Ten of us set out from Cecilia carpark just after 08h00 in calm, cold and wet conditions. There were six cancellations prompted mainly by the rain. Whilst rainy, it was clear enough for us to see the ridge and most of the route up. One of the party retired on the approach path with a stomach ailment and then we were nine. A call was made at the start of the ridge scramble to proceed. All were keen and experienced scramblers although half of the group were initiates to Spilhaus. Everyone exercised extreme caution in the wet and managed the pitches comfortably with varying degrees of elegance. The cloud cover avoided our enjoying any shade during the beverage break which was kept short because of the cold. After completing the last pitch two more members chose to leave at the concrete road to avoid the onset of hypothermia exacerbated by insufficient gear. Then we were seven. The cold and wet discouraged the initiates posing in the Throne. After visiting Hole in the Wall we managed all the corridors except one which was considered too risky in the wet. The rain and cloud also precluded us enjoying the framed spectacle offered at the mandatory overhang. A small break in the cloud did however give us some glimpses down to Hout Bay from the path thereafter.
We all took the tunnel route which was somewhat damp in places, to our lunch venue. The low temperature and wet kept the break short but we were all energised by a member’s generous distribution of his excellent handmade kourabiedes. After lunch we exited through parts of the Enchanted Forest; a privileged treat in any weather. We did the Middle Earth loop which is always fun and all used the hole under the top rock when descending the chimney. On rejoining the road at De Villiers dam the youngest and fittest member ran down quickly as a leg stretch and then we were six. It was decided not to descend via Cecilia Ridge and with a brisk tailwind the principal fragment reached the cars at 14h48
