Hiking Spesbona Forest via Echo Valley Kalkbay

We were inspired by a photo from a book I got my husband for our anniversary, South Africa's Wildest Places, authored by Scott Ramsay. Even thought this hike is at the top of my list of favourite places, seeing Scott's photo of the Echo Valley Boardwalk made us realise that this is really the photo we would love to see more often.  So for a while now I have been pondering on what photo I would like as a wall mural in my office.  It had to be something inspirational and definitely a place I would like to 'go to' when you need to 'get away'... 

This is one of the places I can easy call my happy place, and Im sure many many others who have been here would agree with me.  So instead of sharing photo's like we used to in our blog posts, we decided to do a video of our experience on the walk and in search of 'the photo'.  My video skills are slightly improving and the editing... well let's just say, we are getting there ;)

Hope you enjoy the walk with us from the comfort of your computer screen.

If you wish for us to take you on this 2 hour walk, we charge R1000 minimum fee , and R250 per person if it is more than 4 people.  This can also include an epic cave walk (add another hour and R100pp), but it will depend on the weather - as you can't enter the 100m long cave shortly after the rain.  We mostly prefer to hike in the winter months due to the fact that hiking in summer heat and the potential danger of high risk  during the summer fire season.  It will be a memory lingering for a long time after your visit to this beautiful part of Table Moutain.

Untill next time,

Juanita and Alex

Crime Warning Table Mountain

Warning from the mountain rescue crew: 

The latest crime hotspots for hikers and riders in Cape Town are 

• the Saddle of Devil's Peak, 

• Newlands ravine, and 

• Cecila forest. 

There is probably more than one gang operating at the moment. There are also isolated incidents of muggings on the cycle ...tracks on the slopes of Devil's Peak.

Warning Attacks on Table Mountain

Hi all,

I have just received a message from Table Mountain Safety Action Group via Cape Town Hiking Club.  Looks like these guys / criminals need to get nabbed asap.  Its likely that they are the same 2 people attacking hikers.  Please do not walk alone.  Im always so frustrated when I hear about the hikers that venture off into the hills on their own.  Apart from being a perfect target for abuse by a potential criminal, if a snake bites you or you twist your ankle, you put yourself into great danger. Spending the night alone on the mountain can almost predict certain death.

The idea is to join a hiking group that will suite your hiking style. There are hiking groups being created all the time.  Some people like to walk fast, others like walking slower (sometimes avid photographers), others like talking, some dont... find your perfect hiking partner/s and go out and enjoy the mountain.  Never think you are safe, always make sure you know how to defend yourself when approached or attacked.  Best thing is to try and run away of course, but if that is not possible, try to at least prepare yourself for if it happens to you.  Good luck friends!  and hope to run into you sometime on the mountain too :)

OK, im done moaning.  Im really sorry to hear of this terrible experience that these people endured and hope they catch the criminals soon.  We always carry a shocker and a mace spray on us... you just never know.

Regards, Juanita

Just a warning notice that there have been two attacks in this area over the past 10 days or so.  Not much detail is available but we understand that the more recent attack (last day or two?) was particularly nasty.  We are going to ask TMNP for more detail on this one.  It may also have been picked up by the press so check the Cape Times today / yesterday. More on this one later, hopefully.

The other attack occurred in Newlands Forest specifically - about 10 days ago or so.  Here is the text we received with regards that one:

From a Facebook entry:  is traumatised after being attacked in Newlands Forest yesterday by two men with bottles that they broke on a stone and used as weapons. After that spent whole day looking for Josie (the dog) who ran off scared as a mouse, shame, found her again with the help of amazing friends. Such is life in South Africa. But South African men must be applauded for the way they step up in a crisis!

If anyone knows more, plllleeasse let us know.  This way we can get the facts out soonest to warn others.  Especially with the weekend coming up.  We need locations and any form of description.

Regards Andre TMSAG

Crime and Self Defense whilst Hiking

Read about the latest stats on Google Groups of incidents of attacks on hikers. Before you read these stats (shown below), thanks to an email from Tony Heher of Cape Town Hiking Club, this is what I would like to add to the subject of Crime and Self Defense whilst Hiking:


I say, unless you like to hike dressed like our friend above:

1. Do not expect to be 'safe' when you go hiking, especially in areas that are surrounded by typical squatting type communities or low income housing. These areas generally are filled with opportunistic criminals mainly due to poverty. (which is most of Table Mountain in this case).
   
2. Take along a shocker (GREAT for chasing away baboons and monkeys). When you get approached by a criminal, baboon or monkey, snap the shocker to make them aware that you have 'safety gear'.
3. Pepper Spray: apparently this does not work too well if your criminal uses it for pleasurable rush to his head on 'off days'. Its possible, but I would rather have it than not have it. Just make sure you have it replaced with a 'fresh' one at least 1/year.
4. Gun: if you have one, take one. The legal ramifications is your problem if you use it - of course.
   
5. Knife: if you know how to use a knife, like maybe you might have done some sort of self-defense course, then take one. I learnt how to use a knife - and trust me, its NOT like cutting a nice piece of cheese :)
6. Bottom line: whatever you take to protect yourself with - make sure it is within arms length (not like me, at the bottom of my backpack!). My hiking partner (he is such a winner!) ALWAYS takes his shocker and his pepper spray - both are in his back pockets. I always complain that it makes it difficult for me to touch his cute bum. Then I get a grumpy mumble of some sort in return about another lecture on safety. Love it! He is so cute when he grumbles like that :)
   
7. Dogs: your pet is a great deterrent for wanna-be criminals.
   
8. Lastly: Know your gear! if you don't know how to use it - tried and tested - then why do you have it? Consider to go on a self defense course, or go to an open field - please make sure its on a windless day, and test your pepper spray, shoot your gun. Know how it works. How far does your item reach - what are the sounds that it makes - familiarise yourself with how it feels in your hand - know where the trigger button is - how messy is the real deal? Don't be intimated by your own forms of self defense, because trust me, when someone else pulls out a weapon, you are going to WANT to have learnt how to use your own gear, to protect yourself and your fellow hikers.
9. Some easy tips for you to consider if you dont have some sort of weapon:

• Elbow is strongest bone in your body. Use it.
• Knee the person in the groin / or the face / side of leg / stomach / ribs / you name it.
  
• Fingers are excellent to poke into someones eyes.
• Sand is great to throw into someones face.
• Scream - try to let others hear you or know.
  
• Attitude is vital. If you show you are scared, you will be walked over and even maybe raped. If you show aggression, you might be attacked out of pure adrenalin. Stay calm and think clearly of the points above. I know its horrible to consider these factors, but spend some time alone, visualize how you will deal with an attacker one day, what kind of weapon will you use, how will you use it etc.
• When you are done with overpowering your attacker - with whatever you chose to do to eliminate the ordeal - RUN away as fast as you can! if and when they contain themselves, make sure you are not around for their crazy minds to take over and do something stupid again.

Buy a shocker / StunGun at Bid or Buy

Updated Incidents (February 2010)
Signal Hill / (Lions Head is ontop of Signal Hill): (Sunday Feb 14 to Tuesday Feb 16 2010)

Four tourists were robbed there in just three days this week :

• An American man was robbed and apparently injured with a pair of scissors on Sunday morning (14th). R400 was taken. The victim was attacked with a white-handled pair of scissors, causing cuts on both hands.

• A group of three students, studying English at a local language school, were robbed on Tuesday night (16th). A group of three men stepped from behind a tree and threatened to kill them unless they handed over their belongings. Money, cellphones, cameras and watches were stolen. "It was very fast, I think less than a minute. “

Sandy Bay (Saturday 16 Jan 2010 20:30)
ROBBERY – Rocket Road

• Black Male +/- 20 years old threatens walker with a knife. Suspect asks walker to hand over his cellphone and wallet. Walker says no and fight breaks out whereupon suspect stabs the walker in the back and arm and hits him on the head with a rock. Walker taken to Constantiaberg.

ROBBERY Tuesday 2 Feb 2010 14:17 – Sandy Bay (path to Llandudno) -

• Two lady tourists mugged on Sandy Bay beach close to the Llandudno footpath by a group of five males 3 Black males (one in a red sleeveless top and shorts) and 2 coloured males last seen heading toward Kerzner Est. Good response by HBNW, SSP's, Herzner guards and SAPS

Karbonkelberg (Hout Bay): (Friday 8 Jan 19:30)
ROBBERY – Karbonkelberg – CAS 9/1/2010

• 3 colored males, one with a golf club and another with a (toy?) firearm hold up a party of 3 hiking on the Karbonkelberg. They took camera and cellphones. Suspects pepper sprayed by one of the complainants. Mountain was searched by police. Suspects also set fire to the mountain (no case of arson from saps) resulting in helicopter services being activated for many hours, including the next day. All 3 arrested?

Buy your Pepper Spray at Bid or Buy

Year 2009 Incidents:
Silvermine East: 2 Attacks.

• Saturday 23 May 2009: 2 hikers held up & robbed at Amphitheater at about 2.30 or 3pm. Firearm involved.

• Weekend 16/17 May 2009: Attack in the Waterfall area. No further details.

Sandy Bay:

• Sunday, October 19, 2008 19h42 Mugging earlier at Sandy Bay by a group of 4 Bravo males that take off with a bag. Victim reported to be heading to the CSC to lay charges. 19h55 ADT6 detains a matching set of Bravo males with “the bag” at Victoria traffic lights. SAPS asked to attend. 20h22 Long story but as the ‘victims’ never arrived at the CSC, suspects are released to shop another day.

• Friday, February 27, 2009 18h24 Elderly tourist couple mugged, robbed and tied up on Rocket Rd above the dunes. HBNW respond. Two knife wielding Bravo males, one taller than the other carrying a backpack in which the knives were concealed.

• Sunday May 10, 2009 09h22. Serious incident (rape) at Sandy Bay. Suspect Charlie male, 40 yrs old short/stocky wearing black cycle shorts and a white t-shirt, may be well known in HB. Extensive 3 hour search, nothing found.

• Follow-up to 10 May incident: Sandy Bay - Hout Bay police have arrested a man in connection with the rape of a 50-year old woman on a Llandudno beach at the weekend. Lesch said police had made another arrest last night - a man in his late thirties - in connection with the incident. She said the man had initially only been taken in for questioning.

"We had a few positive leads and we followed them up, this is what led to his arrest," she said. "The suspect left some clothes on the beach after the incident and these will be sent for tests. " she said. The suspect, who is from the Hout Bay area, is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

• Beware also Rhodes Memorial area where bicycle riders are targeted from time to time. Last incident in this area was in March 2009.

Good luck! any other advice from the readers will be great?

Security on the Mountain

Mountain Club South Africa - Cape Town:

Please also note that this Friday 17th, in addition to the film, there will be a talk by Kelee Arrowsmith on Advanced Conflict Training which teaches people how to develop a safety plan for themselves and their families. There will also be a demonstration of pepper sprays and an opportunity to purchase.

Cyclist robbed at knife point near Rhodes Memorial

A cyclist riding on the mountain this morning (sat 11 July) - making his way up Plum Pudding Hill from the Cape Town side - was accosted by 2 black men with knives. They wanted his cellphone and money - weren't interested in the bike. They only took his phone and in parting slashed the back tyre of his bike.

Their MO was that the one came up out of the bushes and sat on a rock next to the path. As he approached the guy stood up and showed his knife. Rider stopped and got off bike telling him he could take it. Then became aware that there was another guy behind him also with knife.

They asked for his cellphone and the guy behind opened up the riders back shirt pocket to remove the phone. They also asked for money but he didn't have any on him.

Rondebosch police are looking for two knife-weilding suspects who are very mobile in the Rhodes Mem/ Town area. They are apparently "working" this area up and down mountain.

Please caution walkers and riders - they are not a pleasant pair to encounter.

Source: Mountain Club South Africa

Its wise to never walk alone: (10 Hiking Commandments - that will save your life)
The Walking Buddy group is up and running, so do join if you want to walk with an informal group, or are willing to take people with you. See the article on this for more information.