Angel’s Wing Hiking Trail
Near Clarens : 2 Day Base Camp
18th to 20th February 2011
by Carole Elliott
Hikers: Tonie & Bertha Lazarus (Leaders), Alex & Trudy Elshove, Barry Elshove, Tony Kartsounis, Rachel Smith-Rainsford, Mike Bisset, Karen Irwin, Jenny Olivier, Cynthia Webber, Kevin Healey, Terry Banks, Betty Connellan, Frances Kirkup, Carole Elliott, Elaine Deyzel, Erica Meyer, Betsie Smith, Carin le Roux.
We arrived in Clarens at 2.45 pm on a gloomy overcast afternoon. From there we made our way to the Sunnyside Hotel, 10 km past the town, where we parked our car in the bottom field near the bowling club. Etienne arrived at 5.00 pm and took the first group, and our gear, up to Ouma’s Kraal hiking hut. Because of the amount of rain they have had this season, the road is badly eroded so we were very pleased that Etienne was using his truck and doing the driving. It was an exhilarating ride and by the time the rest of the group had arrived, which took another 2 trips, it was dark and it had started raining. The downpour continued during the evening, so Tonie and Bertha decided to sleep on the veranda instead of putting up their tent.
DAY 1: Distance 11.5 km: It rained most of the night, but thankfully stopped before dawn, however, it made the path very wet underfoot. We left at 7.30 and after a climb the trail took us down into a gorge, a totally different route to the old Ouma’s Kraal hike. Amazing sandstone rocks, ouhout trees and indigenous bush, beautiful waterfalls, we even walked behind a waterfall “Agter Deur” with a climb out and up onto the ridge above. We never kept an actual count but we must have done about 30 river crossings. Halfway through the day the sole on Terry’s boot started top part company with the upper, so she finished the day with the one boot held together with laces. The guys got back to the house first and got the donkey boiler going for hot showers, a real treat as most of us were caked with mud. The day ended on a high note as our wonderful hike leaders excelled themselves with a superb chicken potjie and Bertha’s famous pot bread.
DAY 2: Distance 8 km: A clear sunny morning with splendid views of surrounding area both lush and green. Although Terry’s boots were in poor shape she declined a lift back to our cars and put her trust in the laces to get her through the day. This time we had to clamber down a rustic ladder to get us into the gorge. The waterfalls and pools were even more spectacular than the first day. The pools were large and deep, crystal clear and perfect for swimming. The later part of the route took us up to the top of a sandstone cliff with awe-inspiring 360 deg views. By this time Terry’s boots were totally wrecked as both soles were now completely detached, so more emergency laces had to be used to hold the soles to the uppers, not ideal for the climb down. Finally, with the cars in sight, a steep decent, through a crevice, past huge sandstone overhang and then down to the river below where another challenge awaited us. We had to cross the river on two logs (one above the other) so one had to hug and hang on to the top log, whilst shuffling one’s feet to the left on the bottom log and with quite a drop to the river below.
Ettiene and Annali, the trail organisers, were waiting by the cars with our lunch.
A Special Thank You: To our leaders and the guys, for all the encouragement and help with the river crossings and ladders!
Special Notice: Terry Banks is buying new boots!
From: The Galloping Granny’s – Carole, Terry, Betty and Frances
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