Twenty-two participants met on the Fishhoek side of Elsies peak at the top of Berg Road (can be difficult to locate, several members got temporarily lost, despite a map) on a pleasantly warm and windless day.
The route climbs first up to the ridge, and then treks rightwards (away from the peak) through delightful unspoiled fynbos with never an alien plant to be seen. An easy gentle climb through varying vegetation and terrain culminates after and hour and a half at the terminal beacon with fine views over Fishhoek and Trappieskop on one side, and the Southern peninsular on the other. After this pleasant tea stop with appropriate repartee, the group wound its way back down the easy slopes to the cars.
Some unique vegetation can be seen on this hike, including the rare peninsular endemic Aloiampelos commixta and an abundance of Satyrium carneum (both illustrated here).
Neil Brathwaite acted as “tail-end Charlie” to help keep the group together, always a necessity in these potentially dangerous times, although the only danger on this occasion tended to come from ardent runners who don’t understand that it is courteous to slow down when passing a large group of (often elderly) hikers!
Overall, a fine excursion in good weather and even better company.
