Hiking Corridor Ravine and Grootkop

Fantastic views from Grootkop
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BLOWN UP CORRIDOR RAVINE Sunday 4^th June

I was supposed to take two ladies and two children into (the restricted, permit only) Orange Kloof but they cancelled at 07h45 on Sunday morning. I quickly checked out the hiking club programs and the only option was Corridor Ravine and Grootkop with Tommy Hiscock of Trail’s Club. Braving his tricky temperament (what’s his problem? I’ve got nothing against the guy) I met up with 12 others at Rontree, Camp’s Bay.

Too many cairns on Grootkop

The descent from Grootkop
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We followed the Pipe Track to the overhang just after Slangolie where we had breakfast/tea. Tony was busy with his watch/gadget thingy, as well as trying to organise medication for a premmie baby. Eventually he stayed behind to make a few phone calls, but he soon caught up with us.

The advantages of the strong wind were on our side as we were blown up Corridor Ravine. Also the wind blew the smog away and the views over the Peninsula were crisp and clear.

Walking along the Apostle Path towards Grootkop was tricky and we must have looked like a bunch of dronkies as we staggered along, sometimes grabbing bushes to steady ourselves!

Leader Tommy Hiscock
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Climbing Grootkop was a challenge with so many cairns. Why is it that when you’re looking for the Atlantic Traverse turnoff you can’t find it, but when you’re looking for the scrambling route you end up on it? Vasco, aged 69, has a habit of annihilating Blister Bush (part of the fynbos) but when I tried to explain this to him there is a huge language barrier – oh dear! The rock formations are amazing and the views even better.

Route finding, no wonder we missed the scrambling cracks but we ended up at the ‘cave’. Most of the group crawled through, easier than scrambling over the rocks! Then the final ascent to a welcome lunch at the top of Grootkop with surround-views. German was definitely the second language with three people permeating the air with Deutsch.

Grootkop from the Apostle Path
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The long walk along the Apostle Path was beautiful with brimming dams, abundant GREEN vegetation and only a few hikers. We were so lucky to have such a glorious Cape winter day.

Despite the varying fitness of the group, Tommy managed to keep us together, and we were back at the cars at his predicted time of 4pm.