This was our second winter hike in the Swartberg, starting from the Ou Tol near the top of the pass. This hike surpassed the first in a number of ways. It was easier to organise, there were no postponements, the weather was much better and the route itself was much more interesting.
Nine hardy souls lined up at the Ou Tol, heavily disguised as Arctic travellers, as it was a chilly start, but sunny and calm. In descending order of magnitude it was Greg and Cheryl Devine, Werner Frei, Sanet van Meersbergen, Bianke Fouche, Abdul-Lateef Ismail, Janine Smith, Andre du Plessis, Wickus de Beer, Lisa Mulligan and Gillian Forbes.
The path leads up to the top of the pass, crosses over the road and follows the well-marked path in an easterly direction. The path criss-crosses the main ridge of the mountain, rising all the time and giving great views over both Karoos.
The path leads to the Bothashoek Hut and thence beyond to either de Hoek down the south side or onward to Gouekrans Hut. There is also a jeep track running from the Bothashoek hut back to the Swartberg Pass. The Gouekrans leg is now closed and doing the de Rust leg is usually done as a two-day hike.
So the plan was to not go all the way to the Bothashoek Hut but to shortcut down to the jeep track and thence back to the cars. The open question was exactly where to cut down. At a certain point I was for cutting down but the others spotted a very alluring peak a couple of kms further. Seven people went on to the peak and summited while four of us decided on an earlier scramble down to the jeep track.
We all met up again on the jeep track for the long walk back. Jeep tracks can often be long trudges and this one was too for the last few kms. In retrospect I think it would be much better to return from the peak on the footpath, making it an out and back to the peak.
Watch this space for next winter.
Meet Leaders ~ Greg and Cheryl Devine