Normally, Hell’s Gate exits at Journey’s End. It is the opinion of a regular hiker on that route that after the next heavy rains the upper section will become dangerous. Trees have fallen over and serious erosion of the loose sand is likely. Our group was not doing that section on this day.
Following the Ring Road from Constantia Nek (photo) we had our tea break where the path leaves the road. Because most of the group had not yet done this route the leader thought it best to demonstrate what lay ahead on the tricky bits, using the low wall at the tea spot to demonstrate (photo).
This kloof is narrow and tree covered. And of course the leader is the first one to come to all the spider webs! (photo). The water level was really low and fortunately the often slippery rocks were dry under foot. At the spot where the tricky bits begin there was a misty waterfall on the opposite side and we could see that ‘there be disas there’ (photo). A rope, which was used by some, was offered at the B-grade rock pitch (photo). The waterfall, our turnaround point, was almost non-existent, although the rock wall down which it usually plunges remained impressive (photo).
Having turned back from there, members were invited to choose their own pool to dunk into while the non-swimmers waited at a comfortable spot.
Back on the Ring Road we re-traced our morning route for a short section to the turnoff to the Basin. We were treated to several blue disas (photo) on our descent to the old pump house where we had our lunch in a pleasing cool spot at a stream (photo).
From there it was a rather hot walk back to the cars, but in good company.
