Many of us have been eyeing this area for exploration for quite some time. There area offers many revamped cottages and houses from yesteryear for accommodation, but no group facility. Then I discovered the camping site and started planning the meet. Ultimately we were 12 people in the group:
Derek and Jacomi Odendaal, Greg and Cheryl Devine, Tony and Evie Bowen, Charles and Lindsay Smith,
Maretha Alant, Karin van Niekerk, Clive Louw and Gillian Forbes.
We gathered on the Friday afternoon and drove into the camp. The facilities are basic (no electricity), but the ablutions are good and we had good shade for our tents. It is on the bank of the Gamka River, with a long and wide stretch of water just behind a thicket. We had plenty of firewood and every night there was a sociable gathering around the campfire/braai area.
On Saterday we walked their 4X4 route in the foothills of the Swartberg. We enjoyed great views of the mountains and the meandering Gamka River. I was hoping to do a longer route, but some of the neighbouring farms with their high game fences are out of bounds.
On Sunday we drove a few kilometers to the entrance of the Gamka poort. This is one of the poorts that cuts
right through the Swartberg. It goes up to The Hell (Gamkaskloof) area and then further north to the Gamkapoort
Dam. We didn’t know how far we could walk up this poort, and it proved to be quite a rough hike. The first part
is easy going, but then the long stretches of water force you to walk on the slopes. We followed an old route that
the people from Gamkaskloof used to walk to Calitzdorp. We really admired those hardy people! We did not get
very far, but it is a spectacular gorge with impressive cliffs and natural beauty.
On Monday we drove out of camp again to hike the Steering Kloof route, a well laid-out loop trail on the slopes of the Swartberg. It is quite a rewarding hike with great views. Some left the route and went further up the mountain for a great view into the Gamka River gorge.
Derek and Clive were the only two brave mountaineers to take on a two-day hike, also starting on the Steering Kloof trail, then going much higher up the slopes and traversing to the east. The uncertain water situation on the slopes made this hike a bit of a gamble. But we found water in the 9th gully we went through, and spent the night on a high ridge with a lovely full moon rising.
On Tuesday it was either walking back, exploring a bit more, lazing around, taking photos and then packing up. It was a great weekend in the Swartberg with good weather, good company and exploring some new ground. I think we’ll be back.
Derek Odendaal – meet leader