From my chair: 33° 51’ 45.72”S 22° 28’ 08.76”E (elevation 687 m) These bright sunny days between fronts are perfect for spending time in the hills, and I trust that you’re all making use of the opportunities available to you in this stunningly beautiful part of the world. This link will take you to the [...]
From my chair: 33 degrees 15’ 26.06” S 22 degrees 02’44.78” E Greetings from the Swartberg, where we’ve just enjoyed a superb outing under Greg D’s leadership. Spoiler alert – when the meet report comes out, those of you who weren’t on the meet are likely to suffer pangs of envy as you look at [...]
From my chair: 33° 58’ 31.17”S 22° 35’ 44.89”E (elevation 151m) Dear all A great turnout at Thursday’s social, when we were regaled by Clive with images and tales of derring-do in the Andes (and why pasta isn’t useful at high altitudes), before enjoying a range of soups and accompaniments from the Ladybergers. October, as [...]
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 [...]
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 – [...]
The Groot-Winterhoek wilderness area, to the north of Tulbach, is well-known among serious hikers, while the large pool at “The Hell” is an iconic destination. But it took me many years to eventually get to this area and enjoy the delights of this special wilderness. At least three previous efforts to visit the area did [...]
The invasive alien tree Hakea sericea remains one of the greatest threats to the magnificent Klein Swartberg Mountains. As part of a bigger coordinated effort to control hakea in these mountains, MCSA members Gary Cundill, Hugh Sussen and I, together with Michael Moller, took on some hakeas on the Elandsberg Mountain above Ladismith. We began [...]
Eleven members joined me for a very relaxed and pleasant hike on a perfect winters day in paradise. The trail offers the very best that the lakes have to offer with stunning views and beautiful fynbos. We managed to get the whole way around the edge of Swartvlei without getting our feet wet and negotiated [...]
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 [...]
The Old Toll circuit in the Groot Swartberg starts at the old tollhouse and rises up to the crest of the Swartberg Pass before turning eastwards and rising up to a peak. It then heads down to the Die Hel road and back to the tollhouse. It is a pleasant route on a well-marked path [...]