This project is getting seriously behind schedule now! I had a weekend of Orienteering coaching, and another weekend with no hiking (bit of an excuse that my ankle has been stubbornly hurting). But it has been a super year of hiking so far and I'm not giving it up. There will be some catching up I hope (Hex classic traverse scheduled for 13 June), but possibly also falling behind (Kruger Park and SA Orienteering champs in Sep/Oct).
But today was my birthday and although the weather was wet I had to get out onto the mountain. I joined the HPHC meet and was welcomed warmly with birthday greetings (Facebook the tattle tale) at the car park at Suikerbossie.
Our group today (plus Anwar the photographer).
We took the trail up Hout Bay corner and round to the foot of Llandudno Ravine. Then contoured further on a faint path, occasional cairns keeping us on track.
Himalayan Thars - a female with youngster, not too concerned by our passing. Despite the extermination efforts some years ago, it seems the population is increasing. We saw about eight in total on this hike.
This is The Pimple. Lion's Head in the distance.
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Our breakfast stop overhang looking out at the Pimple.
Breakfast time.
It was good that we fortified ourselves because the most challenging section lay ahead. Anwar looking resolute as we approach Grove Gulley with rock obstacles. dense palmiet and thick wet vegetation.
Our party under the light water falls at Grove Gulley.
Descending towards the next corner.
We came around that corner ledge with the tree. The sea below white with rough.
Not much later we came to wide open Victoria Ravine which we ascended as the rain came down and we donned the rain jackets. No real path, but no problem.
Top of Victoria Ravine.
Some of our group with the cliffs of Separation Buttress behind.
We took the right fork of Victoria Ravine and reached a spur.
A little higher we emerged on the summit and found the Apostle's Path, heading towards Judas Peak.
Three of us went ahead of the rest of the party at a good pace. The spectacular view of Llandudno and beyond as we came over the top, before descending to Llandudno Ravine and back to our start.
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