The hike up Platteklip. Although one of the simplest routes, is still one of the most enjoyable ways to climb Table mountain. From below, the gorge itself is largely hidden, leaving first time climbers, wondering how they will assail the steep cliffs.

However after a short climb along the Platteklip River, leading to the junction with the upper contour path. The route is revealed.

view of route from the bottom

A steep unrelenting climb, that shrinks into a narrow gorge close to the top.

The name Platteklip means “flat rock”in Afrikaans, but the path is anything but flat. Clear steps mark the way, and regular stops to admire the view, ensure the time goes quickly.

The final 100 meters are awe inspiring, as the cliff faces narrow, to only a few meters across at the top. The view shrinking from a panorama of the city, Blouberg strand and Robin Island, to a small view of the city alone.

Emerging at the top tired and hot, is a relief but well worth it. From here, one can walk the relatively flat route to Maclears Beacon. (At 1085m, the highest point on Table Mountain) or, going in the other direction, visit the upper cable station.

From the top of Platteklip

One of the most aptly named conebushes, is the Golden Sunshine Bush.

When in flower, the mountain is covered by a yellow wave.

Conebushes are of the Protea family, and found throughout the Table Mountain chain.

Below is a picture taken on Table Mountain, in mid August. Little other colour is present on the mountain at this time, so the sunshine bush, really adds some beauty to the mountain.

The Challenge: A 75km non stop walk, from Cape Point, to the bottom of Platteklip gorge in Cape Town.

The first half of the route is on roads. Through Cape Point Nature Reserve, and once over Red Hill, along the coastal road, that follows False Bay. Although on a road, this is a beautiful walk, with sea views all the way.

The second half heads into the mountain. Through Silvermine and then along The Back Table to Maclears Beacon, and down Platteklip Gorge.

This marathon walk will take place on the 4^th and 5^th of October 2009.

The aims: 1)To raise awareness for World Animal week. And to raise some much needed funds for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA (society for the prevention of cruelty to animals)

2)To raise awareness of the beauty and accessibility of Table Mountain to all South Africans.

The entrants: 7 women will complete the entire journey, with other joining for shorter sections. The National Parks Board, are also joining the walk, in the form of their Table Mountain Rangers and dogs.

Watch this space for more information on training walks, and for sponsorship details.

One of the best sights on Table Mountain, in July and August, is the Keurtjie or Water Blossom Pea in flower. This small tree or well branched shrub, develops the most beautiful pink or mauve pea flowers at this time. They also fill the area with a lovely fragrence.
It is abundant in Kirstenbosch and on the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Particularly in the river gorges.

This picture was taken, close to the Overseers cottage above Constantia Nek.

The Table Mountain Cable car has reopened after being closed for annual maintenance.

Costs:

Adult return: R145
Child U18 return: R76
children U4 travel for free

Wild card holders: R116 return

I was saddened to take some clients up Table mountain last week, who had had a bad encounter with a baboon. Whilst at Cape Point, a large baboon had come very aggressively towards the youngest son. The boys instinct was a very sensible one. He threw the chip packet he was carrying in one direction, and ran in another. End result he was safe.
Unfortunately, (and in no way the tourists responsibility) the baboon’s aggressive behavior was rewarded and he will no doubt try the same tactic again.

Anywhere else where you encounter baboons, they will generally leave you alone.
You may hear the characteristic bark, and see the troop somewhere in the distance. But that is about it. Even in Silvermine, where the baboons have been habituated to mountain bikers, so you often get to within striking distance. I have never heard of aggressive behavior here. Why? Because the baboons have never been fed, or come to associate man with food.

The troop in the South Peninsula, have began to associate people with food. Not only through being fed, but also though the continued encroachment onto their territory. As more people live in the areas, they have learned to forage in dustbins and pick up litter. From here, some have learned that within a house, there are often goodies. Thus houses have been broken into and “burgled”, and people come to regard them as pests, and fear for their dogs and children’s safety.

I find the whole thing incredibly sad. The Chacma baboon, is one of the few surviving wild animals left in the Western Cape, and specifically on the Cape Peninsula. They are an incredible boost to tourism. For many people an encounter with them is exciting and wonderful. They can be amusing and clever in their antics. For the family, I took on Table Mountain, they have a terrific story to go home with, and thank goodness no harm was done. However, the fact remains, that they are a problem.(possibly that should be rephrased, to reflect the fact that we (human beings) are as much part of the problem, as the wild animal itself) Surely as we are the ones expanding our developments into their territory, we should be able to develop a way to protect both the baboons, and the tourists and residents.

I know the National Parks Board, and Cape Nature conservation, are working on a solution. One of the really positive developments in baboon management has been the use of monitors. These are a group of men who move with the troops and steer them out of dangerous situations. Thus keeping them away from suburbia and tourist hubs.

There is no easy solution I know. I just hope we can come up with something.

Whilst Table Mountain itself, is the main draw card. One of the most popular tourist attractions of South Africa, is the aeriel cableway, transporting people to its top. In fact, in December 2004 it carried its 16 millionth visitor!!

The present cable car was installed in 1997. It carries a maximum of 65 passengers, and a trip to the mountain top takes between 4 and 5 minutes. From it visitors can see the most astounding 360 degree views of Cape Town and her beautiful surrounds.

However, as with all mechanical creations, in order for safety to be assured regular maintenance is vital. Thus the cable way closes annually for this to take place. At this time of year, I escort many tourists up the mountain, who would never have previously thought of walking up, instead of riding up.

Without fail, all those who make their way up the mountain by foot, admit, they will never again, succumb to laziness and avoid taking such excercise.

If the 360 degree views from the cable car are magnificent, how much more magnificent are they when seen between the towering walls of Platteklip gorge. Those more adventurous try a walk up another path and also take the opportunity to see other parts of the mountain. The dams on the Back Table, Groot Kop, the waterworks museum and more. Many return to try other routes, see the different vegetation on the different sides of the mountain, or just to introduce friends to the pleasures of hiking.

So next time, you want to see Cape Town from on high. Consider a hike instead of a ride!!

I suppose it is inevitable, that such a spectacular natural feature, is surrounded by many different myths and legends. Arising from several different and often opposing cultures. The legends depict the mountain in many different forms. Ranging from a benevolent protector to a vicious destroyer.

In my walks on Table mountain, I always try to imagine the mountain as it must have been in past. Teeming with a variety of wild animals long since extinct in the Cape.  Nothing between the mountain and the Hottentots Holland Mountains, but the natural wetlands of the Cape Flats. You can imagine how such an outstanding feature, stood out in the mind of those already in the region and on those newly arrived. 

Here is a synopsis of some of those legends.

 Watcher of the South

 One of the earliest legends is the African legend, of the “watcher of the South”

Quamata, is one of the most prominent gods in Xhosa folklore. In the legend concerning Table Mountain, when Quamata created the earth, the Great sea dragon, Nkanyamba interfered and prevented him from creating dry land. To aid her son, Quamata’s mother, Djobela, a one eyed earth goddess, created four giants, to assist her son.

These giants were assigned to guard the North, South, East and Western extremities of the new land.

Following many battles, the dragon was defeated and the land created. The giants now asked The Great Mother, Djobela, to turn them into mountain. So that even after their death, they would be able to continue keeping watch over the land.

The greatest of these giants was “Umlindi Wemingizimu” – the watcher of the South. Who became Table Mountain.

Adamaster

In contrast to the African Tradition, of Table Mountain, as a benevolent father, overseeing and protecting Cape Town. The Portuguese legend of Adamaster, relates, how, after trying to overthrow the Sea Goddess, Thetus. Adamaster was banished from the oceans altogether. For a while he wandered the Dark Continent, until as punishment the Gods metamorphosed him into a mountain, and set him at Cape Point. There to guard the Southern seas.

On the approach of a ship he would transform into a huge and monstrous human figure, who would tower over the poor sailors. Whipping up huge seas and storms, causing death and disaster to anyone trying to round the Cape.  

 Van Hunks and the South Easter cloud

A later legend, dating from the time of the early settlement of the Cape, is that of Van Hunks. An old pirate. Van Hunks, took to escaping from the harsh tongue of his wife onto the lower slopes of Table Mountain. Whilst in the mountain, he would relax and smoke his pipe. A habit his wife had banned from the house.

One day, He met a stranger and the two men struck up a conversation, with Van Hunks boasting that he could smoke more in a single sitting, than any other man in the Cape.

The visitor, taking up the challenge, said “your soul against a pot of gold”

Van Hunks, knowing he had lost his soul a long time ago, was happy with the terms, and so the two began to puff. Gradually a white cloud grew around them and before long; the entire mountain was hidden in a cloud of smoke. Eventually, the stranger, pale in the face and unable to smoke any longer tumbled from the rock, gasping that he was the devil. However, not being a good sport, the devil did not like to lose, so when the mist cleared both men had disappeared.

 Now whenever the South Easter covers Table Mountain, they say that Van Hunks and Devil, are continuing with their competition.