Florida Hiking and Adventure Club

We all thought this was going to be a walk in the park – and totally under estimated just how difficult it was all going to be. I use the word difficult maybe a bit too easily, but it was most definitely no walk in the park. We ended up with a total of 13 booked for this experience.

Ten of us ended up staying over at a lovely inexpensive B&B just south of Queenstown, called Imvani Lodge, run by a young couple on their farm, and they took extremely good care of us (good place to stay!!). The second day was an easy drive into Port Alfred, and we were very lucky that a huge storm that was brewing didn’t fully materialise . We managed to get our tents up at Green Fountain Caravan Park just as the rain started. The Caravan Park was very clean and well run and would most definitely recommend it. For supper we took over a local pub, the Highland Inn.

The next morning after much repacking, we finally set off from the quay in Port Alfred Harbour in our 2 man canoes (leaving a huge pile of stuff for portage) and tackled the row up the Kowie River – one of the longest tidal rivers. The rowing was completely ruled by the tide – up the river with high tide coming in, and then down as the tide was going out. Some rowed a lot more than others due to zig zagging all over the place (amid much laughter), some tried submarine and preferred to be below the waters (also with much laughter, and some scowls thrown in!!), arriving in dribs and drabs at the hut which needed a good dose of maintenance. The hike the following day was an easy amble – with a few stiff up hills thrown in, and some lovely views.

After an early start back down the river which we now tackled like a bunch of pros. We fell on the hotel at the quay for lunch as if we hadn’t seen food in days. So typical of us. Set off for the Pick and Pay to replenish stocks. The hikers came out of that store with enough food to feed all of the starving in the world! Needless to say total over catering for that evening. What can we expect from the eating, drinking club with a hiking problem!!

Next morning we got off to a relatively early start to the hike. From the onset realised that this was going to be an awesome hike. The trail was well marked and maintained, the walk through the forest quite breathtaking. And then we hit the beach, and what can one say – luckily it was low tide so the surface underfoot was firm, and the Mach 3 gale that was blowing was from behind.We were truly sandblasted and this was a bit of a downer as we couldn’t sit and fully enjoy the lovely beach and surrounds. Came to the end of the beach and had this almost vertical climb up the sandy cliff with some help from logs and a rope. Trust me no mean feat getting up there. I need to get hold of Nick’s video camera and do some editing there!! We were in fynbos almost immediately, and had quite a long trudge before finally reaching the hut. No shower there so we all did the bucket shower, and found sand in crevices we didn’t know we had.

And the last day dawned with a bit of apprehension as we knew we had to do about 3kms over sand dunes before the last bit of forest walk. This was totally awesome, difficult by no means, but also giving us some great photo opportunities. Then the one big downer of the whole trip, one of our young hikers decided to head back to camp, on his own, without letting anyone know, and only when we reached the camp and he was there did we know that he was safe.

Spent the last night back at the starting hut, finishing whatever we could find in the line of food and drink – I mean who needs to take anything but memories and photo’s back home!!

The Alexandria trail is truly very well maintained, facilities are excellent and this is a trail well worth re-visiting.

This hike was booked in place of Idwala. We shared the camp with 6 hikers from IBM hiking club and were glad to welcome Aileen with some of her family. There were 16 of us in total. The weather closed in on the Friday evening and the last few hikers arrived in the rain. The camp had not been “waterproofed” as water came in everywhere. Unfortunately some of our bedding got soaked. The water also poured into the kitchen/dinning area, and upon opening the one door the water gushed in like a raging river. Once again I have to take my hat off to the Florida hikers – they handled everything as if it were a daily occurrence. Florida hikers – you guys are once again STARS!!! Maybe it is the age thing!! The trail was well varied and as we had done a hike – Bermanzi in January – we knew that the area was lovely. This is a new trail and in places we were a bit concerned that erosion would most definitely be a problem in the not too distant future. We also felt that not all the bridges were necessary over the river. Maybe just a very well secured cable would have sufficed. We were very lucky that we had cloud cover for the entire Saturday, as some of our newies battled a bit. Thankfully Aileen played the roll of sweeper. The 6 of us who hiked on the Sunday were not that lucky. The sun came out and we really felt the heat and humidity. The camp was laid out in amongst the rocks. The huts were double storey with access to the top storey via ramps and scrambles up rocks. There was lots of creosote on the mattresses as well as the floors. Some of us were unlucky enough to get this on our kit bags and sleeping bags. The Florida hikers did not let anything stand in their way of having a good time.

In Summary

A very beautiful hike with lovely views. A nice, varied hike.
Flo Smith

This hike was booked at the last minute as the Black Wildebeest was cancelled. Turned out for the better as “ WE HAD SNOW “!!! We met Kagisho at the shell garage in Phuthaditjaba and followed him through the town for what seemed like ages. We eventually arrived at the hut. By now it was cold and dark . The hut is new, clean and in excellent condition . Peter and Tony braaied and we chatted until well after midnight . I got up just before 6 – nature calling and put on kettle for coffee etc. We left the hut at about 8.30. This is the first hike that I have done where we all wore our warm clothes all day. We had small hail stones, sleet and finally “kapok” before arriving at the next hut. Boy it was cold. We did not stay up too late and woke on Sunday to find we were surrounded by snow. We were like children – especially me as I have never seen snow before. We all took lots of photos and thoroughly enjoyed the beauty. The only small downer was that 4 guys came to meet us just short of the end saying they were there to help us. We are seasoned hikers and do not need help. They kept on about how they had washed our cars and could help us carry our backpacks. We felt obliged to give them something for the car wash. The matter has been taken up with the necessary parties . We have been assured that the matter has been dealt with.In summaryOne of the most scenic hikes we have been on in a long time .Plan to revisit next year .