Exploring the Koue-Bokkeveld
The Koue-Bokkeveld is the name for a mountain range that should be familiar to those who journey to the Cederberg. Always there but slightly beyond reach! Eight South Cape members assembled at the mountain’s base last Tuesday afternoon as it was time to make our acquaintance with this ranges star attraction – Turret Peak.
We were very kindly invited to stay at another section members farm where we spent the evening gathered around a fire discussing the next mornings campaign. An early start was recommended as temperatures were forecast to be unforgiving, and first prize would go to those who reached the campsite atop the mountain by lunchtime. In the end it was decided the group would split with the slower advance party of six departing the farmhouse at 06h00 to be followed by a smaller chasing group of three at 08h00.
By 06h45 the first group’s cars were parked and six of us were on our way with eyes lifted towards the horizon above. The first hour and a half was a comfortable climb along a fairly distinctive trail with only a small hiccough when we momentarily lost the faint path whilst ascending beside a waterfall.
A nice easy ascent towards the waterfall to begin
Breakfast was taken by the pools at the top of this waterfall and from our vantage point we looked back and down upon the first stage of our venture. No one took the plunge into the pools at this stage, and we were soon embarking on the second phase of our climb.
The leading group approaching the waterfall
It was here that the mountain started to reveal its defences – vegetation in the form of fairly robust Protea bushes obstructed our trajectory as we angled upwards towards a rocky outcrop. By the time we reached this outcrop our leading group had shrunk in size from six to four and we rested to gather our strength for the final onslaught which lay just around the corner. We caught sight here of the chasing group of three below us who had taken a different line up a parallel kloof and with whom we were finally united with at the top. The Proteas were gone by now to be replaced by low reedy vegetation which covered the rocky slope and concealed large holes big enough to swallow us – this steeply angled kloof was quite a minefield to navigate seemingly forever upwards. As we were to discover two days later it was much more user friendly to climb though than it was to descend!
Once the climb was complete, we united with the others and the seven of us headed to the campsite where we took cover form the heat, topped up out water bottles and had some lunch.
Our campsite amongst the boulders beneath Hanging rock
Suckers for punishment that we were, we then set off to conquer the summit which was about another kilometre away. There are many ways to thread one’s way through the rocky maze that personifies the final bastion that is the “Turret” peak. After nearly an hour and a half of scrambling up and over rocks and by-passing man-eating holes we all finally reached our goal and were atop the summit with 360-degree views stretching in all directions. The “Turret” had defended itself admirably but wasn’t going to release its vanquishers without a struggle and so we found the escape from its clutches, by no means an easy feat. Nevertheless, we were down in sufficient time to erect our camp and enjoy the last rays of the evening sun.
Group at summit
L-R: Dennis Lange, Gillian Forbes, Bruce Arnett,
Kenneth Willemse, Ed Kay-Shuttleworth
(Leader) Noemi Kay-Shuttleworth (out of view)
and Ferdinand du Plessis (photographer)
Mushroom rock
View from cave towards Hanging rock
The following day was one of exploring our surrounds. First stop was what is known as the Mushroom rock next to our camp. Six of us climbed its lower slopes to a point where the risk of advancement outweighed the reward. One determined soul persevered and somehow managed to attain the top. On the way down we stopped off at the cave which was later in the day to become home to half our group who sought refuge from the Koue wind!
The group then split again with two heading off explore to the South of the campsite and the other four heading to the North. Spectacular rock formations were around every corner.
Tafelberg of Cederberg fame beckons on the skyline
The final morning saw us packed up by 0800. After a swim in the pools on the way down we descended from there by way of a jeep track which saw us reach the cars before mid-day and on our way to the Cederberg which awaited our arrival.
Meet Leader ~ Ed Kay-Shuttleworth