28 October 2006    to      29 October 2006

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Kututsa was a new trail for us and after the two and half month hiking break we had, it was high time to get into shape again. Consuming vast quantities of red wine may be great, but it does nothing for one's hiking fitness. Anyway, after struggling to find the place we eventually got there. The description was a bit confusing to read. For those that want to find the place, its about 20km out of Fouriesburg on the Ficksburg road. Its the same gravel road that leads to Spinx and Waterkloof. We got there just after a heavy downpour and that night we would have a lot more rain.

The base camp is in an old barn next to a Polo field. The barn also doubles up as a crèche during the day and has all the facilities. The beds are sacks of straw, which worked out fine. We were asked if bunk beds would be better but we thought the hay sacks made a nice change from the usual bunk beds.

That evening we were in and out from the braai area to the barn and out again a number of times as it stopped and and started raining. That night it really came down!

Next morning, Tracy who runs the trail, thoughtfully provided us with a guide to get us around the Donga and the river that was flowing very strongly by now. It was quite hot and humid in the morning and we soon found ourselves running a bit low on water, even though we had taken our usual two liters of water with, so we were very glad when we came across this water point.

There is a fair amount of climbing on the trail and we found the first day quite tough, mainly due to the humid heat and of course us not being up to our usual hiking fitness. The second day was to be much better as we had built up a bit of fitness by then again.

Eventually we ended up behind the first hills looking towards the Spinx/Waterkloof area. The views were great from up here!

The trail then returns to the top of the first lot of hills. Here in the distance we could see the large rock overhang that would be our overnight cave.

Some area's could have used a few more markers. The problem with painting markers on rocks is that often over time the grass grows around them and you battle to see them.

Here the trails weaves its way in and out of some of the smaller overhangs.

"Cave sweet Cave", our as our ancestors may also have said "My cave is my castle". We were sure glad to get to the castle!

Its quite a large rock overhang as rock overhangs go and the nice thing is that they have put hay in the sleeping areas. As everyone knows who has stayed in these rock overhangs before, they get very dusty.

There was plenty of wood available (for a change) and 40L of water, as well as a kettle, pan and pot. As usual, we had brought along our portable shower. This thing is great. We both got a hot shower and eventually by the the time we left we had used less that 25L of water and that included everything!

At around 3 the afternoon a group of people who stayed at the Lodge arrived with 3 kids for an outing. It was quite interesting to watch these kids dowsing themselves in the dust! They eventually left absolutely black! Our visitors left us two beers which were very welcome! Having the whole rock overhang to oneself that evening was something different!

Next morning we were off very early. The map we were given by Jacana must have been an old one as the second days route was completely different to that shown on the map. The trail actually runs behind the first days trail and not directly back as the map shows.

The weather was a bit overcast and a lot less humid than the previous day which made for pleasant walking. The second day also has a fair amount of climbing.

The trail eventually joins up with the first days again for awhile and then back to the base.

Nearly there!

Made it! By the time we got back a Polo game was in progress which is something one does not often see in South Africa....."I say, Snodgrass old chap...How about a game...what what!" Well, we sure enjoyed the hike and even the Donkey had been lit when we got back!