The weather forecast had kept us in big doubts for days. But ultimately, the weather could not have been better on Sunday March 19: a sunny day with pleasant temperatures. It was a group of nineteen that started at 9am from Newlands Forest parking. The flowing water in Hiddingh added to the mystic atmosphere of the ravine and everyone enjoyed the tranquil surrounding during a second breakfast stop at the turn of the traverse line. From there we easily managed to scramble up the wooded gully. We remained on the classic route and took in all the fun scrambles during the last traverse section that finally led us into the green gully of Ascension Ravine.
The whole group took the detour to the Pulpit, admiring the stunning views. After a proper lunch break on the upper section of Ascension Ravine, we climbed the last steep and pleasant B-pitch up to the top of the mountain. The whole group finished off via Carrel’s Ledge and reached Smuts Track close to Maclear’s Beacon. While two participants chose the option to take the cable car down, the major part of the party made its way down via Skeleton Gorge and took the most direct trail to Newlands.
Thank you everyone for an amazing hike and yet another memorable day on the mountain. Thanks all for being so supportive, which was key in a group of such size. Thank you for your enthusiasm and for all the fun we had.
Photos by Amitai Meyerowitz, Arie van Wijk, Elodye Davids, Ethan Cox, Johan Fourie, Peter Linder, Stiaan Jordan, Ruth Knoblich