HIKE:              HANGLIP

DATE:      18 – 20 JUNE 2010

TYPE:              BACK PACKING

AREA:      MAKHADO / LOUIS TRICHARDT

Most of the hikers pulled out of this one citing “too far”, but we got away our usual time for a long drive, at about 1pm and reached the hike, even after “Heather” the Garmin took us to the wrong destination, with a fair bit of daylight still left. Turns out not to be that far at all. But then how far is too far!!

A truly beautiful area, there is a bit of walking through the plantations, but most of the time through indigenous forest. The Friday evening Madeleine and Stephen very kindly offered to do a potjie for us. This was divine and we ended up sharing with Jana and Radek, diplomats from the Czech Republic, who we sincerely hope will join us on more hikes. There was no kitchen and no braai wood but these were about the only downers we came across the whole weekend. We once again made alternative arrangements – used the hand basin in the bathroom for washing the dishes.

The overnight hut just sort of suddenly appears out of nowhere and is such a welcome sight. Showering in the freezing water was quite an experience that not all were brave enough to attempt, but most of us took the plunge. And we were then warming ourselves sitting in front of the huge “fireplace” in the middle of the hut. Here there was an ample supply of wood, and we made more than good use of it.

The second days hike is unfortunately a bit of a let down, as you wind your way back down the mountain. The hot shower at the end ALMOST made one forget the icy chill of the one the night before.

The trail was well marked, in good condition, and we all had an enjoyable time.

HIKE:              LESOBA

DATE:      21 – 23 MAY 2010

TYPE:              BASE CAMP

AREA:      FOURIESBURG / CLARENS

We had a nice turn out for this base camp. It is reasonably luxurious and also a very well maintained camp. As the chalets for the trout fishing were not booked, the owner very kindly upgraded us to these, and we were all very grateful for this. All the hikes in the Free State are gorgeous, and this one is no exception. The farm road is well maintained, and presents no problem.

We had our usual Friday evening braai, and due to the winter chills as well as the not too great distance needed to walk the next day, we decided not to leave too early on Saturday morning. The owner runs through the trail the evening before, and we had no problem finding our way, scrambling up the gorge to the top of the mountain, all along the ridge to have a look at the hole in the wall, and finally back down getting back to camp with plenty of time for hot showers and getting the braai fire going.

Sunday saw a few of the hikers doing their own thing and so the party setting off was a fair bit depleted. We started off losing the trail pretty early, but found it again after all doing some serious looking, and later on once we were scrambling up the steep mountain side we totally lost the trail once again, and no amount of searching could produce the lost footprints!! We then decided to have a leisurely rest right on top of the mountain, and just retraced our steps back to a certain point and headed straight back to the camp. Checking with the owner we had ventured too much to the left and should have walked quite a bit more along the ridge before we started the steep climb up.

In conclusion, a thoroughly enjoyable hike, well worth doing.

HIKE:              WOODCLIFFE CAVE TRAIL

DATE:      28 DEC 2009 – 1 JAN 2010

TYPE:              5 DAY BACK PACKING

AREA:      MACLEAR – EASTERN CAPE

This is going to be quite an effort to write this report, as we were so looking forward to this hike, especially after our wonderful experience the year before – the row up the Kowie and then the Alexandria hike.

Starting at Nick and Pauline’s place the night before we set off we were “entertained” with a delicious meal (thanks Pauline – much appreciated!!) as well as numerous bottles of wine, at least we all slept well!! Decided not to hit the road too early, discovered we didn’t have that far to travel to reach our overnight stop at Rouxville – ok so maybe we should have chosen some place slightly more civilised – none the less we still had lots of fun. Next stop – Woodcliffe farm house in time for us to reach the overnight cave. What an absolutely beautiful farm house with the most exquisite views, Phyll is an extremely gracious host and is very meticulous concerning the finer details pertaining to the forthcoming hike.

The area we were in was so beautiful that the adverse report we had received from Albert just didn’t seem as if it could apply. But unfortunately a lot of the problems, I must stress here though – not all, that Albert had brought up, still applied.

The description of the trail just doesn’t correlate with what you encounter. We didn’t battle at all in finding our way around, but one does not want to spend 4 days out of the 5 walking most of the time on a jeep track, and when one does finally get into the bush there is no defined path to follow, you scramble over rocks, bushes etc, the markings are plentiful but in places have been painted on flat rocks and as the grass is long all of these cannot be seen. Even when doing a wilderness trail like the Cederberg, you have a path to follow – there may well be no markers but you can at least work out where to go with your GPS or otherwise a compass and a map.

The water situation at Tok’s cave needs to be addressed, getting water from the waterfall in the warm weather was bad enough but I would have hated to have been there in the winter, and got totally wet in the freezing weather.

The huts are just that huts – there is nothing else, and nowhere does it say that you need to bring mattresses for these nights. At Reed Park hut there were 4 chairs and a table, some mattresses that were in a shocking state. At Wide Valley Cottage there was nothing. No chairs or even logs or rocks to sit on, no mattresses, with a loose piece of corrugated iron on one section of the roof that banged all night long as the wind had come up.

Day 2 or 3, depending whether you do the circular yellow route or not, the ascent up to the top of the high berg is awful, once again no path to follow, lots of erosion, it would have been so much better if the path had zig zagged its way to the top.

I do not want this all to sound like doom and gloom as this is an exceptionally lovely area, but I do believe there is so much more that could be done. Paths made instead of all the walking on the jeep track, more walking along the rivers, markers on poles etc where the grass is long, more zig zagging up and down the mountain sides, to avoid all the erosion, some form of water containers at Tok’s cave, upgrading and maintenance of the interior of the huts.

If I had been a first time hiker and had attempted this hike, I think I would have been put off of hiking in a big way….. So it is lucky that we know that there are well marked, well maintained beautiful hikes around.

Woodcliffe – please listen and heed what we hope will be taken as constructive criticism. We would love to recommend your hike to others – but not as it is at present.

And then the best was yet to come – we found the most awesome B&B in Zastron on our return trip – called Die ou Stal, even if you are not that close – make the detour and spend a night or two there – Zanobia and Piet are host of note, the B&B is spotless and beautifully furnished – truly well worth a stay.

On Saturday 4 April 2009, 7 members of the Florida Hiking Club set off to the lower reaches of the southern Drakensburg to hike this slack packing trial i.e. Giant Cup hikeathon, in a world heritage site, close to Himeville and Underberg area.

After travelling almost 640km we all met after 17h00 at our 1^st overnight lodge Briar Lea Lodge in Himeville. We spent two nights at this lodge. The lodge, the original farmhouse that is well over 100 years old has been newly renovated. Still reflecting the old big rooms, big deep baths, gas stove, huge veranda this place had a very special character to it.

Our hostess Judy ensured we did not go hungry; we sat down for a full dinner and breakfast each day. We were also given a packed lunch whilst on-route.

Our guide Mathew Wiggill picked us up at the lodge with his Land Rover and shuttled us to the Sani Pass start of the trial. With the view of Giant Cup, Salt and Pepper pots and lots more we started our hike. After walking with us for about 3 km, sharing his knowledge of the veldt with us he turned back to fetch his vehicle. We progressed faster without our guide and managed to finish the 13km well within time.

A candid camera moment was when we all had to cross a stream in full flood on a wooden, very lapidating bridge. No doubt that we reported this bridge to Matthew that evening. Luckily after crossing the stream we all had a good laugh, although it was serious crossing at the time.

After a day of spectacular views of sandstone cliffs, valleys, pools, streams and waterfalls we ended day one at Cobham reserve where Mathew met us again and shuttled us back to Lea Lodge. We sat down for a well-earned supper.

Day 2 started early knowing we had to hike 18km.We started hiking at 8’o clock after Mathew shuttled us back to where we ended the previous day. Mathew joined us again only for the 1^st few kilometres. He showed us some rock art and parted from us at the magnificent tortoise formation like rocks. The footprints for the trial were easy to follow accept for the one after the cabin where we stopped for lunch. Although worried we were on the correct route. Later the afternoon clouds started to build up and we experienced the feeling of different weather patterns in the berg on the same day. About 5km from the end it started raining. Having put on our rain gear we had no choice than heading to the end. There was a stage where we were all a little worried but luckily we reached the end with only some of us been more wet and more cold than the one’s with proper raincoats.

Paul Colvin met us on the road in the rain. We were all very pleased to see him just to be told his vehicle cannot carry all 7 of us. At the 1^st hill 3 of us had to get out of the car. At the river crossing another surprise awaited us. The river was in full flood and we could not cross. After a while, also been desperate, we managed to walk over the river. Once again all the hikers could not get into the car and 3 was left at the foot of the hills. After dropping 4 of us Paul went back to fetch the 3 unlucky, cold and wet, still walking hikers.

Arriving at the hut Orchid Valley we were welcomed by no electricity. Daryle started to get the fire going.  All safe and sound at last, we did some bed moving to at least ensure privacy for all. 

Supper proofed to be another surprise; nothing had been prepared as yet. I’m sure to Paul’s delight Roddie and Amanda started with supper and between the 3 of them we ended having a superb supper.

The 3^rd morning we all awake to a cold misty day and hiking the last day had to be cancelled. The electricity was back on.

Roddie, Pat and Maryke decided to start with the journey back home. Paul suggested us doing a shorter hike close by and Amanda, Daryle, Cheryl and I joined him – after we packed our lunch – for a 6km hike, the Pillar Cave trial which started at the Drakensburg Gardens Resort. The scenery on this route was different to the scenery of the 1^st 2 days – it was also beautiful and we were all please to end the trial on this high note. For a second, when the mist clear on the one side we were able to see Rhino Peak.

When booking slack packing hikes in future I will ask more questions ensuring what the write-up says is what you get in the end. The hike itself was very good but the catering and organization of it all could do with some improvement and more imagination, which is what we paid for.

Taking the correct gear for a hike in the Drakensberg is important and one should discuss all possible emergency situation and how to deal with it prior to doing the hike.

Everybody had a great time, it was a great bunch of people to hike with and we would definitely tackle another slack packing trial.