(This report is a compilation of 4 sub-reports. Editor ~ Tony Bowen)
Part 1: report by Evie Bowen
After years of requests for a repeat of the Herold Wines farm meet, which has been convened several times previously, it was finally arranged for this weekend in September 2023. However, the plan this time was for a different guise from former meets at the Herold Wines farm. This time, instead of trekking up from NMMU campus on day one and then down to Witfontein on day two, Tony and I would offer a varied adventure weekend based on the wine farm.
We booked all 4 cottages on the farm for both Friday and Saturday nights and were kindly given permission by Maureen and Nico Fourie (the farm owners) to allow camping as well.
We then suggested a variety of possible hikes from this base, so that there would be “something for everyone”. Tony would lead some demanding hikes he had recently explored, while I would lead some easier options, and we also called on others to lead hikes as well. This model of multi-leader flexibility was inherited from our early days in MCSA “Transvaal Section”, where it was the norm.
Unfortunately, closer to the date I realized that my injuries would dictate that I adopt a “Go-Slow”, but luckily, Gary, Janet and Karin stepped up to assist Tony with leading hikes. In the end we were able to offer hikes for the “Toughies”, hikes for the “In-betweeners”, and hikes for the “Meanderers”!
Besides the hikes, the social highlights of the weekend were a communal braai on Friday night, to be followed by wine tasting and a dinner on Saturday night in the wine cellar.
For the braai we were able to use the stoep of one of the farm’s function rooms.
We had a delightful evening around the braai with a delectable array of “bring-and-share” snacks and salads provided by the participants.
Christo, one of our campers, had agreed to prepare and braai fresh Roosterkoek. Sadly, he and Henrietha had various delays to their arrival. However, Christo baked his koek on the braai, it was avidly consumed on the next day’s hike.
The dinner was the social highlight. Maureen set out a long table for 20 of us in the cozy wine cellar. Nico presented whites and reds made on the farm and entertained us all with anecdotes. What a choice of superb wines were on offer. Then we were served our 3-course meal. Piping hot dishes served ever so calmly by Nico, our chef Maureen and Nico’s mother. A dinner of delicious food and tastes. Needless to say, the tipsy tart to end the meal was very tipsy. Much hilarious conversation ensued among our group – all dressed of course in their smartest hiking gear.
All in all ,it was a wonderful fun filled weekend in the mountains. The weather was almost perfect. The hikes were all mountain hikes in a beautiful part of the Outeniqua Mountains. Thank you to all who participated. I would like especially to thank all the single ladies who agreed to share the cozy single-bed, bedrooms. I am glad they did not arrive with their cats.
Part 2: report by Gary Cundill
Friday: Recce the route
The first feet on the ground that weekend were those of Karin, Janet, Sandy and Gary as we walked across the farm to make sure that we would be able to pick up the trail to Flanagan’s Rock in the morning without any unnecessary bushwacking. This proved to be surprisingly easy, as the passage of many MUT feet had left a well-broken-in route to follow from the dam wall. We circled around the adjacent koppie and walked back past the pump station, heading for the comfort of the cottages, and looking forward to the braai.
Saturday – Hastings Peak via Flanagan’s Rock
(L to R): Gonny Houtsma, Irmela Kohlsdorf, Evie Bowen, Clifton Donald, Janet Moore, Sandy Cundill, Mia Donald, Alex De La Rouviere, Jeremy Lister, Peter Pyke, Karin van Niekerk, and Gary Cundill (photographer).
After wishing the early starters on the Cradock Peak hike good luck, the rest of us gathered at the farm gate for a group photo. Annalet Donald had to stay behind for some online work.
Janet’s hope of a 07h30 start had been outvoted the previous evening, so 08h00 saw the group head out together in the direction of Flanagan’s rock, as clouds started spilling over the Outeniquas from the south.
Karin, Alex, Gonny, Irmela and Evie soon held back while the rest of us crossed over the dam wall and headed into the grey-out. On reaching Flanagan’s Rock the clouds began to thin.
There we settled for a few minutes to enjoy the views that were rapidly opening all around us. We then continued along the trail path towards Montagu Pass.
Some slaughtering of hakeas took place on the route, in between admiring the natural flowers that became more diverse the closer we came to Montagu Pass.
On reaching the Cradock pass route we turned left along the line of some of the best constructed cairns to be found in these hills.
Lunch was enjoyed at the neck, but no views to the south due to the cloud cover over George. Post-prandial sloth then set in, so that it was only Sandy who ventured up the path to the top of Hastings Peak.
Back down the pass to North Station we went, where Jeremy found a night adder making its way through the parking area – another indication of spring having arrived.
A stroll along the Montagu Pass followed, and we turned in through one of SAB Miller’s hops farms before reaching the comforts of Herold Wine Farm.
Sunday: Losberg
07h45 saw the Alternatives in vehicles and it was off to the quarry at the summit of Montagu Pass. Karin led a time-constrained sub-party while Clifton, Annalet (released for the day from her teaching responsibilities), Mia, Peter, Janet, and Gary, joined by Pierre and Som for the day.
We tramped along the Pass-to-Pass route, made easier than usual by it being properly dry.
By the time we reached the turnoff to Losberg the promised gusting north-westerly had arrived, but beautiful sunshine made the going pleasant.
Morning tea was enjoyed next to the Losberg beacon, before returning the same way to the vehicles after some aerobic slogging up the path out of the valley.
Part 3: report by Karin van Niekerk
There was something for everyone over the Herold adventure weekend! To keep the balance, we did shorter hikes.
Saturday : Flanagan’s Rock
Alex De La Rouviere, Irmela Kohlsdorf, Gonny Houtsma, Evie Bowen and Karin van Niekerk (hike leader) set off with Gary’s group up the farm track towards the SA Breweries dam but maintained a leisurely pace. At the dam wall, we could see heavy cloud spilling over crest from the south.
We continued up the path to Flanagan’s Rock. We had a misty arrival. However, the views in all directions were soon beautiful, much to everyone’s delight.
On the south side, the cloud maintained a dense layer, while the views to the north and west were superb. After some of us had a bracing swim, we were back at the cottages for lunch, to enjoy the peace of the farm, which is nestled in an isolated Outeniqua Mountains valley.
Sunday : Power train
Jeremy Lister joined Alex, Irmela and Karin for this one.
We followed the other groups by car to the top of the Montagu Pass. Then our party continued hiking down the pass but soon stepped up onto the track of the Power Train.
Part 4: report by Tony Bowen
Saturday – Cradock Peak Circuit West to East
Starting at the top of Montagu Pass, the route ascends the trail path to Cradock Pass nek. From there the route is a scramble upwards through rock bands to the ridge. It then goes eastwards until the “Chasm” (officially the top of Tierkloof, a little know name). After descending on the south side to the nek, the route follows a long slope ending above the normal trail path to Cradock Peak from the south. This ends at Cradock Peak. That’s a third of the hike distance but takes half the time. The route then goes down steeply on the east of Cradock Peak, descending a ridge via Skurwekop, the Kransberg nek, “Heartbreak Hill”, and topping out just below “Flanagan’s Rock”. The route continues back to the top of Montagu Pass. However, on this meet, the party returned to Herold Wines.
(L to R) Christo Engels, Erica Davies, Santie De Villiers, Janine Smith, Dave van Wyk, Henrietha Mey, Etienne De Villiers, Tony Bowen (hike leader).
It was with some trepidation but lots of excitement that the party set off at sunrise. The goal was to complete the hike safely in 10 hours.
The weather on the ridge and north of the mountain was on our side the whole day. South of the mountain remained enveloped in thick cloud all day.
Below: We ascended from Cradock Nek to the base of the rock bands in quick time. Looking westwards with Hastings Peak in the foreground, Keurkop on the right, and Kapp se Bakenpiek in the distance.
The scramble route through the rock bands needs careful route finding.
“What??? Up there???”
But after every rock band comes a welcome ledge
After gaining the ridge, the world below us is unbelievable beautiful.
Above Chasm. Time for a cuppa tea.
We descend sharply to the right (red), then up the obvious line on the far side (yellow).
Note: the red route down Chasm is potentially dangerous as one is tempted to move to the left.
After descending a steep gully towards our right, we landed (thankfully fully feet first) in a dense tree fern forest below the cliffs. We then moved carefully through the ferns ensuring we caused no damage to this precious population.
There is no safe grade 3 scramble route directly down to the Chasm.
Ascending the other side of Chasm
We emerge above the Cradock Peak trail path and continue to the peak.
Getting to Cradock Peak is part 1. Part 2 is descending a steep bushy slope on the east side, eventually picking up the Skurwekop ridge far below. Here we met trail runners doing the “6 Peak Challenge”. Due to its popularity, a path is being worn, making the going somewhat easier.
Skurwekop
Heartbreak Hill stream crossing
We ended the hike 10 minutes ahead of schedule, in time for a shower and in high spirits to enjoy the wine tasting and dinner in the cellar.
Sunday – Keurkop
We started at the quarry on the crest of Montagu Pass and approached Keurkop from the south- east. There is one grade 3 move towards the top.
(L to R) Erica Davies, Etienne de Villiers, Santie De Villiers, Henrietha Mey, Christo Engels. Photo by Tony Bowen (hike leader).
The original beacon
The trig beacon
We descended a gully on the north side between the two peaks and approached the Keurkop Cave from the west.
Santie pointing out Cradock Peak
Fresh Heuningbos tea in the making
And so, another perfect day in the mountains was concluded.
Thanks to everyone joining these two hikes for being model participants, with a high regard for group safety.
And thanks to the others joining this adventure weekend, including our guest members. And especial thanks to Maureen and Nico for hosting us on their beautiful farm “Herold Wines.”
Meet Leader ~ Tony Bowen