17 November 2007    to      18 November 2007

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We had just done this one two months ago, but its such a nice hike and Petro and Kerneels had not done it before that we decided to do it again. Besides, after the recent rains a lot of flowers would be out. Another thing we wanted to have a look at was how bad the place had burnt. The trail had been closed for awhile as fires had burnt down large parts of indigenous forest in the gorges. As usual we got there not too late and after "claiming our stake" in the barn that contains the bunk beds we got the "braai" going.

After about 2 hours of tenderly nursing the chicken, it was done...and damn good if I say so myself!

Next morning we got going a bit later than normal. Petro and Kerneels had arrived late at night all the way from Richards Bay.

The place certainly looked very green.

On this hike the first climb starts straight from the base camp, with a small flat stretch in-between.

A small cave just before "Windy Corner".

From "Windy Corner" the trails contours slowly down.

A bit of a break.

Here we already started noticing patches that had burnt down. In some of the stretches of indigenous forest the markers had also disappeared in the recent fires.

The only ladder on the trail.

Another break at "San Cave".

The day had become overcast early on.

By the evening a thick mist had settled in. This one looks like something out of "Lord of the Rings"!

Silvia trying to keep warm.....

Kerneels braaing the "Perfect Chop"

That evening we all kept warm around the fire.

The next morning still saw heavy mist everywhere when we set off that gradually lifted a bit.

The scenery on the second day is quite interesting as the trail runs back well below that of the first day with a good view of the cliffs above.

The temperatures had been quite cool and the wind was howling in places so we did not take many rest stops and finished quite early.