Helderberg West Peak

“We’ll take it easy”, said Santie. She was responding to my reminder to her that I had just recovered from pneumonia contracted in, or on the way to, frigid Canada over the holiday season (I literally never get sick, so this was an unwelcome surprise). I have climbed West Peak before, but that was more than 25 years ago and I had forgotten how high and steep the climb is. The day was warm and humid, but I made it. West Peak is 1003 m ASL; we gained 905 m in elevation, albeit with many liberal stops for me to get my heart rate down and Santie to botanise. Apparently she has observed over 2000 species on iNaturalist already.

The recovery of the fynbos after the fires is always remarkable to see. The southern slopes of the Helderberg are going to be covered in a sea of protea. On the higher slopes masses of blonde grass give the illusion of dappled sunlight. We descended via the neck and Porcupine Ridge, where a little care needs to be taken. Tired, but happy, a great day was rounded off by a welcome hamburger and beer in Beach Road.

I had also forgotten how pleasant a place the Helderberg Nature Reserve (HNR) is to visit. HNR was proclaimed in 1960 and is managed by the City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity branch, in concert with an enthusiastic Friends of HNR group of volunteers. The new interpretive centre deserves a visit and it would be wonderful if the reserve resurrects its old tearoom.

Visit the Helderberg photo album with photos over the years