08 September 2007    to      09 September 2007

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Initially we intended doing Stamvrug, but then Friday morning the booking agent called us and told us that the owners of Stamvrug had called to tell them they had "staff problems" and we could not come. I think the real reason was that two people was just not "profitable" enough to have! Anyway thats how we ended up on Baldibis again. We had intended doing it later in the year when the first rains had fallen and the flowers were out, but it turned into a very nice hiking weekend as it was just the two of us and no "issues". As usual we got there quite early and had a great Friday afternoon and evening.

The base camp at Baldibis is very well equipped and has a nice "Donkey" for hot water.

Next morning getting in the "bacon and eggs" before setting off.

Ready to role......

From the base camp its a steady climb up to the back of the big rock and around it. Here's Silvia sweating away!

Some how that needle rock in the far back is still standing!

The usual break at "Windy corner".

The magnificent cliffs in the background.

The only ladder on the trail.

San cave.

From here on the going is a bit easier.

Tim from Footprint hiking club had been here a few weeks earlier to remark some of the trail and clear out a lot of the brush. This section had been a nightmare previously with loads of stinging nettles everywhere not to mention the non-existant markings. This time round the path was well marked and a heck of a lot of the undergrowth cleared away. Certain people might even have a better than 50% chance of not getting lost in this section now!

Not far to our lunch spot now under the large rock ahead!

After lunch we crossed a small plain before attempting the last climb upto the cave. From about the wattles forest the markings started getting less and less. I suppose that section had not been done yet.

"Cave sweet cave". The Hermit had moved out when we got here, so I could not get the latest Lottery numbers! The cave needs some work done on it as well. There was rubbish all over. I think it may be the Baboons that dig around in the rubbish and throw it around, so maybe a baboon secure bin might be in order.

The waterfall that normally feeds the big tank below had dried out and we were down to about 300 liters of water left.

The Longdrop was quite overgrown and half collapsed. Quite frankly, there was no drop at all, just the ground below. Hopefully all these little things will get sorted out sometime. Otherwise the cave is in a very nice position.

A break at about the halfway point back. The second day is not very long or strenuous. From here on the markers were very difficult to follow as there were virtually none, but I think that will be sorted out soon.