It must be an MCSA record for the shortest Thursday hike – 3 hours! Fortunately, sections of it were new for many in the group of 11 that set out that day in a blustery wind.
Having shuttled the cars to Cape of Good Hope, we set off from Rooikrans to ascend Vasco da Gama Peak and have tea on its summit amidst the ruins of the radar station, and pleasing views of False Bay and its surrounding mountains. Despite the strong wind and cool temperature, it was easy to descend a few meters for our windless tea stop.
Descending after tea along the ridge to the restaurant gave changing views – we could see the second half of our route that descended to the parked cars.
By the time we took on the board walk along the ridge above Dias beach, the Southeaster was whipping at 30kph! Fortunately, it pushed us towards the land rather than down the cliffs! Despite the strong wind, we descended the 100+ steps to Dias beach, where again we found shelter for our ‘brunch’.
It was special to see the tumultuous ocean in its high tide, waves crashing powerfully and rushing nearly all the way up the beach at times.
Then back up those 100+ steps and being buffeted by that wind as the route continued along the exposed ridge. It was a pleasant surprise to find patches of ferraria crispa so late in the season, and Rod took several other flower photos too.
We stopped at 2 viewpoints before descending to the parked cars, remembering that we had seen zebra, eland and ostrich on the way in.
Photos: Rod Bracher and Helen Laurenson
