Ralph Pina
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Five days in Groot Winterhoek

Five days in Groot Winterhoek

by Ralph Pina | May 21, 2022 | Groot Winterhoek Wilderness, hiking

I was privileged to be invited, with five others, by Santie to share her birthday hike in the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area – one day for each decade. Although we had wonderful weather – windless and sunny – and simply being out there with...
Mad dogs and Englishmen …

Mad dogs and Englishmen …

by Ralph Pina | Dec 24, 2020 | Cederberg Wilderness Area, hiking, wilderness trail

… go out in the midday sun (in the Cederberg in summer) Or so the song goes. Except that the hiking group comprised a Belgian, a German, a half-Dutchman, a half-Greek-Cypriot and a boeremeisie – the instigator. All keen hikers and outdoorspeople. Almost...
A militarised Wolhuter Wilderness Trail

A militarised Wolhuter Wilderness Trail

by Ralph Pina | Aug 26, 2019 | Kruger National Park, safari travel, trails, wilderness trail

Kruger National Park This was my third or fourth Wolhuter Trail since the late nineties, but it was like no other. The anti-poaching ¨war¨ has changed the atmosphere in the park. It is like we are clinging on to a century-old, island model of conservation that is...

Langeberg Traverse – Rim of Africa

by Ralph Pina | Nov 24, 2014 | Boosmansbos Wilderness Area, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, hiking, Marloth Nature Reserve, trails, wilderness trail

“A mountain journey of no ordinary experience” goes the Rim of Africa tagline. It suggests an other-worldly, spiritual journey, or maybe a quest that will test you deeply. If I expected profound epiphanies as I wrestled with career frustration and anger, I...

Fish River Canyon Trail

by Ralph Pina | May 18, 2014 | Ai-Ais/Richtersveld, Fish River Canyon, hiking, Namibia, trails, wilderness trail

“…in  the desert you can’t remember your name / ‘cos there ain’t no one for to give you no pain …” America’s Horse With No Name seemed rather apt as I reviewed the Go Pro video clips from this hike. The Fish River Canyon...
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Welcome to RalphPina.com

Thank you for visiting my outdoor blog. RalphPina.com documents my experiences over many years of appreciating, and adventuring in, Nature. It celebrates visual beauty, advocates minimal impact, reflects on humans’ relationship with our ecosphere, spans the planet but focuses on the wild diversity of southern Africa. Photos, videos and GPS maps of hiking, cycling, kayaking, abseiling, canoeing and windsurfing..

Recent Posts

  • Perdeberg hike
  • Kasteelkop & Nek
  • Three Sisters hike
  • Up the Cascades
  • Erdvark Trail
  • Rod’s Trail, Betty’s Bay
  • Spanning the red stone arches
  • Gamkaberg Plan B
  • Fonteintjiesberg
  • Swartberg Pass over the years
  • Cape of Good Hope Trail once again
  • Fairy Glen – Plateau – Kasteelkopnek trail

Recent Comments

  • Ralph Pina on To the Rooiels source
  • Amadeus Rieck on Fighting aliens in De Hoop
  • Sonja Schäfer on Erdvark Trail
  • Gerard Scholtz on Erdvark Trail
  • Peter Breitenbach on Rooielsberg peak

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Friends

  • A friend cycles around the world
  • Nomadic NAMAS
  • Peter Groves
  • Santie Gouws Mountain Walking Guide

Good Causes

  • Fire Information System for SA
  • The Cape Leopard Trust

Hiking sites I like

  • Boots and Fins
  • Ian Webb's Great Hikes in the Western Cape
  • Jacques Niemand – interesting hikes
  • Maps – Hike the Cederberg
  • Mountain Club of SA Stellenbosch Section
  • Mountain Meanders

Mountain & Hiking guides

  • Nomadic NAMAS
  • Santie Gouws Mountain Walking Guide

Parks

  • Cape Nature
  • SANParks

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Perdeberg hike
  • Kasteelkop & Nek
  • Three Sisters hike
  • Up the Cascades
  • Erdvark Trail
  • Rod’s Trail, Betty’s Bay
  • Spanning the red stone arches
  • Gamkaberg Plan B
  • Fonteintjiesberg
  • Swartberg Pass over the years
  • Cape of Good Hope Trail once again
  • Fairy Glen – Plateau – Kasteelkopnek trail
  • Smitswinkel – Simon’s Town recce
  • Paddling with wild horses
  • Rooielsberg peak
  • Karoo corridor MTB tour
  • A walk on the Wild Coast
  • A northern Kruger cultural safari
  • Twelve Apostles loop
  • Balloch High Rim hike
  • Namaqualand coast hike
  • Miaspoort Trail to Huguenot Peak
  • Boating the Lot River
  • Cycling Connemara
  • Baviaanskloof Cycle Tour 2022

Recent Comments

  • Ralph Pina on To the Rooiels source
  • Amadeus Rieck on Fighting aliens in De Hoop
  • Sonja Schäfer on Erdvark Trail
  • Gerard Scholtz on Erdvark Trail
  • Peter Breitenbach on Rooielsberg peak
May 2025
MTWTFSS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
« Apr    

Recent Posts

  • Perdeberg hike
  • Kasteelkop & Nek
  • Three Sisters hike
  • Up the Cascades
  • Erdvark Trail

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