Footprints Revealed - Video of our Road-trip to the Richtersveld, Kgalagadi, Augrabies and Namaqua

This post is not really about hiking, but I thought I'd share this article with you anyway, as we did to a short 3 hour walk in the Kgalagadi during our trip.  Hiking in this area during December is either prohibited or not advisable due to the extreme heat.  Hope you like watching our videos :)

We visited the Richtersveld and Kgalagadi in Dec 2010 and I did a video of our trip. 

Anyone interested in seeing what it looks like here, or have been here to be reminded of your trip to these locations, might be interested to see the videos of these 2 arid parks.

The reason why I recorded it was for the viewer to see what the environment looks like, the type of roads to expect if you go here and the type of accommodation available if u planning a trip to these destinations. I lost the footage of day 1, so it was replaced with photographs, but the rest of the road-trip is video and photographs combined.

Under each link is a short description of the content.  Ideally I would have put the whole video on the forum post, but Im not sure if it is possible, so here are the links:

Day 1 & 2 going to the Richtersveld - Dec 2010
The start of a 11 day road-trip :)  Leaving Cape Town on the 21st of December 2010, heading for a small village in the Richtersveld called Kuboes which was recently also declared a "World Heritage Site"  This video series (Days1 - 10) shows you what to expect if you choose to also visit these places.  We hope you will find it informative, as we had fun making this video especially for this reason.  Thanks for watching !!!

Day 3 Richtersveld - Dec 2010
Day 3, we leave the Richtersberg campsite, and travel to Kokerboomkloof, Helshoogte and Akkedis pass. Along the way we see some more hard core 4x4 types passing us with caravans in tow (respect to them!) as this is a extremely harsh and rugged environment for any visitor traveling through this arid park. At the end is a quick look at the accommodation in Sendelingsdrif on the banks of the Orange River. 

NOTE: This footage was shot about 2 weeks prior to the river level rising by 8-9 meters (from about the 2nd week in January 2011) and most of it got damaged or washed away.

Day 4 am Richtersveld - Dec 2010
From our overnight spot in Sendelingsdrif in the Richtersveld, we cross the Orange River by the pontoon, and head into Namibia to drive along the road next to the Orange River.

Day 4 pm Richtersveld / Namibia side - Dec 2010
Crossing over the Fish river at the point where it flows into the Orange River, passing Aussenkeihr, Noordoewer and heading towards Bushwacked to go river rafting.

Day 5 Fish River Canyon - Dec 2010
Leaving from our river rafting venue (Bushwacked) by the Orange River, we head back into Namibia to the Fish River Canyon, via a quick stop at the /Ai-/Ais, to overnight at The Canon Roadhouse.

Day 6 Road to Kgalagadi Dec 2010
Do you want to know what the roads look like driving there?  Then this explains it a little. You see the entrance to the reserve and some animals and a small section on the Urikaruus Camp.  I think that this camp is built from materials to make for a very hot spot in summer and freezing in winter. I did not like staying here one bit. We were here in the heat of summer and from experience I can just imagine that this place must be as cold in winter as it was hot in summer. The old mining style buildings just does not work for me when it comes to shelter / temperature control.

Day 7 Urikaruus to Nossob - Kgalagadi Dec 2010
Wow, this day was jam-packed with a variety of wild animals... almost every animal on this road trip was an experience to remember. Animals in this video are bat-ear fox, black-backed jackal, black mane lion, cheetah, ground squirrel, cheetah chase, secretary bird coming in for a graceful landing and a typical sandy whirlwind, baby springbok fawn, baby barking gecko.

Day 8 The unfenced Polentswa camp - Kgalagadi Dec 2010
A drive from Nossob Camp to our next stop for the night, the Polentswa unfenced camp. 

Day 8 midday Polentswa Raptors - Kgalagadi Dec 2010
Who would have thought they let them out the cage at midday?!  Wow, what a spectacular sighting this was for us... about 20 raptors frolicking in and around the Polentswa watering hole at the same time.  Our best sighting of the trip! spent hours here and loved every second of it.

Day 9 early am Polentswa and the Brown Hyaena - Kgalagadi Dec 2010
We went to the watering hole at Polentswa to see if we can find something, and this beautiful Brown Hyaena came to drink some water.  He seemed very shy too.

Day 9 late morning Polentswa to Nossob - Kgalagadi Dec 2010
After a quick stop at the Polentswa watering hole, we headed back to Nossob Camp.  We found a male lion roaring away in the heat of the morning... the same culprit who kept us awake the night before.

Day 9 pm Nossob to Kalahari Tented Camp - Kgalagadi Dec 2010
We found a lion resting in the Dikbaardskolk picnic spot and a Martial Eagle drinking rainwater in the road.

Day 10 pm Augrabies Dec 2010
We left the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park around lunchtime and headed for Augrabies which we were told is in flood.  Little did we know, that about 10 days later, this waterfall increased about 5 times to what you see in this video and washed the viewpoints away...

NOTE: This footage was shot about 2 weeks prior to the river level rising by 8-9 meters (from about the 2nd week in January 2011) and most of it got damaged or washed away.


In conclusion, we drove 4300km over 11 days and stayed in a different spot each night. It was far and hot.  95% of the cars that we saw were Toyota Raiders.  Our Toyota Raider was such a pleasure to be in and we understood why: the car was very comfortable to drive and made for these type of environments.  From now on, we will try to stay in one accommodation for at least 2 nights or more.   Our next park to visit is Tankwa then Kruger and probably back to the Kgalagadi...

Kgalagadi Richtersveld Augrabies Namaqualand

We spent about 6 months planning our roadtrip to the Northern Cape.  It went by in a flash.  We went to look for a place called no-where and found nothing.  We also went to a place called the Kgalagadi. If I had to describe it, I would say it was an experience of a life time.

They say if you go to the Kgalagadi, you will always want to go back.  Well, for us it was like that for sure, but we also want to go back, because even though I grew up next to Kruger and spent most of my life in it, we felt like city slickers stepping into no-mans land.  Booted and geared to the tipping point of perfection (or not!)  On the other hand, that city feeling - TIME - and not having enough of it, never left our side.  "we need more time!" was key to our subconscious most of the 11 days.  4100km later, we arrived back home, already planning for our next adventure.

We will be going back some time for sure, this time armed with a tripod mounted to the car - promise.  The images are being edited and the story is being written, and as soon as I have enough TIME - now that Im back at work - I will load this mind blowing experience on here to share with you our whirlwind tour through the Northern Cape.

Even though our video clips will not be movie-like quality, we had so much fun recording this trip to the Richtersveld, Kgalagadi, Augrabies and Namaqualand.  In the mean time, if I were you, get your anti-nausea tablets ready, because my video clips will soon be uploaded and hope you will enjoy the ride with us.

I know, holidays should be exactly that.  Lessons learnt: spend more time in 1 location and since we are so into our filming and photography, marry the tripod!

Wildcard Renewal process sucks

So far this has been my experience in getting our WildCard updated:

1 Nov:
Get email notification that Infinity no longer manages Wild Card. they said to pls go to SANPARKS website and update your card so that the new management have what they need to have.

• we go there to update the information.  We get linked to www.wildcard.co.za and then we have to find the form...

19 Nov:
get sms from INFINITY to say the following:
"WILD Cardholder: Your WILD Card, 1234xxxxx, is expiring on 21/12/2010. GO WILD, renew your WILD Card by calling 0861234002 or visiting www.wildcard.co.za"

• since we have done the website thing, we called the given number.
• we get told to go to the nearest WildCard (Sanparks) office... Canal Walk Entrance 2.
• at the office in Canal Walk we get given and told to fill in this form and fax it to 021 701 8773 (Done)

after completing the above form, I venture off to phone SANPARKS on 0861 469 453, the phone rang and then I was put on hold for 4 minutes, and then got cut off.

again, I decided to call 0861234002 again to find out something else, again they refer me to Sanparks.

my point being:
all this backwards and forwards commotion to get this card updated so that we can go on holiday with a valid card... getting directed from pillar to post.

1. After updating our info on the SANPARKS website, they now tell us its not valid we have to do it again.  we do it again... for just in case.
2. Calling the number on the Wildcard sms, only to be told we must actually call another number...
3. Call the other number, to be put on hold for 4 minutes and then get cut off...
4. going to Canal Walk to be told its not there its somewhere else...
5. have been given the above form to fax off into cyberspace and hoping something will be done about it.

why all the missioning? why not send out 1 sms to refer us to SOMEONE SOMEWHERE that can help us to get it done first time. 

I just dont know how companies actually survive.  grrr

Whats On? A job opportunity and some awesome hikes around the Western Cape

Opportunity to work on Gough Island - Urgent: last boat leaves on 23 Nov

"One of the 2 field assistants who went down to Gough Island in September has to return to Cape Town for medical reasons. We have a very small window to recruit a potential replacement - last ship to the island sails on 23 November (2 weeks!)

If any of you know someone who might be keen at very short notice to drop everything and go to Gough until October 2011, please send Richard (richard_cuthbert@yahoo.co.uk) and me (pryan31@gmail.com) their details. Ideally we need someone with basic rope access skills, as part of the job entails ongoing control of Sagina on the cliffs adjacent to the base.

The balance of the work includes seabird monitoring and some research as well as work with the land birds (checking them in captivity in the lead up to a potential mouse eradication attempt). There is another field worker on the island who will be able to lead the team.
Please send this on to anyone who might be interested.

Many thanks
Peter Ryan
Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
University of Cape Town


Friday, November 19
Don Jepson will show Trail hiking in the Swiss Alps combined with early winter snow - September 2010 (Hosted by Gill Gimberg)

Weekend, November 20 & 21
The HIGHLANDS TRAIL is a two-day circular route (37km) in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. The walk starts in the forests between Grabouw and Kleinmond. The first day descends to Botriviervlei and then continues along the beach to Kleinmond. We'll overnight at a hut in Kleinmond and return the next day via Perdeberg Peak. Maximum group size of 10. Convenor Bruce Spottiswoode 084 548 8220. Book from 8 November. Co-convenor Christina Jongens 072 241 8530.

Saturday, November 20
(Conservation)
Meet at the top of Price Drive, Constantia at 2pm. Jos de Gendt 021 712 7506

Weekend, November 20 & 21
SCORPION AND TARANTULA PEAKS, WAAIHOEK MOUNTAINS. Leave early Saturday morning for 2 long days of big walking over rough mountain terrain, so a high level of fitness required. Full overnight gear required. Convenor Chris Goodwin 083 310 1747 before 8pm. Book from 8 November. Co-convenor Mark Middleton 082 924 5605.

Sunday, November 21
RIGHT FACE / ARROW FACE. Table Mountain classic with some B grade scrambling and moderate exposure. Suitable for the not so fit as the pace will be “unhurried”. (Dave’s not so good with uphill any more!) . Convenor Dave Wolfaardt David@WeDrive.co.za anytime, or call 082 378 5072 from 15 November between 6-8pm. Co-convenor, Jenni Fitzell.

Thursday, November 25
(Classic rock) MUIZENBERG RECESS (E grade). A most attractive Muizenberg trad rock climb with a delightful traverse and face climb on the first pitch. Numbers limited. Convenor Eric Harley 021 712 3642. Book from 22 November. Co-convenor Jose Heitor 082 460 9858.

Thursday, November 25
OPPELSKOP RIDGE - DEVILS PEAK ‘B’ scrambling. Meet at Tafelberg road parking under the bluegums below the Saddle zig-zag path at 07h30. NO NEED TO BOOK BUT don’t be late else you will miss us because we will leave promptly. Bring clothing for all kinds of weather (ie for hot and cold), and enough food and drinks for morning tea and lunch. We hope to be back at the cars by mid afternoon so don’t come if you have to be home before that. We will do something no matter what the weather, but may amend the route depending on conditions. Convenors Mike & Doreen Scott.

Friday, November 26
Bushveld Khaki Fever by Jane Goodfellow
Gill Gimberg will introduce Jane Goodfellow, who will give a slide presentation and tell us how her mid-life crisis led to her spending 6 months in the bushveld and two months in Namibia amongst wild animals, and will explain the dangers of khaki fever!

Saturday, November 27
TOUR OF TABLE MOUNTAIN! Start at Constantia Nek, follow the contour path to the base of Platteklip Gorge, with a detour via Newlands Ravine. Ascend Table Mountain via Platteklip (or Left Face B, weather permitting) and then make our way to the TM hut where we spend the night. The next day we either return straight to the Nek (easy option) or go down via Llandudno Ravine, and then follow the trail that takes us towards Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine, but we drop down to Farrier’s Way at that point and hike back up to the Nek via the pipe track on the other side of Constantia main road. Reasonably fast pace, with grade of B+ if we take Left Face B. Party limited to 12. Convenor Guy Meredith 084 615 4370 or email guy.meredith@amberjack.co.za. Book from 22 November. Co-convenor Jonathan Mylrea.

Weekend, November 27 & 28
ARRANGIESKOP 2-day trail overlooking Robertson. This includes a tough ascent rewarded by the king of hiking lodges at the day’s end. Nervous Sunday slope shuffles in the morning are followed by easy country downhills. Convenor Dave Wolfaardt David@WeDrive.co.za anytime, or call 082 378 5072 from 1 November between 6-8pm. First six paid up applicants only (price TBC). Co-convenor Jenni Fitzell.

Saturday, November 27
(Outreach) END OF YEAR OUTING: NEWLANDS FOREST (early due to school holidays). Please volunteer to help with the day's activities, hikes and preparing the food. Convenor: Urs Huber (H) 021 559 7947 or 084 713 5545.

Source: Mountain Club South Africa (Explore - Discover - Protect - Connect) 

.

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.

Full Moon Hiking at Dirtopia

Looking good. I have always wanted to go on this hike, but never get to it.  Its a windless day, so it should be a good hike tonight.  Note to self: no drinking when hiking in the dark. Remember to take Petzl and coffee flask, warm gear (beani and dress in layers)!

Will try to document it for the blog too.  Ed.

PS: Happy booking your U2 Tickets in the mean time :)

________________________________________________________________________

Our next Hi-Tec Full Moon Hike will be on the 23^rd of October (details attached and below) with panoramic views from Klapmutskop, it promises to be a night to remember….

If you would like to making a booking please send us a mail!

See you there!

Warm regards,

Nicolene van der Merwe

-discover the soul of mountain biking- " uh, and hiking!, Ed. :) "

Tel:     021 884 4752

Fax:    086 614 2808

Web:  www.dirtopia.co.za

Full Moon. Where to go...

Click here to find out where to go hiking on the next full moon.

Full Moon Calendar

Month/Year	2009	2010	2011	2012
January	10	30	19	9
February	9	28	18	7
March	10	29	19	8
April	9	28	17	6
May	9	27	17	5
June	7	26	15	4
July	7	25	15	3
August	5	24	13	1 & 31
September	4	23	12	29
October	4	22	11	29
November	2	21	10	28
December	2 & 31	21	10	28

Hiking Trails Jonkers Hoek

Jonkershoek Plantation is situated just outside the very scenic town of Stellenbosch.  We decided to do the easier route on this day, called 'Tweede Waterval'. 

The whole route was about 6km there and back.

Getting there:  pay a nominal entrance fee at the gate and drive your car in for about 5km.  The start of the walk starts at the furthest point of this circular jeep track around the lake.  Park your car there and follow the signs.

The walk if fairly flat, easy and very traightforward.  As soon as you get to the point indicated in the image below, you will start climbing towards the gorge.  This is where the path gets a bit haizy and one can often assume the route stops somewhere here...

continue to follow the path downwards into the valley by the stream.  Cross over the stream and continue to follow the path up towards the 'look out' point.

This is where we decided to rather follow our noses and head upstream into the valley.  At first it looked impossible, so we decided to walk in the river path for as far as we can.  This turned out the become a beautiful discovery for everyone...

being able to walk right to the waterfall was such a peaceful experience...

... always taking pictures :)

after spending about an hour inside the river, having a lunch break, we headed back under the now very hot sun, 3km to our cars.

I forgot to load this walk on my blog. and am a little rusty on the details.  Its given me a reason to just have to go back here again.... but its dedicated by Al to his brother Russle.

Dont ever forget to stop and appreciate the wild animals roaming freely all over the place!

Wolfberg Cracks - Part 1: Getting there

Hiking Trail: Wolfberg Cracks and Wolfberg Arch
Name of Reserve / Area: Private Property, Cederberg,
Nearest Town/s: Clanwilliam via N7, or Ceres via N1
Province: Western Cape
Country: South Africa

Duration of hike: 8 hours

Directions to get there: It took us 3 hours from Cape Town, but we also were stuck in the peak hour traffic at 16h00 for an hour, so it took us 4 long hours to get there.

From Cape Town CBD, take the N1 towards Paarl. Take the turnoff towards Wellington, and pass through it and follow the R44.  Pass the Voelvlei Dam on your right and continue until the road makes a 3way junction. Turn right at the junction towards Ceres (and not Tulbach). Follow the road to Ceres.  Once you get into the small town of Ceres, turn left at the second set of traffic lights.  Pass through Prince Alfred's Hamlet.

 As soon as you have driven through PA Hamlet, you will head up onto the Gydo Pass, which then takes you to an even smaller town called Op Die Berg (in an area also known as Die Koue Bokkeveld). Continue on the R303 and soon just outside Oppi Berg, you need to turn right at the Cederberg Sign

 A 17km tarred road will take you onto a gravel road.  From here you need to keep left and follow the Oasis signs for 48km to your over night destination called Oasis.

The following morning we had a scrumptious breakfast, bacon, eggs, toast and a good cuppa coffee to get us going.  This farm kitchen is filled with character and definitely worth a visit.

Gerrit was ready to personally draw up the map of our planned route for the day.  This was 2 A4 pages of pure mapping on both sides.  We held on to this map like never before.  And oh boy, did this map help us enjoy our journey just that much more.  Thanks Gerrit!

 With your back to Oasis, you follow the road to the right for about 6.5km and turn left at the Clan William sign.

...3km further is where you pass the sign for Stadsaal Caves and Rock Art.

Drive for another 3km where the road forkes left to Krom Rivier.  Dont turn left here, but take the right more obvious main road and drive for 5km to the Sanddrif Wine Farm.  This is where we stocked up on necessities (like Cederburg Cabernet) and our permits for the hike.


After leaving Sanddrif main house, turn left towards another Sanddrif sign.  The road drives down into the valley through a few cottages and soon you will cross a low water bridge.  After the bridge take a sharp right.  The road splits into 3. Take the left fork, drive pass more cottages and what seemed like a stunning and very popular camping ground. The road forkes again, take the left fork upwards until you reach the gate.  Enter in your code and drive through to the furthest end where you can park your car and start the walk.



Contact Information:
We stayed at the Oasis Bed and Breakfast.
GPS CORDINATE
23. 33. 20. 21 S
19. 21. 55. 31 E
Tel: +27 27 482 2819
cederberg@telkomsa.net

The owners were extremely friendly and welcoming.  Once you get there, you feel a very welcome vibe.  The visitors seem like regulars, and the place was packed to the brim with tents and the rooms were all fully booked.

Our room did not have an on-suite shower, but we were lucky to have the loo next door to it and a small area on the balcony to make our fire to cook our food on.

Cost was R120pppd, and breakfast was an added R40pp, but comes highly recommended before a journey like the one we were about to tackle.


Best time of year to go: .
April (its coming to the end of summer) and September (just after winter, and flowers everywhere)

What costs did you incur to do this hike:
Accomodation: R120pppd
Breakfast: R40pp
Permit for Cracks: R25pp
Permit for Arch: R25pp

How safe is it: There is no crime here.

Fresh Water: None. Take at least 3 liters per person if you are going to the Wolfberg Arch.

Difficulty: Very easy climb to the top, but its a long hike. Tricky to know where exactly to go, but with good guidance from our host at Oasis (Gerrit), we headed for the hills with confidence.

It took us about 1h30 to get to the top of the cracks.
Then another 1h30min inside the cracks,
30min coffee break
and then an 1h30min to walk to the Arch.
30min at the Arch,
1h30min to walk back,
and 1h30min to get back down.
Total walking time of about 8 hours...

Pets: No pets allowed, environment is very harsh.

How will I rate this hike? Best hike Ive done so far in my life.  Loved it.

The rest of this hike is documented under the Wolfberg Cracks link.  I hope you enjoy reading this hike as much as we enjoyed doing it.  Or just scroll down for Parts 2,3,4 & 5.

We can not wait to go back here again, and hopefully take a group of people with us next time.

Wolfberg Cracks - Part 2: Finding the Crack

Panorama of Sanddrif Valley.

(Click on images for enlargement

all images by Alex Aitkenhead)

To get to this part of the hike, we drove for 4 hours from Cape Town, and spent the night at Oasis Bed and Breakfast.  Then we drove another 22km to get our permits at Sanddrif Wine Farm, and our final 2km to get to the parking area and the start of this route.

I had been waiting for 2 years to do this route.  There was always something that stopped me from doing it. Alex and I were both very excited to finally get here and start the trek up this gauntlet.

This part of the route is fairly simple:  Follow the path to the top.

It was not long before our car became a small speck in the car park below.

After walking for 45 minutes, you will reach this massive square rock.  This marks the halfway spot in your up route in terms of time.

The tricky part of the route starts here.  I have marked the rocks in the picture below to help you should you wish to follow this route yourself.
1,2,3 are bolders that have rolled down and blocked the path up.  This is where you need to find your way around the right of boulder 3 and get to the back of it and aim in the direction of point 4 behind it.
(Note: if you pass the left of boulder no.1,  you can also climb up the easy route to the top (follow the sign).  This is not recommended, as you will be missing out on the most special part of this route). 
4. Here you are faced with a 2.5m (90 degree) climb onto the ledge leading to point 5.  But first get yourself to point 4.

Once you have reached point 4. A short scramble to the top will take you onto a easy ledge.

Follow the ledge to the end, turn left at the end.  Be careful as there is one section where the ledge is not wider than an A4 size paper.  It gets better immediately after this point.

A short scramble will take you to a massive arch in front of you.  Once you reach the arch, scramble between the rocks marked 1 & 2 into a beautiful rock-filled amphitheater.

In the picture below, the amphitheater is show to be about 20m in width.  Scramble over the rocks, directly across and opposite the arch.  Do not take the more obvious (but not easy) route to your right (more or less where the people are standing in the picture).  Rather walk across in the direction of where this photo was taken from.  Im sorry to not have taken a picture of this, but for now this is the best that I can do here.

You will be walking towards a massive rock cave, seen in the image below.

Above pic sourced from lastfrog.co.za

Enter this cave on its left side.  Its a tight squeeze for 6m of darkness.  But you are able to see the light on the other end, the moment you enter the cave.  Be careful, and best to switch on your petzl lamp on this tiny part of the route.

The next section of this route took us into the most beautiful rock formation hidden deep into this mountain.