Hiking Swartboskam in Jonkershoek

Four "stitched" pictures of the Jonkershoek Valley
see all photos »

Rock scrambling along a ridge, magnificent vlaktes, a kloof and panoramic views, Swartbosrand has it all.

Since hearing about Ernst Lotz book of Jonkershoek routes, many years ago, I’d wanted someone to translate it. This was even more important when I transferred from the Cape Town section of MC to Stellenbosch.

Follow the ridge to vlaktes and then a kloof

Techno-Tony Heher translated the A/B/C routes in May, using translation software. Mind you, having seen a sample, he still had a lot of work to do in making it legible.

The ridge, the "toys" - Alex, Lucille, Paul, Koos, Tony and Eric
see all photos »

Not only did Tony translate the book but he is also exploring them. When I heard that he planned to do Swartboskam I asked if I could lead it for the Stellenbosch section. He agreed and our group comprised six CT section members and three Stellenbosch, Lucille was our co-leader.

Tony and a U3A group had done a recce a few weeks before but had to abort because of time.

Having walked with U3A many times, I am aware that they have no concept about time. I don’t blame them, most members are retired.

The weir and turn-off from the Swartboskloof path
see all photos »

I always carry a torch, but today I left it at home. Was this a conscious statement? Was it a sign of mutiny? Whatever the reason, the gate closes at 6pm anyway so walking in the dark was not an option.

To make matters worse, time-wise, Tony had about five Garmin GPS’ to test.

Added to this was my stress of having to do one-and-a-half people’s jobs and create double the amount of stories for the Constantiaberg Bulletin. In other words, I shouldn’t be here today.

We met at the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve at 8am but only got going at 8h45. The weather was poor for photography but it did brighten later in the day, and no wind.

the lower, bushy slopes
see all photos »

This is not a route to do in summer. Here follows an updated route description. From the size of the vegetation on the lower slopes, the last fire must have been about ten years ago. The vegetation gets easier higher up the mountain.

This route was described in Ernst Lotz “Jonkershoek en sy Berge” 19?? And translated, and resurrected, by Tony Heher in May 2007.

This route follows the prominent ridge to the left of Swartboskloof in Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch.

After entering the gate and paying the necessary fee or showing your Wild Card, drive along the circular road to Swartboskloof.

Teabreak - Jeanne, Lucille, Koos, Tony, moi, Kobus, Paul and Alex
see all photos »

Walk along the path for 5min to a fork. Take the path to the left where you shortly come to a weir. Cross the weir and follow a vague path through dense vegetation. After 8min you cross another stream and then negotiate the bushy slope.

Follow the ridge, keeping to the rock wherever possible, taking care because it is rotten.

After 20min you reach the first of many ridges where you need to go left to negotiate the first rocky cliff.

The first rock step is climbed to the right of the ridge on a grassy slope. Then go to the left and immediately afterwards move to the right.

Jeanne is like a mountain goat
see all photos »

After 35min you will reach the first, main rock scramble where it’s easier to keep left.

The next step appears to be difficult but can be bypassed on the kloof side using a well-placed ledge. Otherwise, for experienced climbers, scramble up the C-grade scramble, 700m, but notice the crack in the corner to the left of the ridge. Scramble to the left of the crack and then move up and out to the right.

Immediately above this rock step, contour left to avoid a break in the ridge.

Paul and Jeanne on the traverse
see all photos »

The route then keeps a little to the left of the ridge, but do take the trouble to walk to the narrow small nek and chasm and peep down, 12min. If that does not give you the cold shivers, then you have nerves of steel.

The next step is climbed to the right of the ridge.

From here, follow the ridge.

At 960m, there are two options:

Eric on the traverse, to avoid the C-pitch
see all photos »

a) either continue along the ridge until the Panorama path is reached;

b) traverse left of the ridge towards the nek.

From the nek, 25min, follow the vlaktes where you will see the rounded dome of ? to the left.

Descend to the upper reaches of the First Waterfall stream and head for a 2-m rock pinnacle next to a stream, 30min.

Eric, Tony, Lucille and Kobus
see all photos »

Keep to the right, avoiding the marshy areas, heading for the nek and the Panorama path, 25min, 1035m.

Go right and head for Pic-sans-nom, marked by a tall cairn, 5min.

It is a further 10min to the head of the kloof. The first stream is reached after one hour. At the second crossing, 35min, look back at the ridge to see the narrow chasm.

The full descent will take just over 2 hours.