Table Mountain is a natural wonder of the

 world

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.

Come to Cape Town and enjoy a hike on Table Mountain. It really is a wonder of nature

Can I get up Table Mountain in a

wheelchair?

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

We spent the night in the Overseers cottage at the top of the road and spent most of the afternoon relaxing with a wonderful early evening braai. The next day we then continued around the dams and to the waterworks museum

 

The downward journey was a bit more difficult than the uphill as obviously the last thing we wanted to do was release the wheelchair to the forces of gravity. However once again with 2 guys on ropes and one guy driving we made it down safely and happily.

 

John looking relaxed on the way down

 

In the words of John “The adventure of a lifetime”

The reservoirs on Table

Mountain

“The full day guided hike on Table Mountain was one of the highlights of my trip to Cape Town. I had no idea how big the mountain was and how much there is to see! “

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/

Vote for Table Mountain as one of

the new 7 wonders of nature

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.

Please Note:

The Table Mountain Cableway will be closed for routine maintenance between the 18 and 31st July.

Enjoy a Table Mountain hike whilst the cable car is closed

This does not mean “the mountain is closed!”

Join Ridgway Ramblers for a guided hike up Table Mountain. Whatever your age or fitness level, Ridgway Ramblers will ensure it is the highlight of your holiday in South Africa.

The most scenic marathon in the

world

Saturday 23rd April (Easter Saturday) is the day of the Two Oceans Marathon. Reputed to be the most beautiful marathon in the world the route takes runners 56kms along Main Rd from Newlands to Fishhoek. Then across to the Atlantic side and return via Chapmans Peak, Hout Bay, Constantia Nek and Rhodes drive.  For slightly less ambitious runners there is a 21km half marathon and a trail run available.

This is an incredibly popular run so there are many road closures making access to the mountain in the morning difficult. (most roads have reopened by 1pm) Therefore anyone planning a hike on Saturday should plan ahead with refernce to access and parking.

Main Rd to Fishhoek and Ou Kaapse Weg are closed in the early morning. These roads reopen by 9.30 so a late start to walks in Silvermine or the Kalk Bay mountains is possible. Chapmans Peak is closed until 1pm. The good news is that although Rhodes drive is closed until 1pm, access to Kirstenbosch Gardens is permitted. As there will only be one lane open I would expect stop/go/slow traffic, but you can still get there.

Access to Table Mountain from the city or Camps Bay are of course totally unaffected.

Good luck to all the runners

Safe hiking on Table Mountain

Last weekend saw a dramatic rescue being performed on Table Mountain. 2 hikers became stuck on a ledge on 1st Waterfall ravine on Devils Peak. Luckily both were unhurt, but had found themselves unable to continue either up or down thus had been compelled to call for help.

Anyone planning a hike on Table Mountain is urged to ensure they have someone in the group who knows the route.

There are several gorges and routes up Table Mountain. Some easy, some requiring some technical scrambling and others only possible with the use of ropes. On many of the routes it is necessary to know where to go in order to take the safe route up. If you do find yourself on a route that you are not familiar with bear in mind that it is often easier to get up, than it is to come down. So before continuing to struggle up, make sure you will be comfortable to get yourself down that same route.

Examples of entirely safe routes up Table Mountain are: Platteklip Gorge, Nursery ravine and the Constantia jeep track. Although all are steep anyone of moderate fitness can manage these route. There is no exposure or technical skills required.

Easy scramble route examples are: Llundudno corner, Nursery Butress and Diagonal ravine.

Examples of slightly more technical scramble routes are: Woody Buttress and India Venster. These routes require some technical scrambling and have some exposure. Although use of a rope is not necessary, it is a good idea to have one with the group in case someone is nervous.

More advanced scrambling is required on routes such a Kloof Corner. For these you need a very good head for heights and a rope is highly recommended.

(These lists are far from exhaustive. There are literally hundreds of routes on Table Mountain)

Table Mountains cable card

If you are a regular Table Mountain walker then the cable card is for you.

Recently launched by Table Mountain cableway, this card will allow the carrier to use the cableway once a day for a year! The cost is R495 so with a one way ticket costing R95 after only 6 uses, you have already got your moneys worth.

For more information:

phone: (021) 424 0015

Enjoy a special day on Table

Mountain

Enjoy a day to remember with Ridgway Ramblers – your boots are made for walking

If you are a South African citizen did you know you are entitled to a free cablecar ride on Table Mountain on your birthday? All you need to do is pitch up with your id book!

For some South Africans a trip up Table Mountain on their birthday makes for the ideal day. But they would rather hike up under their own steam.

Here is Yvette enjoying her special day at the top of Nursery Ravine.

Closure of the Cecelia forest carpark

The debate around the harvesting of the pine trees in Cecelia Forest has been batted back and forth for a number of years now. Those pro the felling claiming they were planted and due for harvest, spread fire at a faster rate than the indigenous forest and use up more water than the indigenous forest.

Those anti the felling enjoy the shade provided by the mature trees, worry about the wildlife that has made its home amongst the trees and also worry about possible erosion caused as a result of the removal of the trees.

Harvested timber stacked in the carpark

Whichever side of the debate you fall, the trees are going! Many of the trees surrounding the car park have already been felled and from the beginning of February the car park will be closed for the final trees to be removed.

The view from the carpark. Now with trees removed