The party set off in perfect weather soon after 07h30 from the parking on Chapman’s Peak Drive following the East Fort/Constantia Nek path. Not long after reaching the high point we left the path after the dry stream and headed up the rugged mountain slope to the infestation of pines and hakea where we spent a few hours cutting the very spiny Rock Hakea (Hakea gibosa) and some Silky Hakea (H. sericea), both particularly troublesome invasive alien species from Australia and serious invaders of the mountains in both the Western and Eastern Cape.
The pines turned out to be canary pines (Pinus canariensis) which require herbicide as they coppice badly if not treated appropriately, so we opted to leave them be for another day… with the right equipment! Two of the party had never hacked before and must be congratulated for their sterling efforts, and great company! Tea-time treated us to glorious views of Hout Bay and the surrounding mountains, and shortly after noon we descended to the path once more, continued along the contour and descended via the very welcome coolth of the Baviaans Waterfall and back to the cars, and home.
Thank you all for contributing to the well-being of our beautiful mountains while having fun at the same time!