PETER GIDDY.: TSITSIKAMMA HIKING TRAIL -- HEUNINGBOS AND SLEEPKLOOF

TSITSIKAMMA HIKING TRAIL -- HEUNINGBOS AND SLEEPKLOOF

TAEGAN VAN ZYL & FRIEND KAITLIN
CRONJE; CLAUDINE & BENJAMIN VAN ZYL
ANDREW JONAS
KEVIN AND VIV MITCHELL
DANNI AND DAVE CHANTLER
GORDON; SHELLEY AND JOSIE TURNER WITH FRIEND JASMINE

BENJAMIN AND TAEGAN SET FOR THE FINAL STRETCH

BENJAMIN -- BACKPACK AND HIKING STICK IN HAND.
This is the group that supported Taegan to achieve her 25k hike for a school award.
We had planned this walk for a couple of months. Some hikers had to pull out for a number of reasons. Finally the group settled down and we laid our final plans.
We met on Friday morning at Cronje and Claudine at about 10.00am. And left in three cars at 10.30am. In my car was Andrew, Kevin and Viv. Cronje had his family in his car and Gordon had their family plus Dave and Danni.
We met at the Paul Sauer (Storms River) bridge and then on to Boscor where we dropped the group off before taking two of the cars back to Storms and leave my car at Boscor. Cronje; Gordon and I walk back to the gate where we had dropped the group and start off with our walk.
Once we were all grouped together we are able to stat the hike proper.
The hike from Boscor to Heuningbos is all along the jeep track and forest road. It is an uphill climb for most of the way. Through the gate and then over the hill down to the hut.

Once at the hut we meet up with a group of four men from PE: Reinardt; Dale; Jack and Greg (if I remember correctly). They have walked the entire way from Natures Valley carrying their own, very heavy, packs.
Josie; Jasmine and Benjamin are the first to get into the river for a swim. Then a couple of us join them: Claudine has a quick swim; I dunk myself in and out; Taegan and Kaitlin then make fun of splashing around -- bearing in mind that the water is freezing cold. But these two are Schyncro girls and are used to being in the water.

Kevin and Viv walk down to the stream and I think that Kevin feels that he cannot miss the opportunity and so he is soon in the water swimming across the pool. The water is cold but also refreshing. An improvement on a cold dripping shower.
Later on we sit in the Lapa area and play some scrabble before lighting the fire.
Sun sets early and we are soon enjoying cold beverages and delicious braaied meat and a variety of add ons such as salads and vegetables.

There are just two rooms in this hut complex. We allow the four men their own room and the 15 of us fit into one room which has a total of 18 bunk beds. The mattresses are fairly comfortable and so it does not take long before everyone is asleep.
It is a clear night so seems to be cold for some of us. I am cosy in my sleeping bag and have a good nights rest.

Saturday morning.
Most of us will be leaving our bags for the bakkie to take to the next hut. Just Taegan; Andrew and Kevin will be carrying a full pack.
As is expected when so many sleep in one room, we are up early and someone puts the fire on and we have a kettle going with hot water for porridge and coffee.

We pack up and start walking shortly after 7.30am. This morning is overcast and there is a bit of a chilly westerly blowing. Andrew and I leave a few minutes after the rest have gone. The first three kays are basically uphill and over the saddle that we could see from the huts. This section takes us an hour and a half and this is the pace we continue walking for the day. Two kays an hour. This includes stops and rests. Andrew and I take it easy, looking back and down at the views and valleys. I take pics of some of the flowers and bushes that I would like to store for later identification.

We reach the Witteklip river crossing where the rest of the group are waiting for us. They were just ahead of us. We cross this river three times before starting the ascent to the second saddle. As we start the climb, at about 6kays, to the second saddle of the day, we are four in our group: Kevin; Viv; Andrew and myself. I had a visual image of a picnic spot and swim area. But that must have been another leg or another hike altogether.

Kevin calls a rest and snack break. I remember a stream up ahead but cannot remember how far it is. So we stop for a snack; Kevin makes some tea. I have a sleep.
After 15 minutes we are up and going again feeling rested and ready for the next section to the top of the hill. Chatting and walking are good companions and make the climb that much easier. We can now look back at the saddle which we crossed earlier this morning. The whole time Kevin identifies bird calls. I remember him telling us about the Lesser Honey Bird which has a Chrrrrrr kind of call and the Red Hoepoe which has a cackling call.

At the top of the hill at 9kays, we can see below to the N2 and the village. We can also see the huts below. Which are still four kays in front of us.
The pathway takes us all along the ridge for a long way before dropping down to the level of the huts. We take another break and rest -- these breaks are incredibly revitalising. We descend down and down and at the bottom we see the 12k marker and a sign telling us we have 2kays to go. We don't visit the pool as we are now keen to get the walk over with.
This last two kays is relatively easy; under the canopy and on a leafy path. Although there are still a few brief ups and downs. Josie and Jasmine run down to meet us.

At Sleepkloof we find that the rest of the group have been there for about two hours. We took about 7 hours to walk the 14kays while they took just over 5 hours. Our bags are not there yet and the afternoon is still young. So Gordon and I agree to wait for the bakkie to get a lift to my car so that I can bring it back to Storms River Bridge. This will make it just that much easier tomorrow morning.

When the driver James and his assistant arrive, we off load our bags. Gordon; Josie; Jasmine; Dave and I climb into the back of the bakkie and James drives us to Boscor.
On our way we stop at Storms River Village only to find that the liquor shop is closed and so we cannot buy extra beers. But we carry on to Storms River Bridge where I buy myself a Mugg and Bean Sandwich and Coffee. Delicious!
It seems that Dale cut himself and has left for home while we meet the other three chaps on the path and they too have decided to spend the night in civilisation to be able to watch the Rugby. SA vs NZ.
We walk back to the huts and start the fires for our supper and braai. I have the same as last night, Not very imaginative but wholesome and tasty. Steak and vegetables with a Crab Salad.

I Cant keep my eyes open for long. Danni gives us updates on the rugby and the news is not good as we lose 43 - 15 to NZ.

Sunday morning.
It has poured with rain all night. And continues to rain this morning. With cold lashing winds it looks like our final hour of walking back to the Storms River bridge is destined to be miserable.
Everyone is up early. I had slept in a room with Kevin and Viv. while Danni and Dave had one room, the Turners were in another and Cronje's family in the last room.
I had not anticipated an early start but everyone is ready to go by 7am.
Kevin and Viv are having breakfast so take a little longer. And, we can scarcely believe it, but as they step out of their room and as we start the walk; The rain stops and does not fall at all during this little walk to the Bridge and cars.
When we arrive at the cars it is sunny and warm.
We all have ourselves a coffee and sandwich before saying our thanks and goodbyes.

Back in PE; I drop Kevin and Viv and Tristan fetches Andrew.
I unpack my stuff and just as I am about to shower I realise that there is no water pressure. There must be a water problem somewhere in the suburb. So I put the TV on to watch SA play Australia at cricket at St Georges Park. And finally about an hour or two later I treat myself to a long hot shower before having a bit of lunch. SA beat Aus by 6 wickets to take the series to 4 out of five with one match to go in the ODI series.

TSITSIKAMMA HIKING TRAIL --BOSCOR TO HEUNINGBOS; TO SLEEPKLOOF AND ENDING AT THE PAUL SAUER (STORMS RIVER) BRIDGE.

THE TRAIL IN PICTURES.

THE START OF OUR HIKE FROM BOSCOR

THE GROUP BEFORE WE SET OFF WITH ANDREW; VIV; KEVIN; SHELLEY; GORDON; DAVE; CLAUDINE; DANI; CRONJE; KAITLIN; TAEGAN; JASMINE; JOSIE AND BENJAMIN.

RESTIO

MOVING UP THE PATHWAY TOWARDS HEUNINGBOS WITH DANI AND SHELLEY

ANDREW; GORDON AND CRONJE CLIMBING UP THIS SECTION WHICH TAKES US A BIT OVER 90 MINUTES

KEVIN AND VIV AT THE BACK OF THE GROUP

ONCE AT HEUNINGBOS A COUPLE OF THE YOUNGSTERS GET INTO THE POOL FOR A SWIM.

TAEGAN AND KAITLIN ENJOYING THE SPLASHING AND SWIM

KEVIN AND VIV WITH TEH STREAM FLOWING BEHIND THEM

KEVIN IS REALLY BRAVE AND DIVES INTO THE POOL FOR A SWIM. LOOK AT THE AMAZING REFLECTIONS IN THE WATER

BEFORE SUPPER A COUPLE OF US PLAY SOME SCRABBLE

HEUNINGBOS HUT. NAMED AFTER A SHRUB CALLED HONEY TREE

AFTER A REALLY COLD NIGHT -- CLEAR SKIES. AN EVENING BRAAI AND LOTS OF CHATTER; WE HAVE BREAKFAST AND THEN SET OFF FOR THE LONG DAYS HIKE. ANDREW AND I BRING UP THE REAR.

WILD IRIS IN FLOWER ON THE TRAIL

ANDREW AND I WALK UP THE HILL TAKING IT EASY

THE FIRST HILL MEANS THAT I AM HEATING UP QUICKLY DESPITE THE COOL WESTERLY BREEZE.

CAPPICE KOLKOL -- THIS BUSH WAS FLOWERING THROUGHOUT OUR HIKE THIS WEEKEND.

GARDEN ROUTE CONE BUSH -- LEUCADENDRON

I KNOW THIS AS A STRAWBERRY PROTEA BUT IT IS CORRECTLY KNOWN AS HELICHRYSUM.

AFTER A WHILE WE COME ACROSS THIS SIGN. THE DESCENT IS IN FACT SLIPPERY AND WE NEED TO WATCH OUR FOOTING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT

THE FIRST THREE KAY TAKES US ABOUT 90 MINUTES.

FIRST CROSSING OF THE WITTEKLIP RIVER IS WHERE WE REGROUP. AS ANDREW AND I ARRIVE THE GROUP TAKES OFF AGAIN.

WE FIND THIS HOLLOWED OUT TREE.

A DIFFERENT LOOKING TREE CAPTURES OUR INTEREST

WE CROSS THE WITTEKLIP RIVER THREE TIMES BEFORE ASCENDING TO THE SADDLE ABOVE STORMS RIVER GORGE.

AT SOME OF THE CROSSINGS WE ARE AIDED BY A ROPE. STILL A COUPLE OF PEOPLE SLIP INTO THE RIVER. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU FILL WATER BOTTLES AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY AS IT CAN BECOME DIFFICULT WITHOUT WATER AT A LATER STAGE

LOOKING BACK TO THE WEST: THIS IS THE FIRST SADDLE OF THE DAY. WE HAD WALKED FROM IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION OVER THIS SADDLE TO THE WITTEKLIP RIVER BELOW. NOW WE BEGIN OUR ASCENT TO THE SECOND SADDLE OF THE DAY.

FOUNTAIN BUSH WITH BLUE FLOWERS

WE ARE AT THE 6KAY MARK AS WE BEGIN OUR ASCENT

SHORTLY AFTER THE 6KAY MARK WE TURN LEFT UP THE HILL TOWARDS SLEEPKLOOF

THIS IS THE "STICKY RED AND GREEN HEATH ERICA" THE SMALL ERICA BUSHES IN FLOWER -- COLOURFUL AND ADD TO OUR EXPERIENCE

ANDREW; KEVIN AND VIV WALK AT A STEADY PACE OF JUST 2KAYS AN HOUR. SHORTLY AFTER THIS WE STOP FOR OUR MIDDAY BREAK. KEVIN PUTS ON THE KETTLE. I HAVE A SNACK AND THEN A SHORT SLEEP BEFORE SETTING OFF.

WE REACH THE 9 KAY MARK JUST BEFORE REACHING THE SADDLE.

AT THE TOP OF THE HILL WE CAN SEE THE N2 AND STORMS RIVER VILLAGE BELOW.

HERE ARE THE SLEEPKLOOF HUTS. BUT DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE CAN SEE THEM IT WILL BE FOUR KAYS (AND NEARLY TWO HOURS) BEFORE WE GET THERE.

WALKING DOWN THE RIDGE DOWN TOWARDS THE STORMS RIVER GORGE

BRIGHTLY COLOURED GLADIOLUS; THIS FLOWER, WHICH IS NOT A WATSONIA, COMES IN ALL SORTS OF COLOURS FROM YELLOW TO PINK AND RED.

WE REACH THE 12KAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RIDGE

JUST AFTER THE 12K MARK IS THE SIGN TELLING WHERE THE POOL IS (WHICH WE DID NOT VISIT) AND ANNOUNCING THE 2KAY TO GO.

AT THE SLEEPKLOOF HUTS WE WAIT FOR OUR BAGS TO BE DELIVERED BY JAMES AND HIS ASSISTANT. THEY KINDLY AGREED TO TAKE US IN THE BACK OF THE BAKKIE TO BOSCOR, WHERE I LEFT MY CAR.

SLEEPKLOOF HUT -- BRAAI AREA. THIS AFTERNOON THE MIST COMES DOWN AND WE NEED THE FIRE TO KEEP WARM. STRANGELY THOUGH THE LOW CLOUD COVER MEANT THAT WE WERE WARM IN OUR BEDS THIS EVENING

AT THE START OF THE TRAIL AT BOSCOR WITH KAITLIN; BENJAMIN AND TAEGAN

TAEGAN AND HER FRIEND KAITLIN

CRONJE ENJOYING A BRIEF BREAK ON THE TRAIL

FATHER AND DAUGHTER AT TSITSIKAMMA HIKING TRAIL

TAEGAN AND KAITLIN BUNDLED UP ON SUNDAY MORNING BEFORE THE START OF THE FINAL SECTION.

HOT CHOCOLATE FOR JASMINE AND JOSIE. TODAY IS JOSIE'S 10TH BIRTHDAY. A MEMORABLE DAY AND SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR HER. WE HOPE THAT THIS REMAINS WITH HER FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS OF HER LIFE AND THAT, WHEN SHE TURNS 20, SHE WILL DO SOMETHING EQUALLY DIFFERENT.

CLAUDINE AND CRONJE WATERPROOFED UP IN ANTICIPATION OF A WET WALK

DAVE AND DANNI -- HAD A GOOD SLEEP AND NOW LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING HOME

SHELLEY AND GORDON SADDLED UP FOR THE FINAL 3KAY.

STORMS RIVER BRIDGE IS WHERE OUR CARS ARE PARKED. SO WE HAVE JUST THREE KAYS TO WALK. THIS SECTION IS DIVIDED INTO JUST OVER A KAY OF FOREST ROAD AND THEN A SIMILAR DISTANCE OF SINGLE TRACK PATHWAYS.