Suikerbosrand – Hartebees Hut
21—22nd January 2006
by Tonie Lazarus
Participants: Antionette, Garreth, Betty, Carole, Kevin, Lucilla, Bertha, Tonie, Brenda and Cynthia.
Once again I am leading a backpacking hike in the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. What a convenient and enjoyable place to hike so close to home, for you East Rander’s. The reserve has various hike options, with some sections being quite demanding, if the weather is also hot. On the Saturday morning at 7 o’clock, we met at the entrance, with an overcast sky. We all got ready after entering the reserve, and started hiking just after eight o’clock.
We had a diverse group, with two co SARS employees of Bertha’s joining us, and then there was Betty Connellan, who decided after four years, that now was the right time to start backpacking again. Betty, I hope you enjoyed the hike, and had a special birthday experience with us on the Sunday. You coped very well, and do not have to worry about your backpacking capabilities. Remember one thing, that when somebody walks with you, it is not because you are holding them up, but because they enjoy your company (sometimes I have noticed that some of them are just “poegaai”).
With real excellent hiking weather, we set of with a cool breeze blowing and cloudy sky, and went up the demanding eastern slopes of Baboon Ridge quite quickly, with a deserved rest at the top. We then passed the stonewall built by one of the early farmers to divert water trapped by a dolerite dyke into the side valley, and the Randjies Lookout spot, before descending down to Springbok Hut. After a “tea” break there, we climbed up past Toring op, at 1 913m the highest spot in Gauteng, on our way to Steenbok Hut, passing through the densely forested Koedoekloof. Just before Steenbok Hut we passed Feeskrans, and for the first time that I know of, no sound was heard from the baboons. After the rains, it seems that they have enough to eat, or have other things to do then make noises. I must mention that the fields(grasslands) is in extremely good condition, with most plants having grown so, that the path at some places is overgrown.
We had our lunch break at Steenbok Hut, and with the sun now out and in full force, proceeded to Hartebeest Hut. This part became demanding, and we had quite a few water intake stops, before reaching the Hut. After a pleasant night, we started on our way back to Diepkloof, the visitors centre. Once again the weather was on our side, with cool hiking conditions, and after ascending hyaenakloof, we all seem to be dashing back to the car park. But, the cement jeep track uphill and the deceptive one just before the end that I forgot about, was still ahead. But with Carole’s help, I made it. I hope the two SARS employees are OK, as they both had very bad blisters, and hope that this does not put them off hiking.
A thank you to all who participated, and for making this a most enjoyable hike. PS. As promised, next time we are going to potjie.
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