One delightful sunny but crisp winter morning with a very slight south westerly, we started the meet with a chat and a laugh around 08h00 on the crescent of the Outeniqua pass at the white and red telecoms tower knows as sputnik, with the skyline ridge seen in the background…
The hikers who took it upon themselves to walk the ridgeline consisted of 8 mountain club members; from left to right on the picture; Nelia Neill, Ed Kay-Shuttleworth, Cheryl Devine, Mimi Kay-Shuttleworth, Greg Devine, Gillian Forbes and Stuart Neill, as well as Charl du Plooy (meet leader), taking the photo.
Personally the previous time I have hiked the route was before the fires, now the area are more accessible with much less lush vegetation and the paths of the route are well trekked, there are however less plants to grab onto especially coming down the muddy slopes. It is very nice to see the regeneration of the different plants across the mountain slopes, again giving the Outeniqua mountains the soft green appearance we all adore so much.
We set out and took a straight line up the mountain behind the telecoms tower, in the photo below Vensterberg is visible at the back.
The lower path of the loop on the southern slopes of the mountain are visible below as we quickly gained height up the slopes.
A beautiful view of the southern slopes of the ridgeline with Cradock peak in the back.
Pathway leading to the top of the ridge.
Arriving at the top we took in the spectacular views as we regained breath, before setting out in an easterly direction along the ridge.
Cradock peak as seen from the top of the ridge.
After a quick rest we followed along the ridgeline of the mountain towards an easterly direction. Unlike what it looks like from the parking lot, there are many ups and downs along this ridge, and it is the adventurous part of the loop. At the top of the ridge there might be some climbing necessary…
Along the ridge we followed careful not to go too close to the edge.
There are many views, much to see, near and afar, many photographs, and as usual none of which really justify what is seen being there experiencing a mountain wilderness. Going past a beautiful specimen of an Oldenburgia commonly found around these mountain tops.
As we arrived near the base of the section to be climbed the group split into two; three went around the back quickly stopping by the cave. I, Gillian and Stewart climbed to the top followed by Greg and Cheryl. At the top by the beacon we regrouped and took a lunchbreak.
The view with rolling mountains in a westerly direction looking back towards where we came from.
A view of George’s agricultural area beyond Vensterberg and Mosselbay in the very far.
Lunchtime passed and we proceeded to finish the last section of the ridgeline before the descend began, here one can see the steep drop-off towards both sides of the mountain.
At the end of the ridgeline we proceeded to descend the mountain with a well-co-ordinated balancing act of controlled to uncontrolled mud slipping and sliding. The area received good rains this winter.
The first section of the hike was complete as we arrived at the Montagu pass. With little rest we continued the loop back in a westerly direction towards the sputnik, descending further down into the valleys of the southern slopes of the mountain.
The lower slopes have a beauty of its own with its lush growth, spectacular flower displays and icy mountain streams. The lower southern slopes had a high humidity and combined with the south westerly which began to pick up it turned out to be a bit of a juggle between wearing a jacket and wanting to take it off.
Here, on the lower southern slopes, it can also be noted that the area received some good rains during the winter…
As we started our ascend out of the last valley the clouds started to roll in and cover the mountain tops which had good views just a hour ago, and the last muddy bend or two of the day had a couple of drops to add, but nothing serious.
It turned out to be a successful hike, thanks to the party, it is a route recommended and to be revisited.
Meet Leader ~ Charl du Plooy