This beautiful farm, owned by Du Toit Bros, lies in the Langkloof nestled in the valley of the Meulrivier. The farm produces apples, pears, and plums. It hosts a campsite, lapa and ablutions situated amongst the orchards. For those that like home comforts, the historical cottage aptly named Die Ou Meul may be booked. The campsite is an ideal base from which to access several notable peaks in the Outeniquas situated on this and neighbouring farms. Permission was kindly granted by three landowners for this meet. Also noteworthy is that these peaks form the northern boundary markers for the Garden Route National Park.
The weekend began on Friday afternoon when 12 campers set up their tents at the campsite. There is ample level grass, and 8 tents were easily accommodated. The lapa has a section with a roof and another zone with a huge open fireplace. It was well protected from the south-easterly breeze.
Having set up camp, we spent an hour hacking young wattles along a stream currently being rehabilitated with indigenous plants and trees.
A beautiful evening then followed around the campfire at the lapa. After toasting marshmallows and looking at the new moon, we retired to our tents.
L-R: The Stormberg hiking party on Saturday morning: Tony Bowen, Stuart Neill, Evie Bowen, Janine Smith, Kiara Griffiths (guest) , Gillian Forbes, Dennis Lange, Cheryl Divine, Joy Coleman (guest), Charles Smith, Nelia Neill, Greg Devine.
At 8 am we set off along the planned route to Stormberg. There was high cloud, but all the mountain tops were in the clear. The route follows in reverse a section of the original Outeniqua Hiking Trail between the Langberg Hut and the Windmuelnek Hut. The official trail has long since been re-positioned in the valleys further south, and there is no longer any sign of the Langberg hut. Surprisingly, the remnants of the original trail are still largely visible.
After enjoying the “knife-edge ridge” leading to Stormberg, we summited the peak still well below the high cloud cover, obtaining magnificent views of the Klein Karoo towards the Kamanasie range in the north and the coastline in the south.
However, ominous low clouds were approaching so we did not dwell on the peak for long. Within minutes the peaks and entire valley were enveloped in heavy mist. We returned to base camp the same way.
That evening another 4 club members joined us to camp for Saturday night (Ed and Mimi Kay-Shuttleworth and Dave and Margi Barnes). Another roaring campfire was made, and it was wonderful to see 16 enthusiastic mountaineers enjoying the comradery of being together and camping in the mountains.
On Sunday a bright day dawned, and we were joined by yet another two members for the day (Pierre and Som Kruise). The group then divided into two “peak bagging” parties, while some members elected to explore the orchards and lower slopes instead of the peaks. The hikers drove vehicles up the jeep track to the nek, from where one party attacked the eastern ridge route to Hoёberg, while the other party scaled the peak to its east.
The route to Hoёberg followed the eastern ridge. This is off-path and bushy in places, interspersed with pleasing rock ridges.
The summit party on Hoёberg 1423m: Tony Bowen, Kiara Griffiths, Dennis Lange & Janine Smith
Meanwhile the 7 climbers who had opted to scale “the unnamed peak”, identified to us only by the map reference of its trig beacon 3322-56, reached the top after a short scramble.
L-R: Stuart Neil, Gillian Forbes, Som and Pierre Kruse, Nelia Neil, Mimi Kay-Shuttleworth and Ed Kay-Shuttleworth.
From here, looking west gave superb views of Hoёberg and Stormberg, with the Meulrivier farm in the valley below.
Red:Stormberg hike;
Green: Hoёberg hike;
Blue: Unnamed peak with beacon 3322 56
After bidding farewell to Gert and Martha Joubert (Farm Manager), we set off on the homeward journey in the late afternoon.
Many thanks to the mountaineers that joined us and especially to the farmers who granted us access permission.
Meet Leader ~ Tony Bowen