on Saturday morning to get an early start. From the parking spot (the same as for Towerkop), we hiked (and bushwacked and waded) into the kloof with our full packs for about 2 km. Reaching the big camping spot, we left our packs there and continued with day packs and dry bags, also prepared for the obstacles the kloof might present. The EP section climbers went their own way, scrambling up the western slope to do some bouldering and to climb a pinnacle. It was a cloudless day, and although not too hot, the sun was quite fierce.
The kloof is rough from the start, and you basically walk in water all the way (on slippery rocks and over boulders). We expected a few swims, but the deepest pool was about chest deep. The going was very slow at about 1 km per hour. The scenery was spectacular. In places the kloof is narrow, with rock walls rising over 150 meters. Other parts are more open, with overhanging rock walls higher up, thick bush and some glimpses of the high peaks. One can never see Towerkop or Elandberg – you are just too deep inside the mountain.
After about 3-and-a-half hours going up the kloof, it was clear that we will not reach the Elandsberg fork. Considering the tiring terrain to return to the camping spot, we turned around. It was rather surprising that we did not get any insurmountable obstacle this far. I believe the Elandsberg fork can be reached, if you have enough time and young legs. From that point you will be able to have the most amazing view up to the huge Elandsberg hollow, rising more than 1000 meters almost straight up. We leave this challenge for another day and another group.
We were all glad to reach our camping spot in one piece and to rest our weary legs. The climbers also had a good day out and came down the slopes in good spirits. They also discovered some San paintings in two shelters up the slopes. Most of our group went up to the nearer shelter on Sunday morning to admire this fascinating art of the shamans. After that, we walked back to our cars, satisfied with the experience of this fantastic kloof.