MOUNTAIN - Cape Province Mountain Club

AUGUSt 2009
■ 8-9th August
boemanskloof
boland 90 RECCÉ weekend
The weekend reccé was attended by 23 individuals
of which all names are recorded and on file.
At Nuweberg on Friday evening we agreed
that because Sunday was Women’s Day we
would attempt to make a speedy return and
therefore decided that all three routes be
walked on Saturday with everyone meeting at
Boesmanskloof at the end of the day. We then
decided who would lead the various routes and
who would accompany the various leaders.
At 08h30 everyone was ready to start the
days walk with Mike Francke leading the Triple
Jumps fall group via the Brail Trail who was to
meet Donny, who led the Escape route team, at
the junction where these two trails meet. The
rest were led by Roland who hiked the Orchard
route after descending Horrible Hill.
After dropping Donny and his team at Versoek
I made my way to Vinks Bridge to see the new
construction. It is quite evident that this river
really has the ability to take anything down
with it as one can clearly see that the newly
constructed bridge has some of its railings twisted
by flash floods. However, it remains suitable for
safe hiking.
Mike reports that although the vegetation on
the path has been cleared by the recent fires, a
couple of trees which have been felled still block
certain sections of the route, and the bridge at
Triple Jumps Fall requires some repair. A few of
the wooden slats are loose and needs very careful
negotiation in order to prevent possible injury.
Furthermore everything else appears to be in
order and conducive for hiking.
Donny reports that the Escape route hasn’t
Boesmanskloof Trail.
change much other than the previously
overgrown vegetation which made walking quite
challenging has been cleared by the recent fires
and the dongas are as previously recorded, can do
with some filling.
Roland’s feedback of the Orchard Route raises
no alarm other than as with all the other routes,
clearer signage is required as this is virtually
non-existent.
While the volunteers were out on the trails I
made an attempt to speak to Simon Neville from
Mara Farm but unfortunately he was unavailable.
I however managed to leave a note and speak to
his wife about our intention to reccé those routes
on September 12. I need to follow this up with
a telephone call. I am planning to do this very
soon.
By 16h30 all hikers had completed the
anticipated hikes, and thanks to the committee,
they all enjoyed the hot soup provided. In
addition we later enjoyed the coffee and hot
chocolate which seemed to reduce the evening
chill which was enjoyed by the ever amazing
reflection of the moon on the Theewaterskloof
dam with the silhouette of the surrounding
mountains. However, we all need to attend some
serious photographic classes in order to record
this digitally and accurately.
Allow me to express my sincere appreciation to
all who attended and to the families whom they
had left at home for the weekend. Our next reccé
has been planned to take place on 12 September
based at Nuweberg from the evening of Friday
11 September.
Benny Pietersen
november 2009 / newsletter of cape province mountain club