Fourteen MCSA members, and one prospective member, met at 07h30 at the SANParks parking in Kronenzicht. We hiked up to and along ‘Rocket Road’ to the Block House above Oudeskip and Maori Bay, and then followed the Ridge approach path to the wreck of the BOS.
The approach path was quite badly eroded in one particular spot and not so clear in some places because of the extensive fire damage on Karbonkelberg last year.
We were very lucky to see heaps of Humpback Whales cavorting offshore – quite a spectacle to say the least!
From the wreck, we scrambled up Duiker Ridge proper where last year’s fire has opened up previous dense bush in places. The vegetation is recovering well and is quite interesting; the views were as magnificent as usual and we had tea sheltering on the lee-side of the ridge!
Further up, the old path (on the final ascent to the Old WW2 Radar Station) has virtually disappear although vague remnants were evident in places.
We had a split lunch – an early one at the view point on the northside of the Radar Station (to take further advantage of the good views of the whales!) and then later in the little Afro-montane forest after scaling Suther Peak and before the long but lovely descent slog downSuther Ridge (fantastic flowers) to the sand dunes and back to the cars by about 15h00.
Thanks to the team (Stefan Braun, Heleen du Toit, Sally Swart, Dana Goldberg, Michael Ender, Richard Ferguson, Jan vanderpoll, Rob Satchell, Joanne Wylie, Richard von Seidel, Kim Kruyshaar and Sanneke Brok) for yet another lovely day on the mountain… and special thanks to Stefan for taking photos.
Penelope Brown
