The group : Jude Cobern, Gillian Forbes, Linette Swart, Maretha Alant, Marina Botha, Saartjie van der Merwe, Dennis Lange. (Leader Karin van Niekerk – photographer)
Weather forecast for the hike was very hot temperatures and strong winds. We left early to have some cool hiking and finished by lunch time daily. The accommodation is good, cool farm houses and soft beds. The afternoons were spent with cold beers – reading, eating and napping. A well deserved rest after a hard hike. The total distance for the hike 64.5 km ( or 66.5km for those who did Tafelkop)
Day 1 : Boplaas to Grootdroom – we hiked 16.5 km through very rugged terrain. The Nuweveld mountains haven’t had good rain in the last six years and the veld is showing the drought. The scenery is spectacular through out the hike. The photos will show that it is a hike worth doing.
Boplaas to Grootdroom – hiking up a riverbed towards the plateau below Tafelkop
Day 2 : Grootdroom to Rietvlei – taking a break.
I reversed the route for day 2 and 3. Very strong winds were predicted on day 2 and the traverse below the organ pipes was much better on day 3 (no wind).
Day 2 was hot, very windy and beautiful views into the Nuweveld mountains.
Spectacular river beds. One can imagine a flashflood rushing down it.
Day 3 : Rietvlei to Grootdroom
Early morning – heading up towards the Organ pipes in the distance
Day 3 : Rietvlei to Grootdroom : Endless mountain views
Below organ pipes
Day 3 : Rietvlei to Grootdroom : Fantastic rock formations on a sometimes precarious path below Organ pipes.
Day 4 : Grootdroom to Boplaas : climbing out of the amphitheater.
The final day 12.7 km (or 14.7km for the hikers who went over Tafelkop).
Final scramble.
Meat Leader ~ Karin van Niekerk