Table Mountain Walks

Fire on Devil’s Peak

March 30, 2009 – 7:01 pm

I have received some inquiries about the fire two weeks ago and the effect it might have had on Table Mountain.  Well - the answer is none.  The fire started below Rhodes Memorial on the lower slopes of Devils Peak and spread upwards and also across to the Table Mountain side of the peak.  Table Mountain itself was not burnt at all.   Unfortunately two people died in the fire - they were sleeping on the slopes and despite the brave efforts of fire fighters the burns they received were too extensive. In a previous article I wrote about the role that fire plays in the ecology of fynbos and it seems as if the debate continues between the ecologists and the authorities regarding how this type of fire should be handled. However when faced with the prospect of loss of human life and property surely there can be no debate and ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Cape Point

March 30, 2009 – 5:06 pm

Cape Point (more accurately known as the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve) is a must see when visiting Cape Town.   Situated at the very tip of the Cape Peninsula it is often mistaken for the most southerly point on the African continent and also as the place where the two oceans meet.   Neither of these claims to fame are strictly true but a trip to Cape Point will not disappoint you. The reserve has a number of major attractions including the two famous lighthouses, shipwrecks, beautiful beaches and scenery as well has a variety of fynbos (indigenous vegetation) and wildlife. Unfortunately many tourists who visit Cape Point get only a superficial experience of the reserve.  Typical peninsula tours only give you the briefest of time there and don't deviate to explore the less frequented areas.  In fact the tour buses are only allowed off the main thoroughfare so they can't be ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Table Mountain and fire

February 14, 2009 – 11:16 am

Now we are at the height of the fire season but so far Table Mountain has escaped almost totally unscathed.  However fires elswhere in the Cape Province have been devastating and although no deaths are reported but there are huge losses to many farmers who have lost all their crops. A small fire, most likely caused by a lightning strike last Saturday burned a small section of Table Mountain in the vicinity of Cecilia Forest.  However swift action prevented it from spreading and little damage was done.   It must be said that fire is benefical to fynbos (the natural vegetation that grows on Table Mountain) so long as it does not occur too frequently - every 10 to 15 years is not damaging.  Fynbos has adapted to fire with some plant species requiring the heat of fire for seeds to germinate.  Fire helps to maintain the biodiversity of the fynbos ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Table Mountain - One of the Natural Seven Wonders?

January 8, 2009 – 4:21 pm

Well,  good news -  Table Mountain has made the first cut and is in with a chance of becoming one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.  Although the news did not come as a surprise to Capetonians it is good to know that Table Mountain as an icon is know beyond our borders and appreciated by all those who have seen it. I believe sometime in the future there will be a second cut which will see the number of candidates whittle down to around 70 before the final decision which will see only seven chosen.   Of course there will be stiff opposition from canyons - the Grand Canyon and possibly the Colca Canyon which is actually deeper, falls like Victoria Falls and the Iguazu Falls and of course the Great Barrier Reef.  However we must surely be in with a chance. Table Mountain, as those who know ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Summer is here!

November 4, 2008 – 3:23 pm

Great - at last summer has arrived and there is plenty of sunshine to be had in Cape Town and on Table Mountain.  However even yesterday the temperature on top of the mountain was cool so always be prepared for a marked change in degrees especially if the wind picks up. Of course now all also the time of year for the South Easter which can bring along the Table Cloth and if it is blowing over 40k per hour it may also cause the closure of the cablecar.  This one must bear in mind when hiking up Table Mountain - allow time to walk down as you may have to! Contrary to the wishes of the Parks Board there are still some Tahrs (Himalayan Mountain goats) roaming around on Table Mountain.  At the moment a couple seem to be hanging out on the Central Table, on the edge between Maclear's Beacon ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Back from the Inca Trail

October 6, 2008 – 7:06 pm

I arrived back from Peru and Ecuador last Monday 29th September.   Still busy adjusting to being back although Cape Town being such a beautiful city one always feels  lucky to live here and be so close to Table Mountain.  Thanks to Craig who looked after Table Mountain Walks while I was away.  It turned out to be the wettest September on record which seriously curtailed business but it seems now Table Mountain is drying out although there are still waterfalls and streams in full flow making the mountain even more attractive! This time I led a group of walkers from South Africa on the Inca Trail having done it myself last year and thoroughly enjoyed it.   By all accounts everyone agreed with me and although we had quite an age range everyone completed the trail with relative ease.    The scenery, culture and of course the magnificent ruins of Macchu ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Walking in the rain?

August 28, 2008 – 4:16 pm

As one might expect the weather in Cape Town in winter is somewhat unpredicatable.  One can experience the best of the Cape winter - clear blue skies, windless and a temperature of 21C.  On the other hand it can be 12C, pouring with rain and gale force winds.   Obviously if the latter prevails on the day walking up Table Mountain is out of the question.  There is also somewhere in between when - if you have the right gear  - you can walk but visibility and therefore the views may be restricted. I will of course advise you whether you should or shouldn't walk but it does depend to a large extent of what clothing you have with you.   Today 28th August two Japanese visitors had to have their walk canceled due to extreme weather.  If they had had some flexibility they could have rescheduled  - yesterday was the perfect ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Table Mountain cablecar reopens

July 30, 2008 – 5:55 pm

Good news for many people is that the cablecar reopens on Monday 4 August.  It has been a hard slog up the mountain for some who were not prepared to have to walk.   However hopefully it was in many ways more rewarding and satisfying to have done it the hard way. This year the cableway was closed for three weeks instead of the normal two weeks and next year it will also be for the same period of time.   This is in preparation for all the visitors we are expecting for the Soccer World Cup in 2010. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company has been operating since 1929.  In all those years they have a 100% safety record.  Extensive refurbishment was undertaken in 1997 with the installation of the current revolving cablecar.  This greatly improved efficiency and lessened the queue time for those not keen to walk. Many people who walk up ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Check your Table Mountain guide and operator

July 15, 2008 – 6:07 pm

Unfortunately it is the case that guides who are not qualified to guide on Table Mountain are doing so.  This is obviously unfair to you as a client as you are paying for the skill and knowledge of someone who has specialised in this area.  It is also not safe as unqualified and unskilled guides will be less familiar with the routes (if they are familiar at all!) and unable to make important decisions in regard to the  weather and making judgments about your ability to tackle the various routes.  Rather choose a company that is not offering all kinds of tours and excursions and you will have a better chance of getting the appropriate person but be sure and ask if you are in any doubt. Hiking Table Mountain (as hiking does anywhere) carries a certain amount of risk - minimal though it might be - but rather put yourself ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Wet, Wet, Wet

July 9, 2008 – 6:48 pm

Although this time of year is the rainy season in Cape Town and the Western Cape it seems like the last eight days has broken all records.   However the plus factor is lots of water pouring off Table Mountain and some spectacular waterfalls where normally there is just a trickle. Two brave souls from Spain decided to brave the elements on 8th July and luckily the rain ceased and the mountain cleared for almost all of the walk across Table Mountain.  Starting at Cecilia Forest conditions and visibility were good and with the cableway open just after midday we decided to press on to the Front Table and hopefully see the views over the city and Table Bay.   However luck temporarily ran out at Maclear's Beacon and the heavens opened with hailstones bouncing off the rocks.  We must have covered the normal hour's walk to the cable station in less ...

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »