The saga continues: it was time to do the Limietberg trail for this group of 14 for whom it kept being postponed, but the day was due to reach 32C and that was not advisable on a no-shade, no water, no wind route. The group agreed to opt for the 8km easy kloofing Rockhopper route in Bain’s Kloof along the slow-flowing Witte River. The plan was to start at Tweede Tol, turn around at the beautiful halfway-mark pool, back to Tweede Tol. Then one of our party tantalised us with a photo of ‘hole in the roof waterfall’ (photo), which we became determined to find.
We began the day with a group photo, which beautifully illustrates the different dress codes interpreted by the members – not to speak of the backpack choices not shown on the photo! – the majority of us being inexperienced kloofers. The route starts with a reasonably long compulsory swim at 8:00. Fortunately, the water was happily and unexpectedly only cool, so not too many loud gasps on entry. On the outbound route, the idea was to follow the driest possible route (no path), only swimming in big pools, and on the way back to take on every possible pool when it was really hot and we needed cooling down. Although swimming upstream, the river flows so slowly that one doesn’t realise it at all, and the downstream is also so gentle that it doesn’t seem to be of any help at all!
When we came to the turnoff to find that secret waterfall it was such a hard decision: we had promised the security staff at Tweede Tol (which was opened for us as a special concession – it was actually still closed for renovations) that we would be back by 16:00, and this recce-detour of 500m up the side kloof and back would add at least an extra hour. But the temptation was too great, and we arrived at a compromise to turn back after a pre-determined time if we hadn’t reached it. Sadly, we did not reach the waterfall, but later, on a track from Jane’s watch, realised how close we had got! All are geared for a next-time discovery!
The route is strewn all the way with thousands of rounded river rocks of varying size, some large flat rock areas, a bit of shrubbery along the banks, and pools varying in depth from 3m to 30cm. It all makes for relatively slow going, and zigzagging across the river adds distance. The group spread out, each finding their own pace and route between leader and tail-end-Charlie. Whenever we came to a large flat rock section we re-grouped, then continued. At our breaks, the contents of our backpacks were unpacked from their layers of zip-lock bags, to be re-packed carefully for the next stage. Wet sarmies are not fun.
Having spent that extra time on the recce, we decided to stop short of the actual lunch pool, at an inviting long pool for our lunch break, before starting the return trip, ending once again with that compulsory swim with our tired bodies at the end of a satisfying and enjoyable day. It was becoming clear that we had had a full body workout – some bound to be stiff the next day (confirmed!)
A few little surprises along the way were a delightful little orchid, disa caulescens (photo) and an unusual geissorhiza. And multiple strings of tiny black beads lying in the water!! (photo) What? It turned out to be a leopard toad’s strings of eggs while being laid. If you enlarge the photo, you will see part of the toad under the rock. On our return swim through one of the pools, a cormorant sat on a rock, unperturbed by our presence as we swam past, possibly wondering where all the fish were with us disturbing the peace.
Photos: Stephen Richardson
