Saturday the 27th April 2019

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We arrived at the camp assistant, Richards house by 10H00 in the morning. We left our vehicle at Richards’s house and allowed him to drive us down the valley to the base camp.

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The camp is situated deep in the valley (no mobile signal). There are three standard hiking huts sleeping four hikers in each. There is a small kitchen with LPG gas cooker and running water. There are flushing toilets and two showers, which Richard makes sure, have hot water by means of a donkey boiler.

We dropped our gear as Richard left, checked out the waterfall 70m from camp and decided to tackle the seven and a bit trail loop.

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With only daypacks, water and cameras we set out along the river. The first two kilometers were easy following the valley. Then the path turns straight up the mountainside for a challenging 315m altitude gain.

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As always, the climb provides spectacular views and although not as big and isolated as the Wolkberg or Berg it was still special. We followed the well-marked trail (no map required) spotting birds, butterflies and insects to photograph as well as very relaxed Kudu and Blesbok.

The plateau eventually ends and we needed to drop down back into the valley. Once down we again followed a river, which opened up, into a few nice swim spots. I jumped in only to realise this was the Highveld and it was almost May. The water was clear but seriously cold, I was out rather fast and back on the trail very refreshed.

The trail turns and takes you up the escarpment and back to the base camp.

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