Photograph Credit: Derek Odendaal. Paardeberg Spitz, Romanskraal, Langeberg Mountains.
The South Cape section last hosted the Annual National camp in 2013 and, this year, it was again our honour to welcome MCSA members from far and wide. Based at Swartvlei Caravan park in Sedgefield, with the sea 200 metres to the South, the vlei running along the Northern perimeter and the Outeniqua mountains framing the backdrop, there are few more beautiful settings to be enjoyed – clearly the resident monkey population wholeheartedly agree as they were never far away!
A schedule of meets had been circulated in advance – three local hikes per day over the entire week with mountain, coast and forest options, provided something for everyone. For the more adventurous, prepared to travel further afield, there were three overnight excursions, one in the Tsitsikamma mountains (1 night), one in the Langeberg (2 nights) and another in the Kammanassie mountains (5 nights). There was rock climbing on offer on the Sea Cliffs in Mossel Bay and also closer by at Wolwerivier. For those that just wanted to relax at the campsite an impromptu daily hike was arranged in the very close locality around Sedgefield.
The weather also joined the party and served up a varied menu – heavy rain the first evening resulted in a hurried exodus from the evening campfire and there was need for several campers to seek shelter under more permanent nearby cover during the night. The second night we were treated by Mother Nature to a Thunder storm of the very first order – accompanied by the customary lightning of an equally epic proportion it was a rare treat and fortunately the associated precipitation was relatively benign. The first day’s weather was the only one that came close to upsetting the schedule but early enthusiasm overcame initial reluctance and it is of note that not a single planned meet during the planned week had to be cancelled due to unfavorable weather. The Garden Route has always been renowned for its ability to serve four seasons in a day and it’s this variation that attracts and appeals to many. On the Wednesday which coincided with two of the tougher climbs (Peak Formosa and Camphersberg) temperatures soared to the mid 30’s and all participants certainly felt this in the later half of the day as they descended from the peaks.
On Saturday 15th at the end of the first day of activities 66 MCSA members convened at Roisie’s Upstairs Steak Restaurant above the Sedgefield Golf Club for the occasion of the National Annual Dinner. We were entertained between courses by a masterful geological explanation from our guest speaker Fred van Berkel who successfully condensed 140 million years of geological history into 15 mins and enlightened us all on the formation of the Baviaanskloof “Slot” canyons.
To close the week 80 members ( both campers and local members ) assembled at the Swartvlei campsite on the final Friday evening for a delicious Spit Braai. We were honoured by the presence of Mervyn and Jean Prior Honorary Members of the South Cape section.
In anticipation of next years National Camp to be organized by the Free State section, Deon du Plessis introduced their plans to those assembled at the braai, so that everyone could leave with something to look forward to next year.
In summary of a week of outdoor activity lived to the full – many mountains were climbed, many rivers crossed, many forests explored, many sundowners enjoyed, many campfires lit, many stories told, many friendships made and many memories fostered that will last a lifetime.
Over the course of the week there were 21 published day hikes, 3 overnight hikes, 1 rock climbing session, with an overall total of 122 participants of which 76 were visitors and 46 were members of the South Cape section.
Click on the link below to access the full report and see photographs of the meet.
