On time and keen, 14 participants arrived at Newlands Forest to enjoy once more the beauty we have on our doorstep. They even agreed to implement the leader’s proposal of forming an ‘elastic chain’ when stringing out. (A formation that, if applied correctly, typically results in a zero attrition rate. Which is always a good thing.)
We warmed up with a gradual climb to King’s Blockhouse, where the real fun began. Mowbray Ridge starts off with a classic and most enjoyable ridge scramble. From the old fire lookout hut, we followed the rest of the ridge. Along the way, Penny showed us the very special Erica abientina diabolis: Devil’s Heath, a critically endangered subspecies to be found only on the northern slopes of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak (picture).
We passed the turn-off to the top contour path, and scrambled across Knife Edge and to the top of Minor Peak. The weather was ideal, with high cloud all day and only a light northwesterly at times. We felt sorry for those still stuck in morning traffic into Town.
After a decent second breakfast, we dropped to the col above First Waterfall Ravine and worked our way up the grassy northeastern flank of Devil’s Peak. At the rock band, we traversed to the left. Once on the eastern side, we took care to scramble to a ledge at the next higher level. The alternative – carrying on along the footpath at the same level, trodden by the unaware – is bound to stir up unnecessary feelings of loneliness.
The ledge is a joy to traverse, with care, and presented no difficulties. Around the corner at the end of the traverse, we climbed a series of cracks before reaching the summit of Devil’s Peak. The last crack, although doable under dry conditions, can be awkward. A few of the participants opted for the bypass: a footpath to the left and up along a grassy route to the top.
At the top of Devil’s Peak, the views were too beautiful to ignore. A tea break was obligatory, even though we weren’t necessarily hungry again by then. On our way down, at the Saddle path, we bumped into a jovial Irish visitor, who happily agreed to take a group photo for us.
The descent was down Newlands Ravine, interrupted only by a lunch stop at the round table on the upper boardwalk.
We were back at the cars after just over six hours.
Picture credits: Ashley Dowds, Colin Levitan, Julie Dyer, Kathinka van Eeden, Laetitia Riera, Margaret Moller, Penny Brown, Christo Steyn.
