Due to rain forecast on our normal Thursday meet, we changed it to Wednesday at the last minute, for which an enthusiastic 6 of us managed to sign up. The weather was perfect, and the tall fynbos was dry along the very narrow paths. (We had packed waterproof longs but never needed them this day.)
By now the leader had become used to seeing buck on the slopes in that area, so with an invitation to look out for same one of the party sighted a small group of young gemsbok (tiny or no horns) on the lower slopes. Tea was once again on a rocky section along the path under indigenous trees, from where we branched up to the Stellenbosch MCSA hut ruin. Having paid our respects there we began the ascent along the narrow zigzag path on the steep upper slopes to the viewpoint-summit. The changed views are always a surprise as we exit from the slopes onto the buttress head, and to have 360 degree views during lunch was a treat. We weren’t quite sure which way to face!
Today, on the way down, the group was invited to do a detour to a nearby waterfall and it turned out to be worthwhile. The water was not falling abundantly, but is was certainly pretty. In fact there were 2 waterfalls; one with a tempting, unreachable ‘bowl’ at its top, and the water descending in bead-strings, and the other one taller with an attractive ribbon falling into a shallow pool. (See photos)
From there we descended via the direct route through fynbos to the bottom jeep track from where we were treated to a small group of adult gemsbok grazing. We were back to the cars 5.5 hours from start.
Photos: Jean-Paul Van Belle, Trevor Rennison
