What rocks are found on Table

Mountain?

The Cape Peninsula which includes the Table Mountain chain are made up of three rock types, of different ages. Cape Town, Signal Hill and Sea Point constitute a mass of tilted Malmesbury slates. This is the oldest formation in the peninsula which consist of alternating  layers of fine grained greywacke sandstone and slate, deposited as muddy sediments several million years ago. The effects of heat and pressure metamorphosed this sediment into slatey rocks. The best place to see examples of this rock type is in the rock rodges jutting into the sea along the Sea Point beachfront.

The upper cliffs of Table Mountain are made up from Table Mountain sandstone. This sedimentary rock was formed by millions of years of river borne sediment which piled up upon itself and was compressed by its own weight. This rock type has been subject to the natural forces of weathering for millions of years , meaning that what we see today is a fraction of the original deposits.

The third rock formation is that of Cape Granite. This is most clearly seen in the huge rounded boulders on the slopes of Lions Head, at Boulders Beach, and at the bottom of Chapmens Peak drive. The Cape Granite was formed from molten rock which intruded into the malmesbury group formation. Although originally intruded at great depth prolonged erosion eventually exposed the granite to the surface and it now forms the base on which the younger sedimentary rocks of Table Mountain are deposited.

Treasure Hunt on Table Mountain

Cape Town is the most incredibly city for organising corporate teambuilds. Without having to leave the city you can be in a natural environment and away from the stress and strain of work in less that half an hour.

The selection of activities that can be organised are endless. From a tough hike up Platteklip Gorge, to a gentle amble in Kirstenbosch Gardens. Whatever the requirements and ability of the group there will be an activity to suit them.

One of the favourate teambuilding activities that Ridgway Ramblers organises is a treasure hunt. This involves some basic map reading and problem solving, done in teams. A number of activities along the route requiring some lateral thinking add to the day.

A number of options can be added to further enhance the day. From a massage at a nearby spa, to a braai, or a picnic on top of the mountain.  A treasure hunt can be adapted to suit the aims of the day,  and the age and ability of the group.

For a fun day that will energise your team, improve internal communications, and provide everyone with a day they will never forget. Consider a day on table mountain with Ridgway Ramblers.

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Hike up Table Mountain in time to see the

sunset

A real treat is to be able to see the sunset from the Top of Table Mountain. Of course with the wind tending to get stronger towards the end of the day it is not always possible if the cable car has closed. Perhaps this is why this evening walk remains something really special.

Sunset from Table Mountain

There are a number of ways to reach the top. A full days hike from the Back Table, a couple of hours up Platteklip or India Venster. Or of course, taking the cable car and taking a liesurely stroll around the Klipspringer trail or to Maclears Beacon. Whichever way you choose make sure you are looking towards Camps Bay, as the sun slowly dips into the sea.

The Table Mountain Chain of South Africa offers some of the most varied and enjoyable walking, found anywhere in the world. From Cape Point at the tip of Africa with its sheer cliffs and beaches, to Table Mountain towering over the city of Cape Town with its wonderful flora and unbeatable views. Ridgway Ramblers offers a 4 day package moving from Cape Point to Table Mountain on foot. Each day a full days hike through a different region of the Cape Peninsula.

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For anyone who enjoys walking this is the best way to see the entire peninsula. Incorporating beach, cliff and mountain walking. This route also includes gems such as “the Elephants Eye cave”, “Skeleton Gorge” and a visit to a the penguin colony at Simonstown.  With transport provided to and from your comfortable Cape Town accomodation each day, this is truly an experience of a lifetime.

The most extreme hike up Table Mountain, must be kloof corner ridge. This route is commonly followed by many, without ropes or any other climbing gear. But we warned. This is no easy route. It has some severe exposure and long chains.

Initially you follow the path either behind the  lower cable station and turn right when you reach the contour path, or follow the path signposted Kloof corner, at the last switchback before the cable station off Tafelberg Rd. Once on the contour path you need to look for the first chain leading off the path. This is a relatively short chain, which marks the start of the route. From here you follow a number of cairns and short scrambles before arriving at the “meat” of the climb. A 6 metre chain, followed by the 11 inch crack!!.

The chain is a long one, requiring some upper body strength, and something of a head for heights. If you freeze half way up, its a long way to fall!!

Scrambling up the chains

 A short time after this climb, you come to a sheer wall. Where to now? The answer is the 11 inch crack. Squeezing behind a large boulder, another chain is found to haul you up on top of the boulder. The easiest way to achieve this is to move to the far side of the rock, however here a sheer drop of several 100 feet can be nerve wracking.

Squeezing into the 11inch crack

Some more scrambling and you eventually arrive directly below the cablecar, where the India Venster route joins Fountain ledge. If you want to go to the top of the mountain, you can follow the ledge, or take the India Venster route down.

Early March of this year (2010) has been marked by soaring temperatures in the Western Cape.  Most days in the first week of the month have had temperatures exceeding 30 degrees and in many cases exceeding 35 degrees. For Cape Town this is pretty hot weather.

In these kinds of temperatures anyone planning to take excercise needs to plan ahead. No need to avoid excercise, but be prepared and listen to your body!! This weekend 2 people had to be airlifted from Table Mountain after collapsing from heatstroke, whilst the Cape Argus, Pick and Pay mountain bike ride was shortened to ensure the riders safety.

Some basic safety rules are:

• Take plenty of water. (if you plan a hike on Table Mountain, you will need at least 2 litres) Know where you will be able to fill up your water bottles (eg. At the cable car, or at one of the taps on the Back Table)
• Wear a hat and sunblock.
• start early in the morning
• Choose a route with some shade. (for example, Kasteelspoort is in the shade for much of the early morning, whilst Platteklip gorge gets the full force of the rising sun.)
• Be prepared to shorten your route, in order to be off the mountain by 1pm, or plan your route so as to be at a shady spot, preferably by some water, where you can rest for a few hours in the heat of the day.
• If you start to feel ill in any way. Be prepared to turn around.
• AND if you are taking your dog. Take twice as much water for your dog as you would for yourself. Ensure the dog drinks regularly and it may even be necessary to keep his coat damp. Dogs are far more suseptable to heatstroke that humans, so it is really best not to walk your dog once the temperatures reach 25 degrees or more.

Keeping all these rules in mind. A walk on Table Mountain in a heatwave can be a wonderful experience. Why not see the sunrise from up there?

 A gentle walk on the slopes of Table

 Mountain

If you are looking for  not too strenuous walk on Table Mountain with absolutely fantastic sea views, look no further than “The Pipe Track” The Pipe Track proper leads from Kloof Nek to Slangholie Ravine although it is well worth continuing along an extension to Corridor Ravine. The entire distance  from Kloof Nek to the bottom of corridor ravine is just over 6km. The path generally stays on a contour of around 3oom reaching a maximum height of 500m between Slangholie and Corridor Ravines.

Historically the Pipe Track is also interesting. It was constructed in 1887 to lay the pipeline from the reservoirs on Table Mountain to Cape Town. The waterworks museum which is found on top of the mountain still has some wonderful old photographs of the path in the early 1900′s. It is amazing to think that all the construction materials and tools,for the dams construction were hauled by man or donkey power along this path. The actual pipe that was layed begins in Orange Kloof where it goes through the mountain to emerge  at Slangholie ravine. From here it follows the path to Kloof Nek. Although no longer in use many sections of the pipe are still plainly visible.

A stretch of the Pipe Track, with some of the original pipe.

 However, the real joy of this route are the views. Overlooking Camps Bay and the coastal road leading to Hout Bay, the sheer cliffs of the 12 apostels and the small band of land before the Atlantic Ocean form some of the best landscape in the world.

Some of the views taken from The Pipe Track

For the return journey you have the choice of gently retracing your steps. Or if you are feeling more energetic there are numerous routes leading from the Pipe Track up Table Mountain herself.