The July hike #3

Without making one aware of the incline the trail gently lead us higher and higher on the slope of Kannonkop.  All along the trail we came upon this tell tale sign.

Yes, droppings, but not a buck in sight.  As we progressed higher the wind increased in velocity making keeping one’s balance almost an art.  At last we reached the summit.

The cannon on Kannonkop

Here we took a refreshment break trying to shield ourselves form the wind and especially the forceful gusts contained within it.

Some hikers trying to shield themselves

From the summit one gets some beautiful views of False Bay and the coastline below.

Having regained our breath and quenched the thirst we continued the hike but this time descending.  The trail itself changed from easy/moderate to difficult and tricky calling for concentrated footwork and balancing while buffeted by the gale.

Was shortly after the above pic that I slipped and met my mishap.

More pics to follow.  Have a super Sunday.

July hike, an almost disaster #1

Yesterday we had our July hike at Cape Point.  The chosen trail is known as the Kannonkop (Cannon Hill)/ Venus Pool trail.  In contrast to all previous hikes I will mildly call this hike somewhat miserable but blessed with good fortune at the end.  Weatherwise it was close to a disaster.  Not only was the sky well overcast keeping us in a state of semi-darkness which actually placed photography on the back burner, but we had to hike in a wind close to gale force which made the going rather difficult in the sense that keeping one’s balance took preference to all other aspects of what could have been a pleasure of being outdoors enjoying the delights of nature.  Temperature – it was freezing!

Daybreak greeting us to the hike

Ready for the start

A windblown tree

This tree survived the force of wind in its heydays

The hike itself almost ended in a disaster.  The higher we went the stronger the wind became and along with struggling to keep ones balance it was virtually impossible to put the camera to the use it was intended for due to bad light and one’s body swaying to keep one’s balance.  On the way down the mishap occurred.  I stepped on a loose stone that gave way and aided by the gale force wind lost my balance and went head over heals down the slope.  Fortunately my backpack got caught on a protruding rock and pinned me down before I could have involuntary descend some ten meters or more down the mountain. There I lay my back on a rock ledge, bum and legs protruding in a void up in the air with my hands gripping the rocky ledge to prevent me falling further down the mountain.  Then it dawned on me that in fact the backpack had me securely pinned down on the rock ledge and the only way out was to release myself from the backpack.  At that stage the last thing in my mind was injuries except fighting to prevent the cramp in my left calf from gaining the upper hand.  With the aid of a fellow hiker who heard my call for help we managed to release me from the backpack and get me pulled back on the rock ledge in order to swing my legs onto the ledge and not fall to the far down below.  At last I could get back on my feet, retrieve the backpack and my precious camera and I could hobble forth on the rocky trail with a left leg in, to put it mildly, a pretty poor state with a terribly bruised knee and a lacerated left hand donating ample blood to nature (later it came to light that small cuts bleed more than a decent proper cut!).

On that happy note that I did not become a statistic I will close this part down and tomorrow post the the last of the few pics I did manage to take.  With a stiff leg and some hitherto unknown muscles in the body that are now noticeable I wish all a happy start to the weekend.

Closed

Thanks to a rock fall the hiking trail to the summit of Lion’s Head is closed for safety reasons.

So we will have to walk on the beach.

Have a super Friday preparing for the weekend.

April 2015 Hike #6

The final stretch of the trail was spectacular in any manner, but was a killer on the thighs and the feet.  Add to this that once we got into the open we had to endure a temperature of 33C (91.4F).

Looking down from a dizzy hight.

The Kirstenbosch reservoir virtually empty showning the urgent for the winter rains to come.

Hitting the hot return stretch.

Four more kilometers to go.

That concludes the April hike which was challenging and left one with sore legs and feet but with a feeling of satisfaction that it was done.  Have a blessed day.

April Hike #5

A moss covered stone passed on the way.

Having a breather break to let the leg muscles rest a bit.

A sunny break for a few meters.

The King Proteas are getting ready to go into full bloom.

A weathered rock along the trail.

This moss covered kranz is actually a waterfall in the rainy season, but now a hardly visible trickle of water feeds it.

Midweek again so enjoy the day.

April Hike #3

As we slowly gained hight we still has some pleasant views to enjoy before entering the forest section of the trail, but by now one could feel the sting in the heat of the morning sun.

A protruding boulder above the trail.

A farmhouse and vineyards far down below.

Final view on Muizenberg to the south before we reached the shady section under the trees to our way up to the waterfall.

Remains of a tree that grew in a boulder cluster.

Enjoy a super start to the new week.

The April hike #1

Yesterday we hiked the Constantia Neck trail.  Was long hike, almost four hours and as the fickle finger of fate wanted it, it was also one of those last days that summer tried burn the energy out of one.  The trail itself had easy comfortable sections and sections that sapped the energy out of demanding utmost energy from the legs and feet. Without further ado let the photos speak of what wee saw visually on the hike.

Still easy going at the start.

View over the Cape Flats.

A rocky outcrop above the trail.

Rotting logs along the trail.

End of the week so enjoy the Friday preparing for the weekend.

Fire

Since yesterday afternoon a large portion of the Table Mountain National Park has been subjected to a most destructive fire which started on the Muizenberg mountain.  Arial water bombardment of the fire yesterday, Sunday, was rendered impossible due to a near gail force South Easter.  Evacuations of people took place during the night and a number of homes were either damaged or burnt down.  Latest news is that it may take another three days before the fires are extinguished provided the South Easter behaves itself.  Below a few photos I took from a far distance this morning.  I decided wisdom dictates that I do not try and get as close as possible a spectators are not welcomed by the fire fighters as we can pose obstructions, so I paid heed to the stay away calls transmitted on radio stations.

Smoke covered mountain range seen from home.  Distance like the crow flies about six kilometers (just on 3 miles) way.

This fire portion on Muizenbarg is close to the suburb of West Lake.

Smoke, smoke and smoke above the Steenberg estate.

Smoke from the fire above West Lake seen from the M3 freeway.

An arial water bomber passing over our house on the way to his target.

The camera will be back in the supermarket tomorrow morning.

Enjoy the day.

Tokai forest hike #1

Had our first ladies with male protection hike of the year.  The hike was on the right hand trail of the Tokai Forest hike.  The trail it self is moderate, but there is one rocky stone shed track that took its toll on the feet,  As far as views on the country side is concerned it was somewhat of a great disappointment, but for the rest, yes, by being sharp the photographer can catch a few great ones.  The hike itself took four hours and believe when I say my feet felt horrors at the end.  I think I must go and get new insteps for my boots, but that is a future advent.  And now on the hike words are basically uncalled for as the photos will do the talking.

Grouping for the hike.

And we are off on the trail.

The Eucalyptus that gave us temporary shade against the heat.

Victims od the saw.

Victim of time that can cause rotting.

More to follow.  Evening her, so enjoy yours, or morning maybe.

Looking down

Looking down on the Cape Flats from the Crags, Table Mountain National Park.

Enjoy a lovely day.