Past events   
 

PAST EVENTS

20 & 21 JANUARY 2007                Wolweriver Rock Climbing                Tony Johnston

Both Saturday and Sunday turned out to be beautiful days for being outdoors. A total of five novices joined us over the two days and were introduced to top-roping, abseiling and all the toys that the big boys brought along. The climbing went very well until the midday sun became too harsh and forced most climbers to migrate to the river for lunch and a swim. Buckets of sweat, mixed with some blood, groaning and awesome company, made up a very eventful climbing weekend.

10-11 FEBRUARY 2007                Peak Formosa - from the North          Demos Anastassiades

This meet was cancelled due to unsuitable weather conditions.

20 FEBRUARY 2007                     Cradock Pass                                       Geoff Ditchfield

At last we were able to complete this meeting which had to be cancelled four times during 2006 because of inclement weather or wet underfoot conditions.
Barry Cox was eventually able to fool the weather gods by putting Geoff Ditchfield’s name on the Meet Sheet as the meeting co-ordinator. It worked.

Tuesday 20 February 2007 was a lovely day for walking. We started at 7am from the Witfontein Forest station in slightly overcast conditions. The walk was reasonably strenuous, a climb of roughly 1 meter in every 10 travelled, according to Fred van Berkel’s GPS. All present on the hike handled the conditions well, although there were a couple of flushed faces by the time that we reached the saddle. The trip down the other side was relatively easy, especially once we saw Barry Cox’s blue Passion Wagon waiting for us at end. We had been promised a “twiddle” when we got there. The “twiddle” consisted of much appreciated cold refreshments and some snacks. Thanks to Barry Cox and Lilly Patterson for this.
 

17 & 18 FEBRUARY 2007            De Hoek Rock climbing                     Tony Johnston

Half of the party decided to make for De Hoek on Friday evening 16 February, the remainder of the group arrived on Saturday morning.

After some basic settling in and setting up, the climbers set out for the climbing area east of the resort. First off, we warmed up on “Toilet Camper” Grade 10, just working out the basics with the new climbers, while the more adventurous of the group headed straight for Chicks Dig It (Grade 18.) The limestone has to be treated with respect as it can inflict bad cuts. Chicks Dig It is a very interesting climb, loaded with extremely smooth holds (Quite like greased glass!). At midday the sun burnt us off the rock at “The Cave” area and we decided to take a short siesta/dip in the pool and grab some lunch. We soon set out for “The Main Wall” where most of the climbing was done on the “Initiation Wall”. When the day started to slip away, we went back to the campsite for oysters & wine and ended up sitting beside the campfire, chatting into the night…. Landrovers, global warming and ‘how one gets into the wrong tent at night! ??’

Sunday morning was started off with some stretching of stiff muscles, and then it was off to “The Main Wall” again. We were blessed with overcast weather so that the heat was more bearable. Thanks to Dricus Bezuidenhoudt and other climbers from PE, we were also able to try out ‘Goonie Goo Goo’ (22) on “The Main Wall” wall.

We were amazed at the amount of communication taking place on the rock, in languages which included Greek, Finnish, German, Afrikaans, English (and some yet to be named tongue). At about Lunch time we all decided to call it a day and made off for home. All in all it was another good weekend of Climbing.
 

24 FEBRUARY 2007                      Platbank to Groenvlei                         Fay Jones

With all the vehicles parked safely at Groenvlei, our end point, we set off from Platbank at 9:15. (Platbank is a popular fishing spot on the Western edge of the Goukamma Reserve). High tide was at 8.45 and the weather was overcast but with a promise of sun later. Unfortunately with the cracking pace set in fairly cool weather we reached the second lot of rocks before the tide had retreated sufficiently to walk round the bottom. We followed a fishermen’s path over the headland which was very narrow, rather sandy so a bit loose underfoot and a bit exposed. By the time everyone was round the headland Dave B and Fred had had their first swim. At this point Alaister turned back . His was the only car at Platbank as he had never intended to walk the full distance. Des opted to walk with him and as they were old buddies it was an opportunity to spend the morning chatting. They waited for 1/2 an hour for the tide to retreat and went back along the front. Heard afterwards they chatted to all the fisherman on their way back ,one of whom had caught a large cob.

Tea stop at the next rocks at 11 where more swam. A km further along was our pull out point to walk back to the cars traversing the coastal dunes. This path is not visible from the beach so you have to know where it is. We saw at least 4 pairs of Oystercatchers along the way, two of whom had known nests. A shady lunch stop was opted for so with Leon in front to scare away the puffadders we set of for the coastal forest in the second valley from the beach. Flo found a wiggle in the path, which is quite narrow, where we could all have some lunch without feeling as though we were sitting in a long line. Half an hour later and we off again for the last long diagonal – up over the dunes. This has been well thought out as although fairly long (seems like it in the heat) has an easy gradient. From here an easy walk to the top of the next dune overlooking Groenvlei. Quite a few Brunsvigia Oriental in bloom, more than when Dave and Fay had walked doing the recce’ 10 days earlier. A steep walk down to the edge of the vlei where the Leasks and Barnes opted for an extra 5 min walk in the wrong direction for a fresh water swim before returning back to the cars.

3 MARCH 2007                             Drupkelders                                         Dave Barnes

The party put aside misgivings about the cloudy and unsettled weather, and left from the official Parks Board parking point at 08H45.
Initially it seemed that the group could be washed down the path at any time soon, as the weather looked foreboding. The weather steadily improved, however, and by the time the Homtini River was reached it was sunny and warm. The group lost no time in getting into the water after carefully spreading out clothing in the patchy sunshine. The group progressed with assorted speed and strokes through the first pool, then up and over the waterfall to the long pool and through the narrow gorge above. The dark water, George lilies in full bloom, the rushing waterfall, then the mountain quiet in the narrow gorge, made for an ideal swim.
Whoever believed that the weather gods do not have a sense of humour was soon re-educated when the “drups” became a shower, then a sharp summer downpour.

On returning to the drenched clothing the weather cleared, and spirits lifted while picnicking in the shelter of the overhang.
By the time the group reached the top of the steep ascent on the way back most had completely dried out.
Rain regardless, this remains a special and unique spot for those privileged to be able to live on the Garden Route
 

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Last modified: February, 2007