We arrived on the farm Sitruspoort (20 km outside Swellendam) on Friday afternoon and set up camp below the towering Langeberg.
The group: Ed Shuttleworth, farm dog (she hiked with us the whole day and limped along on Sunday!), Tony Bowen, Greg Devine, Evie Bowen, Jacolise Joubert, Cheryl Devine, Maretha Alant and Clive Louw.
Saturday morning we hiked along a jeep track and eventually along a footpath into the mountains. The distance we covered to a disused hut in the mountains was 10.22 km with an elevation gain of 573m. On the way back – 294 m and distance 10.22 km. Thanks to Ed for the stats.
Ed, Clive and Jacolise bundu bashed the last 500 m to the very overgrown hut. The rest had lunch next to a stream before hiking back.
The hike took about 8 hours and 30 mins. We ended the day with a swim in the dam.
Evie demonstrates a novel way of getting through a wired farm gate
The weather was perfect and the views magnificent. Some pictures to give an idea of the hike.
Pristine fynbos and flowering proteas
On Sunday we hiked to cell phone towers on the farm.
Out: 2.72 km . Lowest point 200 m, highest 437 m.
Back: 3.36 km (with a bundu bash along the river).
A very relaxing weekend in the mountains! Thanks to all who joined.
Karin van Niekerk – meet leader