Eleven of us set out at 07h05 from Theresa in cool and and calm conditions. The steep start up the concrete road was eased by the forest of pincushion (leucospermum). The clear (at this stage) air gave us the opportunity to outline the planned route. The slog up the lower section of Diagonal was well paced and set the tone for the rest of the hike. We easily reached the pitch below Jubilee/Barrier cave which was very dry and capably managed by everybody. We had spectacular mist free views whilst enjoying the beverage break. The traverse around the bases of Barrier, Valken and Kasteels buttresses was spectacular as usual and all done in welcome shade. Particularly impressive was the large display of flowering bright yellow moraea at the surprisingly dry Barrier waterfall.
Easily climbing the initial pitches up Postern we reached the nek with Wood Buttress and had a replenishment stop. After some discussion it was decided to take the scrambling route up Postern. This was competently managed by everyone with varying degrees of elegance and willingly assisted by the two strong men. Whilst we took the scenic route to the top, a westerly breeze had started which caused the views below to be whited out. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch in the yellowwoods atop Postern and exited through Rendezvous cave to the Apostles path. At the top of the KP descent, an advance party of three hurried down. The rest of us took it easy and were grateful for the mist which avoided the energy sapping heat that KP inflicts in the afternoon. We were all safely back at the cars at 15h05 after stopping for a pic of the principal fragment with a pincushion and the buttresses as a backdrop.
