Scrambling up the Cathedral
Katedraal is the Afrikaans name for the Second Ridge Peak, one of the thin, serrated ridges that line the eastern rim of the Jonkershoek valley south of the Pieke(Twin Peaks). The Mountain Club's Stellenbosch section tackled it as yet another cold front made ready to...
Solitary walk on Stellenbosch Mountain
When Paul bailed from our planned hike I was so desperate to get into the mountains again that I did something that is not recommended and is potentially stupid: I went hiking alone. It was the first hot day of spring, 34°C or so, and crystal clear. Cape Point was...
Bobbejaansrivier potholes
The Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone does incredible panorama shots. This was taken on the Bobbejaansrivier (Baboon River), a tributary of the Witte River that courses down Bain's Kloof. It was a beautiful midwinter day, yesterday.:
Digital Patagonia
Digitally processed images from the Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares treks and Tierra del Fuego. I have tried to select some of the better photos and give them some unusual treatment. Perhaps it works and adds drama to the scenes; perhaps it doesn't. Click on the...
Patagonian treks: Torres del Paine
I could try and describe the extreme beauty of Torres del Paine in words - but that would be futile. I would rather let our photos convey some sense of its wonder and grandeur. We walked the classic 'W'-trail over 9 days covering some 107 km, starting at the CONAF...
A circuit of Paarl Mountain
There are many easy walking routes around the granite inselbergs of Paarl Mountain, most of them ideally suited to leisurely outings with a young family. Paul and I decided to get into the outdoors again for the first time after our return from trekking in Patagonia....
Patagonian treks: Los Glaciares
The first of our treks in southern Patagonia during April was the classic circuit at the northern end of Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Glacier National Park), in Argentina's Santa Cruz province. The 5-day circuit of 53.5 km takes one to the glaciers, lakes and...
Leopard’s Gorge, Kogelberg
Here's an easy yet spectacular walk for the family. The 7-and-a-bit km hike takes you through a 400 m rise and fall in elevation, from the Palmiet River valley, through an old indigenous forest to glorious views above Betty's Bay. Photos and a Google Earth track...
On top of Slanghoek Pile
Slanghoek Pile - the name is evocative. Of what I am not quite sure (slanghoek is Dutch/Afrikaans and translates roughly to "snake corner"). An MCSA outing, the hike there and back is 16.4 km in length and climbs and descends 1272 m. The walk up comprised two...
Blasting at Kraalbaai (windsurfing)
This was a little less mellow than last time - the wind pomped. Middle-aged windsurfers go to Kraalbaai in the West Coast National Park for some mellow cruising while the family plays in the sheltered shallows. Personally, I feel that this place is one of the most...
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