The overnight hike from the Gamkaberg Reserve up to Oukraal through Tierkloof is superb. The kloof has high rock walls and is full of interesting plants, birds and other creatures. Only eight people are allowed per day and one is required to stay overnight in the basecamp the night before the hike. At the top of the mountain the old and rather exposed shelter has been upgraded and four ‘herders’ huts added. These have two beds each and are rustic but very comfortable. Water is available in roof-tanks and jerry cans. Eco-logs are available and an eco long-drop completes the facilities.
For some obscure reason, when booking, I gave the dates as 3 to 5 April instead of 4 to 6 as per the meets program. Meantime, we were all working on the 4 to 6 dates. A major panic erupted when an eagle-eyed Clive spotted the mistake. Luckily everyone, but sadly not Bianke, were able to change to the new dates.
The evening before we set out, our Fearless Chairman asked if I minded if he and Mrs FC drove up the jeep track and joined us at Oukraal. I answered that they were welcome, but might come in for some gentle ribbing for attending an MCSA hike in a Landcruiser. I suggested that taking up a cooler of beer would go some way to appeasing the hikers.
We set off early on hike-up day in order to try and beat the predicted temperature of 32C. The kloof is mostly shady and cool, but when it came to hiking up out of the kloof, a few people were adversely affected by the heat. Some folk had to have recourse to Rehidrate to be able to carry on in the heat up a long steep hill.
We all eventually arrived at the shelter to find that our dear chairman had not brought up a cooler of beer but a freezer full. Those beers went down singing hymns. That evening before supper time, Sandy laid on snacks. What a spread, thanks Sandy and Gary.
Our evening in the shelter was a bit disturbed by a multitude of rats emerging from every nook, cranny and gap in the stonework. Look I know that every cave and mountain hut harbours its own Wallace the cave woozle, but this was overboard. One even ran over someone’s bare foot, causing that someone to scream and jump up, which in turn led someone else to bang his head on the roof and spill some soup.
The next morning some folk decided to walk down the jeep track, thinking it would be easier, while only two went back down the kloof. The jeep track was probably a lot hotter and definitely higher, going over Bakenskop. At least we scored a summit to add to our TwentyPeaks Challenge. Everyone got down safely but hot and after a refreshing shower in the basecamp, we all went our ways.
The participants were Andre Brink, Clive and Sandy Louw, Karin van Niekerk, Sorita Vermeulen, Gary and Sandy Cundill and Greg and Chery Devine (Leaders).
Meet Leaders ~ Greg and Cheryl Devine