TO HIKE THIS OR ANY OF THE MANY WALKS AND TRAILS AROUND PORT ELIZABETH -- CONTACT PETER GIDDY -- QUALIFIED TOUR GUIDE -- PETER WILL OFFER THE BEST POSSIBLE OPTION FOR YOU AND MAKE ALL THE REQUIRED ARRANGEMENTS.
These walks and hikes are normally around 2 - 3 hours duration and are quite achievable to someone who has a reasonable amount of fitness.
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LADIES SLIPPER MOUNTAIN CLIMB -- PORT ELIZABETH
Sunday 21st August 2016
It is a beautiful morning. Sun is shining and no rain or wind.
So I talk to Joshua and Daniel and we decide to walk up the Ladies Slipper.
The Ladies Slipper is a mountain climb / hike that is available and reasonably do-able for any fit person. Children manage it easily.
The mountain is about 30km outside of Port Elizabeth on the N2 on the road to Cape Town. If you find the Van Stadens Turn off this is the route to the mountain. Opposite the Woodridge School.
We leave shortly after 10.30am. Drive on the N2 past the Baywest shopping mall and on towards Van Stadens nature reserve turn off.
As we drive we can see the mountain peak to our left. I have been here a number of times. I took Daniel with me on one previous occasion. And they were at the area of the radio towers a few years ago when we went there to "count chameleons" one evening.
This will be the first time that both of them climb with me.
We find the Van Stadens turn off. If we turn to the left we would be at Woodridge and also at the farm where Delene and Matthew are staying. We turn right and under the N2 bridge. The road we take would be the "Old Cape Road" and doubles back towards PE. And then at the Rail Line crossing the Slipperfields Restaurant is on the right, we take the left turn towards Falcon Rock. It is about 1km of bad dirt road.
At Falcon Rock we register for the Hike
Josh and Daniel have brought a Hiking Stick each. We start walking with our small backpacks with water and a snack.
The pathway starts climbing almost immediately. And if you are not careful you may become despondent as your heart rate and breathing takes time to settle down. From my point of view all I see is the back of these two boys and I listen to their enthusiastic chatter. I continue at my own pace and try to steady my breathing.
The pathway itself is not difficult although there are rocks and a bit of clambering to be done; but every step is uphill and it is said that the very best "Calorie Burning" exercise is to climb as you push your own body weight up with each step. I have my dicey knees to worry about as well.
We reach the first look out rock. Here we rest a few minutes and drink some water. Then up an onwards as the rock climbing part becomes necessary and you use both hands and feet. It has been raining quite a bit and this side of the mountain faces South East so does not get that much sun. The path and rocks are slippery and care should be taken not to injure or twist an ankle.
Fortunately we walk in the shade for most of the climb.
At the second look out rock we are now about 2/3rds of the way to the top and have wonderful views of the landscape below; we can see Woodridge; Delene's home; the Wind Turbines; Jeffreys Bay; Summerstrand and Falcon Rock below where our car is parked.
The last bit to the flat part of the mountain is not difficult. We walk the path and then turn left up the final bit to the top where we find three other groups enjoying the views and sunshine. One group has Strawberries and beers.
We have our snacks and drinks; take some pics and then shortly start our descent.
While the descent is not as aerobic, we have to be careful that we don't slip or injure ourselves. I have to be ultra careful that I don't injure knees.
We meet up with a number of groups both on the way up and down. This is a popular hiking trail on a Sunday like today.
Much to the delight of Josh and Daniel, a farm Labrador joins us on the return to the restaurant. The dog knows the trail and also where to find water in the rock pools. At one time I take a wrong turn only to be informed by the boys that the dog has continued straight. The Labrador is our guide over this section.
The whole hike takes less than two hours. We don't stay for the Burger Lunch but I would recommend it to other walkers. For R100 you can buy a delicious burger meal and cold drink.
A great bit of exercise and fun outing for a Sunday morning.
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