Nursery Ravine / De Villiers Dam Circuit – Sunday 13 July 2008
Sunday morning dawned clear and wind-free, but chilly, when we met at 9 a.m. at Cecilia Forest car park. Fifteen of us set off through the forest and onto the contour path, and too soon reached the start of Nursery Ravine. Up we went. And up. And up some more. After some woollies being shed and a lot of sweat being sweated, we reached the top and took a well-earned break.
We decided to do a round trip, which took in five dams on the back table. We stopped at Victoria Dam for a lunch break in perfect weather – sunny, warm and wind-free. After lunch we headed off on the jeep track in the direction of Constantia Neck and took a left-hand turn which brought us down through the forest, back to our cars. The day ended on a high note at the Forester’s Arms, where Laura was really on form with her jokes. A thoroughly good time was had by all.
Ian Pearce
Sutherland Weekend – 14th – 16th June 2008
Our group of 11 hikers was welcomed at the visitors information centre in Sutherland on Saturday the 14th June 08, by an icy cold wind. Here we spent approximately two hours on a very interesting guided tour which also included a visit to the research telescope and Salt. We then returned to Sutherland to have lunch at the hotel (only open place) where, whilst eating, we settled down to watch the Springboks playing Wales but were soon dragged away by some unfeeling drivers to continue on to Ezeljacht, our base camp, as we still had to walk the sunset hiking trail, of approximately 2 hours. On returning to base camp, which consisted of a room to the left and right of a very small kitchen, a hot water shower, (which only worked once the farmer came to visit us), plus a toilet at the back of the hut. Only the very brave had a shower and I’m not sure if any of us qualified! We were divided into left or right side of the hut which basically meant snorers to the left and non snorers to the right. Reluctantly I joined the snorers side of the hut due to no more space on the other side - space was at a premium in this hut “excuse me I need to pass, can you please move your backpack etc.” Later that evening, our amateur astronomer, Kechil, called us to look at the Corona (ring around the moon) which gradually got larger and larger- what a wonderful sight!
The next morning we set out, warmly dressed, to do a moderate hike of 13 km to our next hut. The dolomite rock formations on the route were stunning- maybe someone had packed these rocks one on top of the other while we were asleep. We also came across crystal clear pools, natural dams; dry river beds filled with fossil rocks, which had your imagination hard at work – what type of fish had swum in this river bed, not to mention the dinosaurs (quickly looking over my shoulder) roaming the land. We stopped for lunch at an oasis which just suddenly appeared - green grass next to a clear stream gently winding its way through the rock formations. There was never a dull moment – climbing to the top of rock outcrops, looking at beautiful succulents not seen before, squelching through muddy soil, seemingly never ending ups and downs, until to our delight as we summited a peak, we suddenly saw our second hut as well as all the back packs which the farmer had left on the other side of the river. The hut overlooked the river next to a forest of poplar trees - the sun was shining, the cold wind had left us in peace, what more did we want from life except perhaps a smoke-free sleeping area, which was not to be had after Professor R Johnson decided to carry out his fire making and fire lighting experiments in the fire place in the hut, of which there was no escape. The next morning we set out on the last 9 km of our trail to conquer the few ladders, bridges, tunnels, fantastic look-out points still to come on this journey. We also passed the unique mince meat rocks which just added up to make this a must for anyone who has not yet experienced the beauty and tranquillity of this trail.
Priscilla Journet
Details for SALT
Day tours include a guided walk through the Visitor Centre as well as a guided tour of selected research telescopes including SALT.
Monday to Friday: 10:30 and 14:30
Saturday: 11:30 and 14:30
Sunday: no tours
Tours must be booked through the SAAO, Sutherland during office hours from Monday to Friday, between 8h00 - 13h00 and 14h00 - 16h00.
Telephone: (023) 571-2436
Fax: (023) 571-1413
Day tours: R20.00 per person
Night Tours: R40.00 per person
Bookings for the Silhouette Trail
Postal address:
Rudolf & Sunette Steenkamp
P.O.Box 168
Sutherland
6920
Telephone numbers:
023 5712616
0832562688 (Cell phone)
Arangieskop Hiking Trail - 29 to 31 August 2008
Hikers: Priscilla, Margaret, Ian, Urs, Roger, Rob, Ewan, Andre, Jean and Richard
"A blizzard will be OK too."�Those were my words in my final email before the hike. Little did I know what lay ahead!
Ten Ramblers and guests gathered at Dassieshoek on Friday evening and found that we had been booked into the new and well-equipped Dassieshoek House, next to the big dam and with a beautiful view over the water to the peak that we would ascend over the next two days - Arangieskop at around 1700 metres.
After the traditional braai and a comfortable night, we set off at 8 am on Saturday. There was the usual confusion as to where the trail actually started, but after climbing and re-climbing the stile several times, the group finally decided to follow the leader. We were in great spirits as we had somehow found a gap between the umpteen cold fronts that were sweeping through the Western Cape at that time. The peak was clear, as was the sky for much of the day. The temperature was perfect for hiking and we climbed steadily at what the leader calls his "reasonable pace".
After climbing a few hundred metres our morale suffered a dent when we were obliged to descend into a river bed which put us back, approximately, at our starting altitude. Nevertheless, this made a pleasant stop for "tea" and a swim (except that no-one swam in any of the many frigid pools). Refreshed, we started the ascent again. We were reasonably sheltered by the peak and ridge from the wind which by now had increased and we could hear it howling over the high ground above us. We moved upwards over the increasingly steep terrain, finally reaching the level ground at the boundary of the Dassieshoek Nature Reserve. There was now no protection from the wind which was gusting 60 to 80 kmh. Urs and Ian, who had reached the mountain hut first and dropped their backpacks, gallantly ran back along the path to offer assistance to tiring members. By 4 pm the Ramblers were all snugly inside the comfortable building and in quick time the central fireplace in the main room was crackling merrily. We drank tea (and other beverages) while we watched hikers from another group arrive singly and in pairs. We had passed them on the way up and found them very pleasant and friendly.
Urs decided that the Ramblers’ honour was at stake and that he should "claim the peak" on behalf of the Club, as the worsening weather made it probable that we would not be able to follow tomorrow’s route over the top. He returned an hour later, in gathering darkness, with the Club’s honour intact.
By evening the wind had risen to a full gale, the roof of the hut started to rattle, and it began to snow heavily. My comments about a blizzard came back to haunt me! I had expected a light dusting of snow, just to make the mountains look pretty; but this neither looked nor sounded pretty. We went to bed uneasily, hoping that things would be better in the morning.
"Things" were not better in the morning. In fact worse, much worse. The gale was still blowing heavy snow horizontally creating deep drifts against the hut. Margaret, who was up early, proved to be an excellent fire-maker and the central fireplace created some welcome warmth. The temperature inside the hut, despite the fire, was a chilly 4 degrees, whilst outside it was minus 2,5 degrees. Condensation on the inside of windows had frozen into sheets of ice and there was a large icicle in one of the bedrooms. More icicles hung from the eaves.
There was no possibility that the planned route for day two could be done. The normal plan, in bad weather, is to go back along day one’s path to an escape route about half way down. Consensus was that this too would be dangerous as the path would be untraceable under the snow, and much of the approximate route was steep and slippery. The only remaining option was the jeep track used by the landowner to bring tourists to the hut in a trailer towed by a tractor. One of the hikers in the other group phoned the Breede River Valley Emergency Services and asked for advice. He was instructed NOT to attempt to descend via either the day one or day two routes but to use the jeep track.
Thus, at 8 am, 21 hikers, some looking apprehensive, stepped out into the blizzard. The first problem was that the snow lay so thickly on the ground that it was difficult to find the jeep track at first and again later. The snow was very deep in the drifts that had blown over the track, sometimes thigh deep and soft, and at other times shallow and icy. Progress was slow and tiring, but all 21 hikers remained in single file and close together. The stronger men at the front trampled a sort of a path in the drifts, making it easier for the rest to follow. I shuffled a few times to the rear of the column but rejoined Urs and others at the front once I was sure that everyone was coping well.
By 10:30 am we reached the community hall used for "emergencies" such as ours. Even at that low altitude the snow was still falling. We were given a warm and friendly welcome by Frikkie Cilliers, the Emergency Services Co-ordinator. We were given shelter and wood and fire-maker Margaret again sprang into action. We relaxed and warmed up while Frikkie rustled up three open bakkies to take all 21 hikers and their packs the 100 plus km to Dassieshoek House, where we had started the trail on the previous day. A cold ride, but we were grateful for it. Our Chairman, Ian Pearce, has sent a letter of thanks to the Breede River Valley Municipality.
Despite the claims by super-fit hikers that this is an easy hike, it is not an easy hike. The gross altitude gain is more than 1500 metres, mostly on day one which, with packs, cannot be described as easy for all hikers. The unpredictable weather is another factor that cannot be ignored.
It was both a pleasure and a privilege to have been asked to lead this hike and I wish to thank every member of the group for their good humour and their willingness to work together at all times, but especially when the going got rough. Many thanks, also, to Gill who did all the admin work, yet had to cancel at the last minute due to flu.
I hope our paths will cross again soon.
Richard Warnes.
Appendix
Notes on the Arangieskop Hut as at August 31 2008
This superb mountain hut is on private land, just outside the Dassieshoek Nature Reserve at a high elevation just below Arangieskop peak. It has panoramic views, northwards, over Die Koo. Owned by Neil Burger, the hut is built into the side of a rock band. Entry is by digital code, not keys. Mr Burger brings tourists to his hut on his famous tractor-trailer trips.
There is a central wood burning fireplace, a wood burning stove and a wood burning "donkey" boiler to heat water for two showers, two wash basins and a sink. There are two flush toilets (one is inside one of the shower rooms) and a urinal in another cubicle. There are three beds on the lower floor. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms each have four single bunks and two double bunks = 8 people in each. The third bedroom has four single bunks. Total accommodation is thus 23.
There are pots and pans and a kettle, dishwashing liquid and one drying cloth, a small bar of soap and one towel and toilet paper. There is a table and chairs and several shelves where food may be prepared. Firewood is stored under the hut and there is an axe. Lighting is powered by solar panels which charge a battery.
Outside, there is a level area with a wooden bench/table set, a large braai drum and braai grids.