We had a strong SE wind to contend with on our ascent of Porcupine Ravine. Fortunately it had abated somewhat by the time we reached the top. Tea was enjoyed amongst a group of cavernous rocks on Ark Ridge which gave us shelter from the wind.
We then started on the most interesting part of the hike covering a part of the mountain very seldom visited. This was evident from the overgrown state of the already vague path that we followed. The feature of the descent into upper Ark Valley is the seemingly impossible line that is taken. After losing the path a few times and having to find it again, we eventually reached the Kitchen Ravine path and were soon enjoying the far reaching views from St Michaels Peak.
We then descended on another off-path route towards Backwater Stream and then on to Junction Pool where we joined Upper Disa Stream below Junction Peak. We stopped at the pool for an early lunch before descending via Kasteels Poort.
Our party of 16 were back at the cars shortly after 2:30pm.
photos by Don Jepson
