Lady Slipper (Van Stadensberg) mountain climb. Monday 22nd March 2021

Lady Slipper  (Van Stadensberg) mountain climb.   Monday 22nd March 2021 

Monday is a public holiday so I arrange to hike up this mountain.   The peak is about 500m above sea level.   In Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) it is one of the Iconic climbs to do.   

We decide to walk up from the North Side.   The Radio Masts access road is managed by MTO and I obtain a permit from them.   We leave PE at 8.00am.   Meet most of the group at 8.30 and drive in convoy to the bottom of the tar road where we park.   

The hike starts with a 3km hill climb.   Quite tiring for anyone who is not medium fit.   We regroup a few times and then at the top of the hill just before the Radio Masts we all meet up.   Then we walk across the plateau to the first peak before finally hiking to the Main Lady Slipper peak.   

We stop for pics and eats for a half hour and then everyone descends in their own time.  We drive straight home and are back by 13.30.  This is a substantial walk and you need to allocate 3 to 4 hours to really enjoy it.  

On the trail today:   Ally;  Zamo;  Bunny;  Jabo;  Tobile;  Teresa and AnneMarie (AJ).  Simone and Sebastian;  Gail; Nicole;  Luken and Kelly;  Jeanne and Glynette;  Robert; Bob;  Brenda; Vicki; Vicki and Britanny;  Kholeka; Lucia; Neko and Nosi;   Loretta and Sally;  Chris;  Kate; Richie; Joseph; Ruben and Mosa;  Alta;  Gillian and Seelan;  Gillian.    I think that makes it 37 hikers.  

Walking up the Road section

Winter Everlastings

At the top of the mountain with Vicki; Vicki and Brittany

ON the rock with Teresa and AnneMarie AJ

 Bunny.  Zamo,  Tobile and Jabo  Enjoying the view

Teresa and AJ

Robert and Bob on the mountain

Mosa and Ally get on well

Gail with her daughter Simone in white and friends Kelly and Luken

Ally and I are at Lady Slipper.  This is Allys first time up this mountain

Kate makes it to the top.  A struggle for her so well done. 

Kholeka enjoys these hikes

Tobile.  First time with this group

Bunny joins us for the second time.  

Zamo .... I met at the Maitlands Forest walk when she had become lost. 

Jeanne is a real pleasure to have on the walks.  So positive about everything

Loretta enjoys the walks

Glynette had back pains today and was forced to stop just before the top.  Next time. 

AJ ... AnneMarie was invited by Teresa.  

Gillian --  Always smiling

Bob .... Great to have a friend like him join the group

Gillian and Bob met at KleinRivier 

Sally has been on a number of walks with us.  

Gail...  Also a member of Achilles.  

Brittany does this amazing leap on the summit rock.  

Chris brings his camera and makes wonderful memories

Sebastian and Simone.   From Limpopo although originally from PE they are now here to study.  

Vicki and Vicki.  Introduced by Brenda

Brittany.  The girl who leaps in the air in a Dangerous stunt.  Introduced by Brenda

Alta.   I first met walking with the Thursday Group.  has since been on a Flower Tour and various hikes with me. 

Ally followed by her Shadow... Mosa

Approaching the summit peak

Walking up the hill with the group of about 35 hikers

Trying to make out the Heel of the Slipper

Glynette is with Jeanne

We walk on the Plateau which gives us wonderful views across the plains towards the sea and even to Jeffreys Bay. 

This is half of the group that was on the trail today. 

Zamo and Bunny.   Running friends. 

Brittany poses with an Oleander Protea

Starting off the day with Zamo.  Tobile.   Bunny and Jabo

Brittany and her amazing stunt.  

Alta is on top of the world. 

I love these hikes.  

Simone.   Currently working at a preschool wants to study Foundation Teaching next year. 

Brittany and Vicki. 

The group.  Today we have a lovely hike in coolish weather and between the colours of the Mountain Fynbos. 

We stretch out from the quicker to the slower walkers. 

A colourful bunch of hikers. 

Walking back down to the cars.  

SA Guided Tours and Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- Shore Excursions -- Addo Elephant and other Wildlife Reserves -- Garden Route.  Flowers of Namaqualand -- 

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Addo Elephant Park Day Visit and Night drive. 

• Kragga Kamma Wildlife Reserve
• Daniel Cheetah Project
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• Three day tour of Mountain Zebra Park. Graaff Reinet, Nieu Bethesda and Addo. 
• City Historical and Cultural Tours, 
• Horse riding for both experienced and inexperienced riders
• Hikes and Walks around Port Elizabeth (2 hour Nature and Coastal walks)
• Garden Route Adventure Tours (Zip Lines; Segway  in the Forest; Adventure Quad Biking; Bridge Walks; Bungy Jump; Knysna Elephant Park; Monkey Land and Birds of Eden; Big Cats Sanctuary; Oudtshoorn Cango Caves and Ostrich farms)
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• Transfers. Airport; Hotel and Wildlife Reserve.
• Flowers of Namaqualand.  Seven days of adventure and exploring places and sights you never even knew existed.  History and natural beauty of the South West of South Africa
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