A large contingent of South Cape members and guests assembled during the Friday afternoon and installed themselves in various corners of the Kromrivier property. The majority occupied the campsite, but some others opted for a chalet and others for the permanent tents.
We expected a team of 19 but one couple had car issues on the way so in the end we were 17.
On the Friday night due to the strong winds at the campsite everyone assembled at one of the chalets where we all enjoyed an indoor braai.
Friday evening
L-R : Jannice and Tim Wilmot (guests),
Greg Devine, Nelia Parmaklieva, Cheryl Devine, Dennis Lange, Stuart Neill, Wikus de Beer, Claudine Bennetts, Kenneth Willemse, Gillian Forbes, Bruce Arnett, Lisa Mulligan, Ed Kay-Shuttleworth (Leader) and Mimi Kay-Shuttleworth.
Penny Ludwig (guest) was present but not in the pic.
The weather forecast for the weekend had been slowly improving during the week, but nevertheless as Saturday dawned there was an unsettled feel in the air. Eight of our group opted to hike to The Pup by way of the Maltese Cross.
Maltese Cross / The Pup group of 8
L-R back row: Ed Kay-Shuttleworth (Leader), Penny Ludwig, Greg Devine,
Nelia Parmaklieva, Gillian Forbes, Dennis Lange and front row: Mimi Kay-Shuttleworth andCheryl Devine
(Photo credit: Penny Ludwig)
On the way up to the Maltese Cross the group fragmented according to the different paces of the members. The lead group coincided its arrival at the Cross at exactly the moment one of our other members arrived there having completed a 14kms run down the Kromrivier valley. The weather by now was looking the worse for wear with mist enveloping the mountain tops. Some debate ensued amongst the assembled hikers (now 6 in number) as to the merits of continuing higher. Eventually we all set off towards The Pup which is approached from the far side. On the way there half the group decided enough was enough and turned back whilst three continued and successfully reached a misty and very cold summit.
On the Sunday the sun was shining, and the weather had cleared although there was a chilly breeze.
Two brave (I use this description generously) members decided to mount a “forlorn hope” assault
across the Breekrans valley in search of a potential ascent up the “Breeke” and ultimately a path to
Frustration peak. All went well until we reached the Bakmakersfontein ruins. In the belief that the
inhabitants must have had a path down to the river we set off down a promising looking gully – this
proved to be misguided, and we turned about at the moment we decided the risk was starting to
outweigh the reward. We retraced our steps to another promising looking gully and here we had more
success. This would have enabled us to cross the river had we wanted to but by now the realisation
was sinking in that our target peak did not earn its name without due reason and better to tackle this
on another day from another angle.
Whilst we were exploring the Breekrans valley another group had taken itself to Truitjieskraal where
they spent the day opening some new climbing routes.
Whilst all this was going on other members were cycling and / or exploring the formations around
Lot’s wife and the art in the Stadsaal caves area.
“Forlorn hope” gully 1 = inhospitable
“Forlorn hope” gully 2 = almost welcoming
After a final group braai in the chalets on the Sunday evening it was time to pack away our memories and leave the glories of the Cederberg until our next visit.
Meet Leader ~ Ed Kay-Shuttleworth