Please note that the Table Mountain cable car will be closed for annual maintenance between July 23rd and August 5th 2012.
“The Pride of Table Mountain” is one of the names given to the Disa Uniflora or Red Disa. This is a large and brilliant Orchid which is found in the Western Cape mountains during the months of February and March.
The Pride of Table Mountain
The Disa genus is a large group of African Orchids of which 114 occur in Southern Africa. The Disa Uniflora is particularly special due to its size and extremem beauty.
With summer finally arriving in Cape Town and temperatures soaring into the 30′s this week it’s important to make sure that you are properly prepared for a hike. Dehydration and sunstroke can hit hard and unexpectedly and really ruin your day!!
1. Take plenty of water and don’t rely on there being water on the mountain.
I recommend at least 2 litres per person for a 4 to 5 hour hike.
2. Start early. Early meaning before 8am. Until 11am the temperatures are
still relatively cool.
3. Plan your hike well. Slopes on the Western side of the mountain
(overlooking Camps Bay) are in the shade in the morning but in the full glare
of the sun in the afternoon. Many of the gorges on this side have no shade so
in the afternoon can be almost unbearably hot. Platteklip Gorge on the
other hand gets the full force of the morning sun and also has no shade.
Start very early if you plan to climb Platteklip.
4. Wear a hat and sunblock.
5. Wear long sleeves and a shirt with a collar.
6. Remember dogs cannot lose heat as effectively as us so you really need to
be careful if planning to take your 4 legged friend on the mountain with you
this week. Only walk very early and ensure your dog has plenty to drink.
Keeping the coat wet also helps.
Hiking in the summer in Cape Town is fantastic and the heat is certainly no reason to stay off the mountain. However please plan ahead and make sure you are prepared for the conditions of the day.
Maddox is a partially sighted chow x husky who became lost in the Table Mountain National Park on New Years eve. He was found the following morning on a ledge about 1km from his home.
Members of the public tried to tempt Maddox down, but as he was abused as a puppy he was too shy to come down. Eventually it was members of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) who headed inland instead of seawards to rescue the missing dog later on New Year’s Day.
Great to know we have such caring people in South Africa.
What better way to start the New Year and begin all those promised resolutions, than with a hike on Table Mountain. Both full and half day hikes available for the whole family.
Contact Binny on 082 5226056 for more details.
email: binnyridgway@gmail.com
Traditionally Christmas is a time of feasting and family. So what better way to work an appetite for that family feast than a hike on Table Mountain. Whether you feel like a full day strenuous hike before an evening party, or a shorter half day hike in order to be home in time for lunch.
Contact Binny on 082 552 6056 to confirm prices and availability
email:binnyridgway@gmail.com
Table Mountain has been selected from 440 magnificent sites as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. The other 6 wonders are: the Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo and Puerto Princesa Underground River.
Table Mountain - A new 7 wonder of Nature
The selection of Table Mountain is not only as a result of the amazing sight of the mountain standing alone on the Cape Peninsula and its position slap bang in the middle of a large and vibrant city. It is also due to the wonderful diversity of the Fynbos plant kingdom.
When I was asked by John May about possible wheelchair rambles on Table Mountain the jeep track from Constantia Nek immediately came to mind. Of course it would be hard work but why not give it a try? John was keen, so with the help of 4 strong young guys we gave it a go.
The Table Mountain Team
With willing hands, anything is possible
John looking relaxed on the way down
Few visitors to Cape Town realise that Table Mountain is home to 5 reservoirs. Built between 1896 and 1907 they were for some time the main water supply of Cape Town. Of course in recent years the requirements of Cape Town have outstripped the water available on the mountain but they still provide a picturesque destination for a hike. On weekends many local people make the trek onto the Back Table from Constantia Nek or Camps Bay to enjoy the peace and relaxation that sitting beside a body of water always provides.
Relaxing by De Villiers dam on Table Mountain
The winter of 2010 was a very dry one with the result that visitors to the mountain during the summer of 2010/2011 were met with very low and even empty dams by the end of the season. Although not as pretty to look at it was nevertheless interesting to see the bleached rocks and to walk right accross the middle of the dam.
No water in the Hely-Hutchinson reservoir
But May and June of 2011 have provided a good bit of rain so I am happy to be able to report that there is water on Table Mountain again. So next time you are in Cape Town take the opportunity to get up the mountain and spend some time relaxing beside one of them. You cannot believe you are in the middle of a large and cosmopolitan city. The only sounds are of birds and lapping water.
The peace and quiet of the dams is wonderful.
http://www.ridgwayramblers.co.za/index.php/hiking-options/full-day-options/
Table Mountain has been shortlisted along with 28 other sites to be one of the new 7 wonders of nature. Selecting from the 28 is difficult as in that 28 there are so many beautiful and outstanding areas.
Table Mountain deserves a place in the top 7 not only because of the amazing natural beauty of the mountain standing tall and alone on the tip of Africa. But also because of the amazing diversity of the floral kingdom found on it. 70% of the flora is endemic. ie found nowhere else on earth. Another special feature of Table Mountain is the positioning of such a pristine environment, slap bang in the middle of a large and cosmopolitan city. (the mountain environment is so clean that you can drink the water!) Its geological history is also pretty special. This mountain is 6 x older than Everest!
What other natural feature in the world is so instantly recognisable?.
To vote for Table Mountain go to http://www.new7wonders.com/ or sms “TABLE” TO 34874.