PETER GIDDY.: LADY'S SLIPPER CLIMB WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2015F

CLIMB THE LADY'S SLIPPER WITH A WALKING GROUP AND DANIEL

7TH OCTOBER 2015
Are you travelling to Port Elizabeth? Would you like to an Addo Game Drive or to hike this or another scenic area of PE? I am a licenced Tour Guide and will gladly arrange for a morning or day outing.

portelizabethtours

http://petergiddy.wix.com/portelizabethtours

LADY'S SLIPPER -- PROPERTY OF THE MOUNTAIN CLUB.

CAN BE ACCESSED EITHER FROM HIGHBRAE (WHERE WE STARTED) OR FROM FALCON ROCK. TAKE THE N2 FROM PORT ELIZABETH TOWARDS HUMANSDORP. TAKE THE TURN OFF THAT WOULD TAKE YOU TO WOODRIDGE SCHOOL OR VAN STADENS NATURE RESERVE. DOUBLE BACK UNDER THE FREEWAY AND THEN CARRY ON AS IF GOING TO UITENHAGE. LOOK OUT FOR THE SIGNS -- CLOSE TO THE RAIL CROSSING AND THEN TURN LEFT. A SHORT DRIVE ON A DIRT ROAD TAKES YOU TO HIGHBRAE OR FALCON ROCK.

DANIEL IS READY FOR THIS HIKE

THE LADY'S SLIPPER FROM HIGHBRAE. AT THE BOTTOM IS THE GATE WHERE YOU WILL START THE HIKE. FROM WHAT I CAN MAKE OUT; THIS MOUNTAIN IS 500M AT THE PEAK. THE ROCKS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US, WHEN SEEN FROM THE "OLD CAPE ROAD" TAKE THE SHAPE OF THE BOTTOM OF A LADY'S HIGH HEEL SHOE.
It was supposed to be a walk with Joshua and Ally as well. But Joshua simply did not "feel like it" and Ally had Drama Practice at School. She writes her finals for Matric in Two Weeks and so has to focus on the Practical.

Daniel and I meet up with the rest of the group at William Moffet. We drive to the Slipper in two cars. Today we take the route along the N2 towards Gamtoos. When we get to the van Stadens turn off (which would also lead to Woodridge and the farm where Matthew and Delene are staying); we turn right towards Uitenhage / Rocklands. Just near to the rail crossing we turn left towards Falcon Rock and Highbrae. At Highbrae we turn right into the farm and park our cars. We register for the walk and pay the R20pp. There are 7 of us this morning: Jenny; Rencia; Flo; Lynn: Keith; Daniel and myself.

DANIEL AND THE GROUP CLIMB THE ROCKS

PAUSE TO ENJOY THE VIEWS
The walk starts at this farm and almost immediately we are starting the ascent. It is not steep to start off with but there is a steady climb. We are under Port Jackson Willow canopy and starting to feel the heat. Fortunately Daniel and I have hats and plenty of water. To be able to climb this mountain you must have a reasonable amount of fitness -- aerobic and strength.
Shortly after starting we begin to clamber up rocks and steep "Steps" . Fortunately Jenny stops regularly and we take breathers and water breaks. We check out the Mountain Club cave where stuff for maintaining the pathway is stored. It appears that this reserve belongs to the Mountain club of SA.

DANIEL LEADS THE GROUP WITH KEITH JUST BEHIND -- HERE WE LOOK BACK TO THE RADIO MASTS AS WE APPROACH THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN.

LYNN ZOETMULDER; JENNY SENEKAL AND RENCIA
It does not take us long and we reach the pathway which leads from the Radio Masts side of the mountain. I have done that walk on a previous occasion; at that time there was a lot of complaining from the group regarding the maintenance of the pathway. We walk on and due to the continuous chatter of the group, we miss the left turn to the final section of this walk. I turn around and find the pathway and lead the group up to the top of the mountain. I generally maintain a Sweeper position at the back of the group.

FLO ZOETMULDER WITH THE LONG DISTANCE VIEW OF JEFFREYS BAY IN THE BACKGROUND

DANIEL RELAXES ON THE TOP OF THE HIGHEST POINT ON THE MOUNTAIN

AS WE DESCEND WE PASS THE ROCK FROM WHICH LADY'S SLIPPER TAKES ITS NAME
At the top we admire the views across from Port Elizabeth in the East to Jeffreys bay in the West. Below us are the Falcon Rock and Slipperfields restuarants; the Van Stadens road and rail bridges; the Crossways town development; Woodridge school; the farm where Matthew and Delene live and the wind turbines turning lazily in the breeze.
We enjoy the break with more chatter and a snack before heading back down the way that we have come. Daniel copes amazingly well and hops and skips down the steep and rocky pathways. With the spring rains the mountain and fields are particularly colourful with white Arum Lillies; bushes with pollen swirling around as we brush past; September bush with blue flowers; Protea still in the budding stages.

We have an easy descent to the farm where the cars are parked -- the whole walk has taken us about 2 and a half hours. We had left at 7.45 and back in town before Midday. For this hike you will need a fair amount of strength and aerobic fitness to enjoy it; but most people who are walking fit will cope easily.