Woody Buttress (15/21)

A Table Mountain climb with the Hikers Paradise Club friends, led by Anwar Adams. This very enjoyable hike met all the expectations of the event notice:
"WOODY BUTTRESS - SUNDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2015
Grade B3 , +/- 4 hours, meet at Kloof Nek parking 06h00 for 06h15 start.
Woody Buttress is another amazing scramble route that thrills you all the way with its variance of scrambles offering awesome challenges and a few exposed moments which is easily ventured as experienced hands are always at hand for encouragement and assistance. generally not for the faint hearted as we will not be using rope as some would advise. Hence you hike at your own risk.".

Yes it was an early start from Kloofnek. under cloudy skies. with a bit of drizzle along the Pipe Track

After walking for about 4km and passing the Diagonal Route and Kasteelspoort signboards, you come across this elderly relic, and the path up to Woody Buttress (above) ascends just further on, where the path is lined on the downside with spider gum Eucalyptus trees.

Looking back on the Pipetrack trail we had taken, with some of the Apostles in attendance.

And to the other side the Pipetrack contour path goes a bit further to Slangolie ravine, and ends with the ascent of Corridor ravine.

The route was refreshingly varied with scrambling bits that were quite demanding, and other ridge line sections like this,

And magnificent views like this one into Woody Ravine

Energy sapping ascents.

And that smile when you emerge at the top! 

Well still a bit more to go, but that is the final "top". Does that rock look a bit like an elephant?

I saw about four flowering Cluster Disas (d. ferruginea)

We reached the Apostles path with a strong wind blowing and I had to do a hat recovery move. It was not a good place to stop for Breakfast so we started down Woody Ravine.

And made breakfast camp a little way down where there was some wind protection and soft places to sit.

 Then down Woody Ravine to the Pipetrack and back to Kloofnek.  Lots of walkers on the Pipetrack, but a pleasant cool walk back. Most of the hike was under overcast skies, with a bit of sunshine on the last stretch. 

The Android GPS says it was 11 km distance with +500m of climb and we did it in 4h 7 m.