28 June 2008    to      29 June 2008

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We managed to get a booking on the Vasbyt trail again. It’s a lovely trail especially in winter. The markers as usual gave us a hard time, even though most had been repainted. The problem being that they are orange which is the same color as most of the lichens on the rocks and on top of that they tend to paint them on top of the rocks when there is an incline, so one has no chance of seeing them from ones present position. Nice big white on black markers in the proper places would solve most of this. Anyway the base camp as usual was very nice.

Vasbyt being situated on a farm, also has some interesting “farm animals” walking around.

Friday afternoon was spent relaxing with some beer, wine and a braai.

Next morning we got going...not so early...

The revenge of the red wine...! Unfortunately, after two months of consuming a considerable amount of that South African specialty, the effects are being felt. Here’s Silvia sweating up one of the early hills.

The day was however beautiful with mild temperatures and blue skies, and the bush was looking great.

After having done the 12km route twice in a row, we decided to explore the 8km route this time.

After an initial steep climb, one reaches a straight stretch that contours the mountain back in the direction one came from.

After this another steep climb follows before reaching the top. From here one can look far across the valley below.

A short 15 minute walk along the top and we reached the steep decent that takes one down to the overnight hut.

Hut sweet hut in the distance...

This overnight hut is particularly nice with a large “donkey” and two rooms, each with their own on-suite bathrooms. The roof which is flat and has stairs leading to the top makes a nice lookout area.

The inside.

Enjoying the view from the roof.

The evening was spent around a campfire topping up with that good South African stuff again.

The next day starts off with a good stiff amount of climbing. We took a short break at the bottom of a waterfall. From here another steep climb follows.

One eventually crosses a valley and from here one can see the overnight hut in the distance across the valley.

A piece of the trail follows a dry rocky riverbed.

At one point one needs to descend some ladders.

The last stretch of day two takes one through some beautiful bush.