A (Mad?) Hatters last minute summer hiking party to the Groot-Winterhoek Nature Reserve

Disclaimer: the story recorded hereunder could be loosely based on real events but could also be fictional. Any resemblance to persons or events could be entirely coincidental and the author cannot be held responsible for the reader’s presumptions.

It’s oft been said that “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”.

For a clue as to how this last-minute plan could not conceivably have gone awry, please consider the timeline illustrated below.


BUT THEN………

(As we all know when one dives down a rabbit hole – time and reason don’t always follow or align as they should!)


By 4pm on the Friday check-in was complete and the short 3km walk to Disa Pool commenced. Plenty of water and flat ground at the camping area ensured some rest for the “Hats”.

A noticeable temperature drop overnight and the following morning dawned misty and cool – exactly as Dr.YO.NO had predicted. The three “Hats” proceeded in comfort through the rocky scenery to Groot Kliphuis where the advice had been to follow the river path to Perdevlei campsite rather than the overgrown jeep track.

Following this advice, they made good time and arrived at Perdevlei camp in the early afternoon. The Oak trees here provided shade from the sun which was now starting to regain its dominance. Several forays were made to the river for water collection and there was evidence here of substantial vegetation growth in the intervening five years since the last visit.

Under the Oaks – Perdevlei camp

Unfortunately, one of the “Hat’s” packs was heavier than it should have been and had taken its toll on its bearer. It was decided that the other two “Hats” would attempt the peak the following morning, on their own, leaving the third to rest and recuperate at the camp.

Bugles sounded at 04h30 and the march began by 05h05.

Five years previously the first 45 mins of ascent towards the Groot-Winterhoek peak had not presented any memorable obstacle. Five years of unabated Bundu growth and it was a different matter entirely and took the wind out of the two “Hats” sails and souls. After 90 mins of swimming against the tide the camp was still in sight behind them (about 1 km distant) and the peak a long slog ahead. At the same time the first rays of sun hit the slopes bringing the realisation that temperatures were not going to be friendly. The early morning climb had been so ghastly that an alternative route back to camp was spied only to prove equally if not more devastating. After four hours of Bundu bashing the two “Hats” returned to Perdevlei with little to show other than a 4 kms snail trail on Google maps.

A plan was hatched to head back to the Reserve office meeting up along the way at an agreed point as the third ”Hat” was to set off before the other two, who still had to pack after their early morning mountain meander. They eventually set off shortly after 1030 and were surprised not to encounter “Hat” no 3 along the trail. Several lovely swimming spots were passed, and the agreed meeting point was reached without trace of the third member. The two others continued, covering 17 kms before reaching the Reserve office where it became apparent that no 3 was not there.


5* swimming spot along the trail to the Reserve office

The Reserve staff were somewhat perturbed that the initial group of three had now become two but insisted that the two could not camp near the office and await their colleague, escorting them out through the entrance gate 5 kms away, as by this time in the evening it had been locked. As the two drove down the Dasklip pass towards Porterville, regaining telephonic signal along the way, a message came through from no 3 that he was safe and secure at Disa pool camp.

This message was relayed by phone to the Reserve staff who were assured there was no need to mount a Search and Rescue mission. It subsequently transpired that no 3 had been unable to find the trail at a critical junction and had deviated from the plan taking another route back to Disa Pool where he had camped.

And so, after an eventful weekend, the three “Hats” emerged from the rabbit hole of the Groot-Winterhoek Reserve albeit at different times and not quite as had been envisaged.

Nevertheless, the weekend was a pleasure for all three to be reacquainted with this wild corner of the Western Cape and as the Bard himself would say – “All’s well that ends well!”

Meet Leader ~ Ed Kay-Shuttleworth