TSITSIKAMMA HIKING TRAIL OCTOBER 2008.

TSITSIKAMMA HIKING TRAIL
Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th October 2008.

On this trail:
Peter, Barbara & Ally
Angus & Madison
Hannes, Jordan and Amber
Friend of Jordan – Handre
Rob, Megan & Jason and their friends James & Sarah
Fred, Jeremy and Janine
Alex, Lynne and Lara
John, Michael and Greg
Dawn was due to come but had to pull out for work reasons as her computer had ‘crashed’.

The hike was born from an idea of Graeme Gilmour (Walmer Methodist Church)who wanted to encourage family activities. I put out a notice and was pleased to receive an immediate and positive response from church members.

We met before the hike to discuss the logistics and kit requirements. At this stage I could already see that we were going to have a great hike. The youngsters immediately started to bond and there was an electric vibe in our lounge as we spoke about the coming hike. I was able to borrow a number of backpacks. The Glovers’, Perks’ & Scheepers’ were all good to lend out their equipment. These were distributed amoung people who were first time hikers.

On the morning of Friday 3rd October I was up early and made a few final preparations and packed the food that was in the fridge. Ally’s pack would be a little heavier than she was used to but I thought that it was about time that she started to carry for herself. The pack that she would use was one borrowed from the Perk’s. We met at the church and were able to leave at about 09.30.

We had been a bit concerned about the weather as we had seen some nasty predictions on the news. But the day looked fine and I was looking forward to a great three days ahead. Alex was in St Francis and had arranged to meet us en route. Barbara had forgotten her walking stick and after a quick stop at home we were on our way. Hannes took his Combi, Rob has a big Pajero, John has a station wagon and we had our Toyota with Angus and Madison driving with us.

We stopped at Humansdorp to wait for Alex but the wind was bitingly cold and we decided to press on as far as Storms River. On our way we saw two experimental Solar Powered vehicles heading towards PE. They looked more like a large Frisbee than a car. But it is interesting to think that people will continually be looking out for alternative energy. There was construction at the bridge and we were able to chat while we waited.

Hannes pointed out that I had been speeding and probably would receive a speeding fine for going over 60kph along the bypass section. The youngsters jumped out of the cars and walked across the bridge. At Storms River we stopped for a toilet break and pressed on to the Lottering Station where we would leave a car and park the rest of them at Boskor.

Fortunately Barbara decided to walk to the office where she met up with Nadia. Nadia had done the bookings but I had made a Boo boo! We were not going to hike the section that I had planned and so had to get back into our cars and drive through the toll gate to the Blaaukrans Forest station. Here we again parked cars and John & I drove back to Lottering where we would leave our cars to be collected at the end of the hike. Alex, Hannes and Rob left their vehicles at Blaaukrans. As we returned to where they were waiting I made my next mistake. I put my car keys into Hannes’ Combi. Doff! How was I to drive my car back to collect the others if the keys were at the start? Ah well! No worries. John had kept his keys with him.

After a bit of back pack adjustments we set off on the trail up to the Blaaukrans hut. It was a Forest Road and really very easy walking. All uphill. As we walked we were able to see the Blaaukrans River Bridge where the Bungy Jumping takes place. At one stage we were looking down into deep gorges and valleys. Stunning views. The distance from the forest station where we had parked to the overnight hut was about 6kays and it took us about 2 hours of easy walking to reach the hut.

Fred must have reached the hut first as he came back to see if he could help with anyone who was struggling. I was one of the last to the hut and discovered that the young group had secured exclusive use of one of the rooms. There were about 12 to 15 beds in the form of triple bunks in each room. Madison had wanted to know if she was going to be in her own room. However I think that she was delighted to be in a room with so many other children.

We got the fire going and then walked down to the stream below. From the balcony of this hut you look down to the stream and waterfall. Handre and Jordan were doing some cliff hanging as they sat on the edge of the waterfall. I tried to get them to step back, as it would be me who would have to face Jacqui’s fury if something happened to Jordan. But they seemed confident and Fred joined them for a swim in the pool. I was a bit more conservative and swam with James and Jason in one of the upper pools. These two boys had a ball as they looked for frogs and tadpoles. The water was chilly but bearable. This was my wash for the day.

Back up at the boma area the kettle was already boiling and we were able to make ourselves coffee. We settled into our rooms and unpacked the evening supper allocation. Barbara & I had decided to treat ourselves. Now you have to understand the dynamics of hiking with our groups. Each evening or meal time there is an unspoken rivalry as to who can be the most inventive and who will have the most luxuries. Normally what we do is set out snacks which can include muscles or oysters on crackers, Biltong and any other delicacies that we can think of.

This evening I had a plate with cauliflower, carrots and chips with a dip. Rob added some biltong and cashews and we passed this around while we opened our beers & sherry. Then I opened our pack of Tiger Prawns that we had brought for the evening. At the last hike Fred had shown me the special rice that he had bought and I used this idea with the Prawns. I put some Chinese rice on the fire in a dixie. I had brought some premixed olive oil and butter to fry the prawns and once they had turned a bright pink I served Barbara & I a meal that would have rivalled any that you could prepare at home.

Ally does not eat prawns so I braaied boerewors and served this in rolls for her. Immediately after the braaing was done, the marshmallows came out and soft, burnt, sticky marshmallows were served up as a dessert. The temperature dropped quickly as we sat enjoying the evening. The sky was clear and stars shined as bright as you will see anywhere. Barbara went off to bed and I followed soon afterwards. The youngsters were having a great time in their room. Singing, chatting and playing.

Saturday morning. I had slept fitfully as I generally do on hard uncomfortable bunk beds. Tough! During the night I had felt something run across my sleeping bag. The window was open next to me and I thought it was a mouse. Only after I had announced that there was a mouse in the room and had explained this in detail to everyone and sundry, did Barbara tell me that the mouse was her hitting me with a pillow to stop me snoring! How embarrassing.

John had slept outside in the boma on a table and Rob & Jason had slept on the floor next to the fireplace. They must have frozen. It was really chilly that night and there is no protection against the breeze. I put the fire on for morning coffee and one by one the rest of the group emerged. It was still quite cold but as the sun came up it became warm. Barbara & I had agreed that coffee and rusks would be our breakfast. The main consensus amoungst the hikers seemed to be Oats so easy or plain porridge.

At about 08.00am we managed to group together for a photo and then headed down the pathway for day two of our hike. I always wonder at how quickly we climb on hikes like this. In no time we were looking back down at the hut where we had stayed. The path took us up and then down to a stream in the forest. Here we stopped for a rest and a snack. And then headed off to the next stop which was to be at the 5kay mark.

We could see the rest of the group down at the stream long before we worked our way down. Here there is a crossing of the river with a chain. The last time we crossed the river was flowing strongly and we really had to use the chain. This time however the river was a gentle flow and once across, we found a wonderful place to relax, suntan, eat and swim. I saw Greg and Handre having a race across the pool. This looked like fun until I got into the water. I cannot remember ever being in such cold water. It was really bitingly cold. But the swim did our legs and muscles good. Refreshing was an understatement. I think that everyone was impressed to see Lynne in her bathing costume and also jump into the water.

After a good relaxing break we headed up hill. This was a long climb. Below we could see the stream flowing down to our pool. Across the valley was a sentinel Baboon barking a warning to the troop. The next section of hiking was heavy going. We walked along the contour of the mountain. The pathway was tough and there were continuous sets of ups and downs as each stream that we passed was a little valley that we had to go through. Ally was not feeling her best and Barbara had a sore back / side that she was battling with.

We plodded on slowly and made steady headway. Finally we came up to John, Rob and his little group and Ally managed to stay with them. Barbara & I then took it easy for a while. John had been studying the map and had pointed out where he thought the next camp should be located. We reached a small forest section where there was a reasonable stream. Each time we came across water I would fill my bottle. As we emerged from this wooded area we decided to take a break. Barbara closed her eyes and I took out my book to read.

The break had lifted our spirits and we headed down the pathway and then turned left along a forest road. From here we continued in an easterly direction for a short while before heading left up on to the pathway again. We again reached the forest road and saw a sign which indicated that we had 1.5kays to go to Keurbos. This would be the road that we would have to walk along the next morning, back to the Lottering Forest station. Ahead we could see Rob and Jason. As you near the huts you pass some pools called Twin Tubs. I had swum there before when we did a hike with family. These pools provide a really freezing swim opportunity. Rob had noticed the animal trap and took some people back to examine it later.

That afternoon we must have reached the hut at about 16.00. There seemed to be quite a bit of activity around the hut. The fires were burning, people were showering and a few hikers took the mattresses off the beds and laid them on the grassy area for an afternoon nap. I was looking forward to my coffee and was happy to see that the kettle was boiling. Chatting to the rest of the group I realised that it was not only us who had battled with the afternoon walk. Angus was quite weary, Fred looked like he was glad to be in camp and the sleeping bodies on the grass told a story as well.

That evening Barbara & I prepared a potato with Bacon, cheese, spinach, onion and mushroom topping. We had this with a hamburger and marshmallows as desert again. A really substantial and delicious meal. After supper and a few drinks we were pretty exhausted and were in bed early again. The youngsters had commandeered one of the huts and were having a great time together. Some of the adults stayed up a little later but I could hardly keep my eyes open.

The mattresses are pretty thin and with sore limbs I did not sleep too well and was happy to see that first light was just emerging. The boma area was empty that morning and Angus & I got the fire going for early morning coffee. As more people emerged a variety of breakfasts were prepared before we were ready to set off at about 08.00am. Rob & Janine were suffering with blisters and did a bit of doctoring. Janine had told me that she remembered our Jacqui from Church Youth Groups.

The road back to Lottering started off with an uphill but the forest road is easy going and we were soon back to where we had met up with the road the previous day. As we walked, John told us some very interesting facts about GIS mapping (Geographic Information Systems). The use of GIS mapping and how a variety of information is used for farming, development and all kinds of studies. We walked at a steady pace and reached the stream crossing the road where we estimated the 5 kay mark to be. Here we stopped for a break and to regroup.

I was really happy with our food provisions as we finished the last of our food supply at this point. I often over cater and take stuff home that I have lugged along for days on the trail. After a good rest we hitched up again and walked down to the weir of the Lottering river at the bottom of the valley before a steady climb up again. At the River we realised that we had already walked 7 kays and had just over four kays to go.

The last section of the hike was not too tough and we finally emerged back at the forest station about 4 hours after we had started off that morning. Fred and Handre were first in. Our little group was next and Ally, Lara, Greg and I had a little sprint to the finish. As each group came in we encouraged them to run in at the finish and this added fun to the end of a good hike. John loaded Rob, Hannes and Alex into his car and they went off to collect the other vehicles from the Blaaukrans forest station.

Those who were left behind either relaxed with closed eyes or played around on the grass. As soon as they returned with the vehicles, we loaded our stuff and drove through to Storms River where we purchased an unhealthy combination of burgers, chips, milkshake and coffee. All our hard work over the past few days was lost to burgers in a few minutes! Once we were back onto the N2 we took just under two hours to reach home. I really love the whole thing of going on an outing like this but I also love getting home. The thought of a hot shower, coffee and a remote control was really enticing. My body was tired and sore and we spent most of the remainder of the afternoon on the couch as we chatted about the hike.

Response from parents:
From: Cheryl Kotze [mailto:info@jksurvey.com]
Sent: 12 October 2008 08:03 PM
To: Peter Giddy
Subject: Re: Tsitsikamma Hiking Group October 2008 Report.

Well done Peter! Nice to read all you got up to!!

Dear Peter

Thanks so much for all you did to organise this hike. Sara THOROUGHLY enjoyed it and I believe from many people that she coped very well. We are so proud of her.

Tindal really battles with his knees from old rugby injuries and could never manage the up and downs of hiking. We do walk a lot along the flat beach at low tide and Sara thoroughly enjoys that too, but
this was a privilege and a blessing for her to be part of. Thank you, I appreciate it.

Jacquie

Dear Peter

Thanks you very much for this report – it brought back a lot of memories for me of my hiking days! It really sounds as if you had a great time and certainly achieved objectives I had in mind if terms of giving families quality time to spend together, and kids a chance to socialise in good company and a healthy environment, all as part of the WMC community. Many thanks for taking it on. I very much hope that we can move forward with what I see to be a valuable ministry.

With that in mind I would ask you, if you have not already decided to do so, to attend the men’s breakfast on Saturday. We are going to do some serious thinking about where men can fit into the vision we have for WMC and what you have done here is an example of what others can do with a little bit of imagination and thought. I think you could have a useful contribution to make, so please come if possible.

Graeme
Dear Peter

Thanks for initiating and enabling an obviously special adventure for part of our family at Walmer Methodist.

I hope we will get more of these going in time to come. I expect that those who went won’t miss out in future but hope others will find the time and take the opportunity.

Blessings

Jonathan