Spring flowers (see Vimeo link flower screen show for more flower photos)

Link to detailed route page and map is private because it is on MCSA property. Please contact me if you are a MCSA member to request a copy of the GPX file. If you click on the map titles it will say PAGE NOT FOUND Note that the trail is in separate segments so there are 3 map pages to access [route-snippet id=”751″ featured=”image”] [route-snippet id=”749″ featured=”image”] [route-snippet id=”747″ featured=”image”]Gavin, our MCSA meet leader picked a perfect spring weekend for our camping trip to climb Slanghoek Peak. A couple of days earlier we had seen a light dusting of snow on the Bolland mountain range and there was a lot of water coming off the mountain as we hiked up the Happy Valley trail on Saturday morning. However, we had perfect temperatures which encouraged some discrete skinny dipping in the Witte River by some (mainly on our return hike) and
more sedate paddling by others.

Group of happy hikers on the top of Slanghoek Peak

Our group comprised 8 people camping, 3 brave souls bivying and 3 members who joined us for a day hike up to the MCSA property line. The hike on the Cape Nature trail up to the MCSA property boundary was on a well maintained path and we made good time.  From that point we were off trail. We could have camped here, however it would have made a short day and given the recent rains and availability of water Gavin had already decided we should camp up at the saddle. An excellent choice as it is an outstanding place to be able to spend the night.

The area above Junction Pool had been burnt out by a fire earlier this year so finding our way to the saddle below Slanghoek Peak was a lot easier going than Torben had found it when he did this hike last year. We hiked up to the shoulder leading round to the saddle on the way up, taking the faint path on the river  valley route on our way back on Sunday. Only excitement on our Saturday hike was Josh nearly stood on a large puff adder, which he also got some nice photos of.

Camping area – note distinctive boulder!

Finding a good area to pitch our tent was a tad challenging as the flatter ground was sodden and we ended up very close to the cliffs overlooking the Worcester side of the saddle on a more rocky sloping area. However, we found a flatish place, moved some rocks and were very happy to have brought our tarp to give us a nice dry vestibule area. The wind died down in the evening and it was pleasantly warm. We even managed a bird bath with cold water from the waterfall which was most welcome given how dirty I seem to have got from the burnt snags we had brushed past. Tried out our new sleeping mats which were very comfy and a great success.

Got up at first light, Mike said it is the first time he has seen sunrise for some time. Beautiful as the valley was filled with cloud and the mountain peaks rising above it with the rising sun gradually bathing them in soft light. Off by 7.30 to find our way up via the Slanghoek amphitheater to the Peak. The early morning cloud in the Slanghoek valley cleared as we started our ascent, affording us great views in all directions and the water glistening off the amphitheatre cliffs was just magical.  We were also blessed with a profusion of spring flowers which were eagerly photographed by some, including Mike.

Morning view of Groot Wellington from amphitheatre

The hike back down to the saddle was uneventful and there was time for a brew as we all packed up our gear before heading back.  The route along the river was a mixture of faint path and boggy ground with some extra route finding required at times.  Once back on the jeep track it was a case of heads down and think of what we would have for dinner.  In our case steak on a brai and a very nice bottle of Slanghoek Shiraz to celebrate

First wilderness camping trip since we were in Japan and we both really enjoyed it, although our 2 man tent felt much smaller than I remembered!

Screen show of photos of our climb up to Slanghoek Peak. In addition here are links to 

Many thanks to Joshua Weiss and to Chris for letting us use some of their photos in this post. Here is a link to the MCSA meet report plus more photos. MCSA meet report