Hiking with water everywhere on the TM sleepover

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ALL PICTURES BY MARE ASCOTT, to view more, direct link :

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While exiled in England for a year in 2005, one of the things on my list-of-things-to-do when I returned to CT was to sleep on Table Mountain. I would have done this alone, but it’s far nicer to do it with friends. In my opinion, winter is the best time, particularly when the weather is bad and the Mountain Club hut creaks and shakes.

Out of 11 people, only five of us made it: Kathryn, Marē, Richard, Sandy and me of course. Meeting at the Kirstenbosch carpark under a grey-cloud shrouded mountain, first stop was the snug tea-room with its under floor heating nogal.

We had an uneventful ascent of Nursery Ravine in windy conditions, later changing to no wind with humidity for RandK. What a pleasure to see the dams so full (except for De Villiers) and water lapping on the shore.

Who should we find in the MCSA hut? Colleen Louw and Jonathan. It was great to hear about the Naukluft Trail and future plans to climb in the Drakensberg next Easter.

After lunch we followed the Apostle path dodging puddles and path-rivers. Although swirling clouds threatened, the weather was wintry but fine (after all it is winter). After tea overlooking Orange Kloof, False Bay and Constantiaberg we returned to Kasteelspoort where Marē climbed onto the ‘diving board’ for a photo opportunity. I swear, these females get more daring on every hike (see pic of Veena’s step-over on the Cups & Saucers write-up). Almost back at the hut we came across RandK who were happy to see us as they’d forgotten their hut keys. No water at the hut, we were offered a drum of it by people in the Scout Hut (the People’s Hut empty once again). we hadn't been in the hut long when it started to rain............and rain, in fact it probably sounded worse than it was because of the tin roof. Unable to get the fire going after attempts by three of us, we thought we’d have to call on the scouts – “bob-a-job”. Eventually a roaring fire - compliments of Richard and Sandy carrying stukies - accompanied by booze, snacks and supper and a late night – 22h45!

We had a late start of 10am next day after a night of wood sawing (won’t mention any names but it wasn’t the person who I thought it was and who was blamed – shame!), water-boiling and cleaning the hut.

Cape Town is renowned for having microclimates but we found a new one – the weather below was different to the weather above. With water running everywhere, symphony of birdsong and swirling clouds billowing up gorges, all around the mountain were fluffy clouds while we walked in sunglasses and T-shirts. Oh yes, I almost forgot the symphony-of-cell-phone, Melany please don’t phone your mum while she’s on the mountain. (sic Melany is Marē’s sick-at-the-time daughter).

Climbing the last ladder, a sudden shock as we were confronted by people - everywhere. But we found a quiet spot on the cliff-face where we had lunch while watching Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak come and go through the cotton wool.

Some climbed MacLear’s beacon or took pictures while others removed cairns. On the descent we debated between the aqueduct and the middle route, eventually opting for the latter, a good choice with less steps and something ‘newer’ for the regular hikers.

Back at the hut to collect our gear we then hiked the long route down the concrete (Myrdal) road to find that the old, huge, sick pine tree on the bend has vanished, along with the smaller pines that were starting to invade the cleared area. Back through Cecilia gum forest and then along the roads in upper Kirstenbosch to arrive at our cars at about 6pm with plans for hot baths and pizzas.

Many thanks to the group for their company and tons of patience with my back injury. I think my sister Ali may be right, “You will have to stop all the hiking until your back is right! You’re getting on a bit now you know!”