05 November 2005    to      06 November 2005

Click HERE for Bigger Map

Friday evening Markus, Silvia and myself arrived at the camping spot at Golden Gate in a light drizzle. This was Markus's first hike in South Africa after arriving two months ago from Hannover Germany. Eventually after waiting awhile the rain stopped, and we were able to pitch our tents. Heather, Sue, Karin, Petro and Robin who had moved into one of the chalets came down a bit later to join us. The evening we had our traditional garlic snails and braai.

During the night we continued having sporadic rain but it had stopped by morning so we could fold away our tents in relatively dry conditions.

After the rest of the group had completed all the formalities at the office, we were ready to go. Two smaller groups of three and two people also joined us on the hike, so that all in all we were seventeen people on the Ribbok trail.

The Golden Gate area consists of a type of Sandstone that has left beautiful formations in the rocks.

After a fairly steep climb our group decided to have its first rest under a rock overhang.

From here the view was stunning, but the dark clouds lingered in the distance.

Eventually patches of blue sky appeared. The trail contours for awhile along the hills before turning north into the valley behind it.

Here next to a stream that had been cut into the Sandstone we decided to have another break.

Shortly after this part another steep climb follows before the trail levels out again. A view of one of the gorges.

After this a steep decent follows. Here's Jorge and Isabella under mushroom rock. By now it was midday and we stopped for lunch.

After lunch the trail winds its way around some more of the Sandstone hills before one crosses the main Golden Gate road.

Here a long stretch of relatively flat grassland follows before the trail heads into one of the valleys.

Eventually we got to our overnight hut.

The hut is quite nice with a "Donkey" for hot water for the shower.

The views from the hut are also quite stunning.

That evening we relaxed around the braai fire. This is where Sue (Tender hiker of Naukluft fame, Mello yellow...etc) discovered how one turns water into wine :-) Notice the always full glass!

Next morning we were up at 4:45 already. The second day contains a very long and steep climb of about 750m. Dark clouds were everywhere.

On this part of the trail there are virtually no trees. Eventually we ended up in the clouds..literally! Occasionally a break in the clouds would occur revealing some stunning views of the valleys below.

After more climbing one reaches a point near the top called "Lesotho view", but there was to be no view today. The temperatures at this point where freezing as well. It started raining occasionally and the sound of thunder could be heard in the distance. During the decent off the mountains we decided to skip one of the ridges to try and minimize the risk of being hit by lightning. We managed to get to a tar road that gets used for game drives and walk along that. After quite a walk we managed to join up with the trail again.

By the time we got close to the end of the trail the rain had stopped and the last few hundred meters we walked in sunshine. After having done this trail now for the third time the one thing one can say about it besides its great scenery, is that it always offers different hiking conditions and even in mid summer one needs to be prepared for all weather conditions but we sure enjoy it every time!