Helderberg Nature Reserve

Helderberg Nature reserve is situated in Somerset West, close neighbours to Cape Town but strangely enough none of us had visited it before. So as part of a mountain navigation training exercise we decided to explore the area.

What a pleasant surprise! Even though the April 2011 fire had devastated a large part of the reserve encouraging signs of regrowth could be seen.

Progress was slow as numerous what if scenarios were played out as we went along.
Our original intention was to follow the pink route to the top of West Peak but due to time constraints we ended up following the Green route. The views of False Bay were spectacular with Cape Point standing out in the distance. The reserve is managed by Cape Town City Council but West Peak falls under Cape Nature management.
Armed with the online map it is relatively easy to find your way around as most of the jeep tracks and paths head off in the general direction of West Peak. The trick is to aim towards Disa Gorge and then look for the path that zig zags its way up the buttress on the east side. We went a short distance up Disa Ravine until reaching a danger sign, shortly before it a clear path goes off to the left; this is the one that we followed.

The Green route eventually joins up with the Pink route and descends the mountain. The Watsonia's are all sprouting along the slope and should give a wonderfull display towards October/November.

False Bay with Cape Point in the distance

It would be well worth a trip just to see their display. There is very little water available along the way so it’s best to fill up at the entrance.
It was a unanimous decision to return in the near future as we had really only scratched the surface in terms of exploring the reserve. 

Guernsey Lily

Links
Helderberg Reserve Fire
http://www.helderbergnaturereserve.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Friends-News-July-2011-email.pdf
Trails map of the Helderberg Hiking routes
http://www.helderbergnaturereserve.co.za/reserve/trails/

Lifes little rituals

Lifes little rituals
Life is full of rituals, rituals that add warmth and value to our lives. The hiding of the easter eggs for the kids, the saturday braai and rugby, the first cup of coffee in the morning, the ritual of sitting in the pale winter sun and reading. The list goes on. Rituals add to the fabric of our lives.

 How often do we stop whilst walking or driving and immediately write-off our surroundings as boring or not needing a second glance. More often than not we are so wrong with our snap judgement. We go out on a hike and come back physically satisfied but mentally still strung out.

Next time you're out there hiking add another little ritual to your life.

Take along a gas stove, pot, water and the makings for tea or coffee. Find a great spot with a view or sheltered from the wind or sun. Light up your stove and while the waters coming to the boil take in your immediate surroundings.

The little sundews that we normally stride past and give a cursory glance, look at their leaf structure. Focus on that butterfly can you identify it?  Lets break the big five mentality that we have, where only the big and flashy get our attention. Start identifying the "Little Brown Jobs" of the bird world. Stop long enough and the little field mice will become visible. Stop long enough and the chameleons will discover you.

Hoerikwaggo Trail

Hoerikwaggo Trail
Great news we have four block bookings for the Hoerikwaggo trail. Read what SANP has to say about the trail. This is one hike that must be on your bucket list. Right at the top!
All you have to do is carry a day pack (and walk). We do all the catering and even lug everything from one camp to the next. It's called "slackpacking" doll!
The trail starts at Cape Point and finishes at the Wash houses above Cape Town.

The overnight camps just get better and better. Look at the list:

Smitswinkel

Silvermine

Slangkop

Orangekloof

Diarise the the following dates:
24 - 28 September 2012
19 - 23 November 2012
7 - 11 January 2013
25 - 29 March 2013
For more information contact us>>>