This is another loop along the Twelve Apostles, ascending via the Diagonal (up the kloof on the left, above) and descending via Oudekraalkloof to return along the Pipe Track – 12.9 km in total and climbing through 1039 m. Santie chose the route, which included a lunch stop in Tranquillity Cracks, which is filled with real yellowwood trees. A calm and atmospheric place, aptly named.
On this day a north-wester was pushing a cold front towards the peninsula. Along the Twelve Apostles path that runs south, east of the ridge, we walked in cloud mist. Walking in these conditions lends a disembodied feel to the hike. Visibility is limited to tens of metres and one has no sense of elevation and orientation. The descent of Oudekraalkloof is steep with loose stones acting as ball-bearings. So we went carefully. Further along where the path traverses a ledge below the cliff, the ledge’s edge was just visible above a grey void. It made the trail seem more precarious than it really is. We blundered about here a bit as a result, looking for a “safer” route only to discover we were on the trail after all.
From the junction with the Corridor Ravine path, site of a previous ascent, it was a relatively easy walk back along the Pipe Track. Slangolie Ravine has been badly washed away. A tasty pizza in Tamboerskloof wrapped up a satisfying day.
Photo by Santie Gouws
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