20 June 2009     to     21 June 2009

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After quite a long break in our hikes, we managed to get a booking on a completely new hike that we had not done before. The Salpeterkrans hike is about 50 km west of the town of Lydenburg. Initially we though it was going to be just grassland and a few hills, but the place really turned into a lovely hike with wonderful scenery both days.

Next morning after a good breakfast we were off.

The trail basically runs along the two sides of a long valley. The first day in a northerly direction on the one side of the valley, and the second day back on the other side. The scenery is quite different on each day.

After getting to the top of the hills, the trail more or less contours along with wonderful views into the valley below.

Or first stop. Here the water had desolved some of the rock creating a flat pool.

The "Queen of Salpeterkrans" on her throne.

An old klipkraal.

Along the top.

Next break and lunch.

The highest point at Roossekop.

An old Boer War snipers position right on top of Roosekop.

Once you head back down into the valley there is a river to cross, and there is no bridge, so if there has been rain...well, hard luck! Here is Silvia in deep water.

The overnight camp consists of three huts. Two contain bunkbeds and the third are the ablution facilities. There is a Donkey, or hot water boiler fired by wood behind the huts. The only problem with the donkey is that it takes an enormous amount of wood to heat the water. There are also a number of braai facilities. The evening was spent around a nice campfire.

Next morning after breakfast we hit the trail again. In the distance can be seen the two Klipvinger rocks.

On the second day one walks through some stunning rock formations. It was somewhere at this point that Kerneels taught us all about the "Structure" of cow shit. Having been a cattle farmer for awhile in his previous life, he knows a lot about this interesting subject!

Rocks, rocks, and more rocks!

Negotiating a narrow passage between two big boulders.

The highest point of the Spitsberg.

Break, before attempting the last stretch back to the base camp.