Hiking Outreach with MC

And they're still smiling...........
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Puffing and panting the kids reached the highest point on the hike and started tucking into the food - apples and sandwiches, but after all that’s why kids hike, even some adults.

For years, I’d wanted to join an Outreach hike, but what with annoying things such as work and chores stopping me, today was my initiation.

"Why are there no birds or animals under the pine trees?"

There was much activity at Constantia Nek on Saturday 29^th July. A group of boys and men setting off to overnight in the TM hut, a sadist running race, apart from the usual dog walkers and hikers.

Cecilia waterfall and time for food
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Clouds gushed up from Hout Bay across Constantia Corner so Urs opted for a lower, sheltered route. While we waited for the group to arrive we were introduced to Yasmine, here for three months from Germany, and SA-born Tim who is working and living here for two months, including teaching at one of the three schools where today’s hikers come from.

Half an hour late, they arrived, 11 teenagers from schools in Philippi, some with inappropriate footwear, no backpacks or water. No problem! Urs opened his boot to an Aladdin’s cave of donated equipment, including a backpack that I recognised.

Skellies waterfall and time to turn back
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At 10h30 we set off along the road where Urs explained the symbols and maps of the TMNP signboard, before continuing along a muddy section of road. It was surprising how fast the kids kept up with Urs and Tim and even more so that they kept up the pace throughout the hike. Later, speaking to one of the boys, it turned out that he runs for the school.

After walking through mono-vegetation in the pine forest, we came to the upper Cecilia area with more interesting fynbos and fringe forest. Later, it was interesting that the boys asked about the lack of animals and birds in the pine forest. Their interest peaked when they saw a black lizard on one of the steps. No wonder people like Urs and Lynda enjoy leading these meets when the kids are so aware of their surroundings.

Some of the girls have hiked before in Kommetjie but for most of the group it was their first time, but they want to come back. We walked to Skellies waterfall and then returned along the road through Cecilia Forest where it was easier to interact.

Three hours later, we were back at the Nek. It was most enjoyable and I look forward to the next Outreach. Keep on donating your old gear and come along and see what happens to it, interact with the kids and appreciate and see our mountain through their eyes.

It was good that I hiked on Saturday because it drizzled all day on Sunday. A good day for breakfast at Kirstenbosch followed by cleaning the inside of my car.