Uitkyk
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
by Dave Barry
 Our day hike to Uitkyk on August 27, 2006,was truly blessed. Not only was it cooler than last year (and many of you will remember that stiff climb in the insufferable heat), but also there were no veld fires and little haze to mar the spectacular views from this gem of the Magaliseberg trails. This was my second visit and I enjoyed it even more a second time.
We were a small party comprising Tonie and Bertha Lazarus with little Sebastian, Sally and John Jones, yours truly, John Meyer and a visitor Theresia. Our group moved quickly, possibly as we did not encounter that oppressive heat reflecting off the granite outcrops. And small groups tend to move quicker anyway. Even Sebastian wanted to join in the fun. Better buy those small hiking boots soon!
For a change we could sniff the fresh air without the acrid smell of veld fires nearby. It had been raining fairly heavily, judging by the loose particles of sand left in the paths, which must have had plenty of water coursing down them. This made the going a bit trickier than before, as our boots slipped more easily.
 On nearing the summit we reached a fork in the path, and the more adventurous of us took the route to the right around and into the kloof. This was fairly heavy going and a bit confusing in places as someone had thoughtlessly festooned the rocks with numerous white markers. Some of these had been blotted out with brown paint, which looked like dried blood – and proved to be just as much of an eyesore. Extraordinary what lengths graffitists will go to!
We had breakfast on top and took in the magnificent view over the dam and along the Magaliesberg range. And the best thing about Uitkyk is the absence of the din made by breakfast runners on their motor bikes, whose presence is always heard on Sunday walks in places like Segwati and Vergenoeg.
John Meyer, like Kevin Healey, also seems to like making fires, so he kindly volunteered to go back before the rest of us to get the lunch-time braais underway. He soon disappeared and by the time we all made it back to base, sure enough several fires were burning away.
Our visitor Theresia had many questions to ask about equipment and clothing for hiking, and that is always the best approach for newcomers. Have a good look at other people’s stuff and ask plenty of questions before buying too hastily. If you can find someone good-natured who will lend you equipment, so much the better. Then you can actually try it out and see whether the same will suit you. The problem is that most hiking shops are staffed by people who never hike; so rather get the advice you need from your club.
And for the Techno Geeks: we covered 8.13km. Although the Starting Point is 3843 feet above sea level, the lowest point of the route would be the approach to the bridge under the main road at 3784 feet. As the summit is 4968 feet, we climbed through a total of 1184 feet.
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