Table Mountain Walks - celebrating 15 years!

May 12, 2012 – 7:04 pm

Little did I think when I started guided hikes up Table Mountain that I would one day be celebrating 15 years of operation.  I have had the pleasure to accompany thousands of wonderful people up Table Mountain and share in their awe and wonder.  No wonder so many people want my job! I havent actually counted the number of ascents I have done but reckon its close to two thousand. It  is still  rewarding to see it through someone elses eyes and to feel their sense of accomplishment on reaching the top and experiencing the panorama for the first time. I have also learned so much from my clients over the years and based many of my own trips on tales I have heard while hiking Table Mountain.  This year in August I head to Colombia to hike the Trail to the Lost City and coincidently just walked with a couple from ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Brocken spectres on Table Mountain?

March 21, 2012 – 1:51 pm

Having been introduced to this fascinating phenomena quite recently (never having heard of it before) I have now been lucky enough to see two brocken spectres on Table Mountain in the last three weeks.  Did I see them before but not realise what it was? Honestly I dont know - I might have thought it was a mini rainbow.  However first let wikipedia explain what it is: A brocken spectre is a magnified shadow of an observer cast upon the upper surfaces of clouds opposite the sun.  The spectre appears when the sun shines from behind the observer who is looking down from a ridge or peak into mist.   The shadow also falls upon water droplets of varying distances, confusing depth perception.  The head is often surrounded by  glowing halo like rings of light that appear when sunlight is reflected by a cloud of water droplets. My own description would be ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Is hiking up Table Mountain for me?

February 22, 2012 – 8:35 am

Many people ask about fitness and how strenuous it is to walk up Table Mountain.  This is somewhat subjective so often difficult to put across in specific terms.  Most important to understand is the type of terrain and that a cableway down is never guaranteed. All the routes to the top are steep and with steps - not even steps like stairs but uneven and some high and some requiring use of hands.  People who are unsteady without good balance and not supple might find this difficult to tackle.  You also need a reasonable level of aerobic fitness to make the walk comfortable and so that you dont get too much out of breath.  Having said this some younger folk who claim to do no exercise at all seem to manage fine!  Those whose years are more advanced however should be regular exercisers and particpate in aerobic sport/exercise. Something you may not ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Cape Town - come here to hike!

February 2, 2012 – 4:03 pm

There are so many attractions in Cape Town that most people only have time for one day of hiking and even then usually just half a day.  The average length of stay in just 3-4 days - not enough!  Those lucky enough to have an extended visit will have the opportunity to explore much more of what Cape Town has to offer from a hiking perspective. The best locations to hike other than Table Mountain  are Silvermine Nature Reserve and Cape Point (the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. ) Having said this limited shaded walks are on offer in Silvermine and none in Cape Point.  Therefore rather stay with shorter walks and start early in the morning at this time of year.  In winter this doesnt apply but still precautions like hats and suncream are vital. You may prefer to do two walks up Table Mountain.  Then perhaps choose  one from ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Perfect Patagonia!

December 18, 2011 – 5:38 pm

I have now been back for three weeks - can hardly believe it.  I spent two weeks exploring this remote area of Argentinia and Chile.  First I headed for El Calafate and El Chalten and did the magnificent hike to Mount Fitzroy.  Climbing to the summit was not an option as this is one of the most technical climbs there is and looking at the vertical rock face left me in no doubt. Next I made a long bus journey to Puerto Natales, the gateway to hiking the world famous Torres del Paine National Park.    Here lies the well know 'W'.  The French Valley, Gray's glacier and the magnificent 'towers' themselves are the highlights of this  3-4 day trail.  The perfect panormas with snow covered peaks are breathtaking.  So to are the strong winds and biting cold - and this is summer!  However there was no rain, clear skies and ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

What to take with you when hiking in Cape Town

October 6, 2011 – 10:20 am

Experienced hikers will already know the answer to this one but those who have not hiked before may be uncertain.  Of course much is to do with clothing and this depends on the time of year of your visit.  However conditions on Table Mountain vary so much at any time that you have to go prepared and also it helps to know the weather forecast for that day. Jeans are out as they are usually to tight fitting and certainly not good in hot condtions.  I have even know people to take them off! If it happens to rain jeans are not quick drying and uncomfortable.  Loose fitting clothing and layers are the best policy.  You dont need to buy expensive gear but you do need a sturdy pair of walking shoes (boots are not essential) and decent thicker socks.   Shorts or long pants - cant tell you for sure ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Book your walk early in your stay

August 31, 2011 – 4:13 pm

Some advise   - book your walk up Table Mountain at the beginning of your stay in Cape Town.  If the weather doesnt cooperate you hopefully will have an alternative day to go.  This I know isnt always the case for everyone and there is so much to do and see but it definitely works for some.  Especially in the wetter winter months but also sometimes in summer because of high winds hikes have to be postponed or cancelled.  This is disappointing but if you can reschedule then all is not lost and we go another day. Kasteelspoort is proving to be a very popular route and of course the dramatic photo on the rock is atttracting those wanting to impress their friends - or frighten their mothers! The three valleys en route to the Front Table make this a very varied route and there is another surprise photo for those who ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Cape Town experiences heat wave - as it was in China!

July 12, 2011 – 9:00 am

Just got back from China 10 days ago.  Very different and interesting but perhaps a little warm for hiking at times.  I did 6 days of hiking different sections the Great Wall.  Parts of it, the less frequented areas  are by far the best to hike while on the restored sections one feels like one of the many hundreds tourists who visit the Great Wall everyday.  It is certainly worth the effort and time to make sure you go to areas that are not overrun by the masses and those sections that are not rebuilt take one through some interesting countryside with great scenery and views depending on the visibility. I also visited Yangshue with its amazing karst topography. This area is a definite if you are planning a trip to China.  Exploring on bike is the best option and the steep climb up Moon Mountain on foot well worth the ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

To China to hike the Great Wall

June 3, 2011 – 4:33 pm

Winter is definitely now upon us and it is holiday time for many people in the hospitality industry in the Cape. My chosen destination for this trip is China, with a week  hiking along  part of the Great Wall.  I am sure it will be a tremendous experience and I really look forward to it.  The culture will be very different and of course the scenery. I will spend a couple of days in Beijing - that will be enough to see the highlights.  I have also planned to do a day of biking around the hutongs (old sections of the city) and  suspect this will be the most interesting for me. You see the city as it was before modernisation and get a feel for life as it was. After Beijing I travel overland to Hong Kong with some interesting stops along the way, the Terracotta Warriors probably the  most famous.  ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Table Mountain - one of the New Sevens Wonders?

April 24, 2011 – 5:17 pm

Voting continues and later this year the winners will be announced.  Will Table Mountain be in the top seven?  I really dont know but surely it has to be in with a good chance.  Reading a review on Trip Advisor of their cableway experience the writer comments how little there is to be seen at the top - other than the view of course!  To those who cableway up and take a short stroll on the concrete paths this might seem to be the case.  However nothing could be further from the truth. The more adventurous will discover the delights of flora and fauna on Table Mountain.  Those really wanting to explore away from the crowds must head for the Back Table before ascending to the front flat plateau.  Here you encounter only a few fellow hikers  and sometimes none at all!  The fynbos is lush and more varied. rock formations ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »