Mountain?

Cape Town is increasingly becoming known as a mecca for Adventure sports addicts and thrill seekers. To name  few activities you can do here: Abseiling, Kloofing, shark cage diving, mountain biking etc.

It seems that this year I have seen a lot of paragliders. I don’t know if the weather is more favourable or if I just havn’t noticed them before. The most popular take off point seems to be half way up Lions Head. The take off is actually remarkably undramatic with the pilots runnng down a steep slope and gently taking off.

The take off site on Lions Head

Once in the air the views must be absolutely awesome. The gliders seem to be in the air for ages circling above Camps Bay. The other day I counted 5 in the air at one time.

The passenger sits in front of the pilot and look quite comfortable. Flight time varies on wind conditions and the landing close to Camps Bay also looks very gentle.

Feel like adventure? Give paragliding a try. Its an amazing way to see Cape Town from on high

For more innformation contact stefsa@gmail.com. or look at www.parapax.com.

 reservoirs

The dams on Table Mountain offer a fantastic destination for a family hike on Table Mountain. The idea of getting somewhere is always nice, plus the sight of the reservoirs and the history surrounding them adds a bit of context to a hike that just adds to the enjoyment.

A view of Hely Hutchinson and Woodhead reservoirs

 The decision to make the dams was made in 1870 when Cape Town had grown to such an extent that it was running out of water. A Scottish engineer Thomas Steward designed and built the first one which was Woodhead. The difficulties of the project in the days before the modern technology we take for granted today must have been quite daunting. However a cable car system was built on the Camps Bay side of the mountain to transport equipment and men and the work began.  This first dam wall was completed in 1897. The water to fill the reservoir was diverted from the Disa Stream. 3 more reservoirs followed this original one. The Hely Hutchinson, the Victoria and the Alexandira dams and finally the De Villiers dam.

There are a number of routes you can take to the reservoirs although if you take the Kasteelspoort route you can also see some of the old cableway system that was used.

Part of the old cableway found at the top of Kasteelspoort

Join Ridgway Ramblers on a historic walk around the reservoirs on Table Mountain

Lions Head and Signal Hill are only part of the magnificent view from many of the paths leading up Table Mountain. Set against the backdrop of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean they must be one of the most photographed sights in the city.

Lions Head and Signal Hill seen from Table Mountain

One of the most common questions I am asked is “why is Lions Head called Lions Head?” I must admit its not clear. The shape of Signal Hill which is also called “The Lions Rump” can be seen to resemble the back end of a lion sitting on his haunches but I really cannot see a Lions Head in the shape of the main hill.  

The name Lyons Head has been around since the 17th century when the peak was named Leowen Kop (Lions Head) and Signal Hill was called Leowen Staart (Lions Tail) by the Dutch residents of the city. The English however prefurred to call the peak by the equally odd name of “sugar loaf”

It seems that there are 3 possible explanations for the name. The first and perhaps most obvious reason behind the naming of any peak is the shape. The second is the sound of the all too frequent winds in the area.

In 1673 when a doctor visiting the Cape wrote “Lyons mount is so named from the shape that resembles the beast not from the roaring winds as mercator would have it.” This then would seem to support the 1st reason. I have already pointed out that from Table Mountain even with a very active imagination it is difficult to see the head of a lion in the shape of the peak. However, as the Cape was originally seen by sailors approaching from the sea possibly the shape is more visible from the other side. This opinion would seem to be supported by the French philosopher Bernadin St Pierre who visited the Cape in 1771. He said ” at night we found ourselves behind the mountain which at a distance appears like a lion couchant. The head is formed by a great rock and detatched from the body”

A third possible reason for the name is mentioned by Peter Kolbe in 1705. He says that “The mount recieved its name from being formerly a great haunt of lions. About 30 years ago a grim one took residence and for a considerable time made woeful havoc among the cattle”  

Whatever the reason for the name, Lions Head remains one of the most important natural features in Cape Town.

The first sailor on a Dutch East Indiaman to spot Table Mountain on the horizon was rewarded with ten guilders and 6 bottles of wine.

The first European to climb the mountain was Admiral Antonio de Saldanha. He also named Table Mountain

The first European woman known to have climbed Table Mountain was the wife of Ryklof Van Goens. (the governor general of the Indies)

The English originally named Lions Head  “Ye Sugar Loaf” and Devils Peak was called “Herberts Mount”

The first slaves arrived in the Cape in 1667.

The mountain range above Camps Bay was known in Jan Van Riebeecks time as Gevelbergen or Gable Mountain. They were renamed the 12 Apostles by Sir Rufane Donkin when he was acting governor of the Cape in 1820.

A cave in Fountain ravine was home to Joshua Penny for 14 months. An American pressed into service by the British.

Excavation of the Woodhead dam began in 1894 and was finished in 1897.

The Hely Hutchinson dam was opened in 1904.

The Table Mountain National Park, which includes the entire mountain chain from Signal Hill in the North to Cape Point was created in 1998.

The rocks that make up Table Mountain are +/- 600 million years old.

 The original San name for the mountain is “Hoerikwaggo” It means mountain of the sea.

The cableway originally opened in 1929.

King George 6th and Queen Elizabeth 2nd have both visited the top of Table Mountain

It is estimated that some 800,000 visit Table Mountain annually.

The highest point on the mountain is Maclears Beacon at 1087m.

Mountain?

A guided hike on Table Mountain is so much more than just a walk. All our guides are knowledgeable about the natural history of the mountain and love to share this information with you.

Table Mountain in the Western Cape of South Africa is one of the oldest mountains on earth. It is 6 times older than the mountains of the Himalayas and 5 times older than the Rocky mountains. The rocks that make up the mountain are about 600 million years old, whilst the mountain itself was raised up 60 million years ago. (Numbers like these are impossible to comprehend. Sufficient to say Table Mountain is pretty old!)

The main rock type found on Table Mountain is sandstone. This was laid down underwater initially. This rock was then underlayed by a much harder layer of granite originating from molten lava. These 2 rock types are plain in the mountain today. The lower layer of granite is visible in the rounded grey rocks seen at the base of Lions Head and in the sea around the coast, whilst the upper layer of sandstone is the reddish rock we walk and climb on over most of the mountain itself.

The sandstone horizontal bands are clearly visible on parts of Table Mountain today

Initially both rock layers were found at sea level however when the continents divided, the accompanying shift of the earths crust forced the rocks to be pushed up and a mountain was formed. The subsequent erosion  of the sandstone mass has created the mountain as we know it today.

Table mountain as we know it today. Towering over the city of Cape Town

On a beautiful winters day (like today) walking through the fynbos on Table Mountain one cannot miss the  whistling and chirping of the Cape Sugarbirds. (they are also around in the summer but I particularly noticed them on my walk today)

Found in relatively large numbers among any large stands of Protea bushes their call is easy to identify. The bird itself is also easy to identify as it has a particularly long tail. 

So, easy to identify by both call and sight, like any bird getting a decent photo is much more difficult. They are often low down in the branches of the Protea and apt to fly off at any disturbance.  

So I am really proud of the photo I managed to get today.

Mountain

Dotted around the Cape are a number of “Kramats” These  are holy shrines and tombs of “saints and friends of Allah” many of whom were brought unwillingly to the Cape as slaves.  Many of these shrines are found at the base of Table Mountain and are said to form a circle and it is believed that anyone living within this cirle is protected from natural disasters such as flood, fire or earthquake.

It is possible to visit these shrines on many of the hikes on Table Mountain. One of the most visited is the shrine between Lions Head and Signal Hill.

The Kramat on Signal Hill road

To get to this site you can either follow the path from the main Lions Head parking area, or walk down from the Lions Head Path directly to the Kramat.

Another easily accessible kramat is found at Oudekraal. If you follow the main road from Cape Bay, as you pass Oudekraal there are a number of pathways leading up to the mountain from parking areas along the road. The walk itself is +/- 15 minutes.

One of the Kramats on the Western slopes of Table Mountain

Other sites with kramats are; Robben Island, Zandviet farm and on Tokai Rd in Constantia.

A hike on Table Mountain is a perfect way to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays

If you are wondering what to do with the kids during the June/July school holidays look no further than Table Mountain. A hike on Table Mountain offers the kids an opportunity to burn off some steam and have a lot of fun, as well as learn about the natural history of the area.

There are a number of different options to choose from depending on the ages of the cjhildren. A full days hike to the dams and waterworks museum offers a great day out for older children. Whatever your age the sight of a steam train on top of the mountain cannot fail to fascinate.

Inside the museum on top of Table Mountain

Alternatively a hike up Lions Head offers the excitement of the chains and you can be up and down in half a day.

We made it to the top of Lions Head

Another favourite is the steep and challenging Platteklip Gorge. This takes you to the cable car so it is possible to cheat and ride down.

Almost at the top

 Or even take the cable car both up and down and enjoy an easy hike to Maclears Beacon. This is a hike fun for even the very young. During the school holidays the cable car has a number of specials available for families, from special prices to treasure hunts to kids meals. Have a look at their site.

http://tablemountain.net/visitor_info/kidz_season/ 

For guided hikes for the whole family contact Binny 082 522 6056. We offer guided hikes for individuals and groups. All our guides are fully qualified in safety and first aid.

Table Mountain walk?

Unlike many mountains and hiking areas the weather on Table Mountain in Cape Town does not have a huge difference between seasons. This is not to say that the weather is exactly the same throughout the year. It is just that we do not have the extremes of season as for example the Alps or the Pyrenees. So walking up Table Mountain is never replaced by skiing or snowboarding!

The window on the India Venster route up Table Mountain

Having said that there are differences that you should take into account when planning to go on a hike on Table Mountain.

The Southern hemisphere summer is between the months of November and March. Cape Town enjoys a Mediterranean climate and thus has “warm dry summers”  The average day time temperatures during the summer months are around 27 degrees C. We do get days, especially towards the end of summer when temperatures can reach the mid 30′s. Therefore in the summer it is best to begin hiking as early as possible so as to avoid the afternoon sun as much as possible. It is also important to take plenty of drinking water throughout the summer.

Cape Town winters are relatively mild. The average day time temperature is around 17 degrees C. The months with the most average rainfall are June, July and August. However walking is certainly not impossible during these times. Between the cold fronts which bring the rain Cape Town experiences some wonderfully bright and sunny days. During this time of year the mountain streams and waterfalls are all flowing with clean drinkable water and the hiking is superb especially on the East side of the mountain (above Kirstenbosch gardens) .

Wind is the weather phenomenon that occurs throughout the year in Cape Town. The strong South East wind which dominates the wind direction especially during the summer months is called the “Cape Doctor” as it blows any pollution away and ensures the air in Cape Town is some of the cleanest in the world. Although wind in itself should not effect your walking, if you are planning to take the cable car you should be aware that this closes when the wind reaches over +/- 35 km per hour. You would also want to steer clear the cliff path or India Venster type routes when the wind is too strong. 

To summarise. Any time of year is a good time of year for a Table Mountain walk. In the summer take a hat and plenty of water. In the winter check the forecast and plan a walk for one of the many dry days.

A view from Smuts Track

strong South Easter

If you are a regular hiker on Table Mountain, you will have hiked in a howling South East wind at some stage. The only reliable thing about the weather in Cape Town is that it is unreliable……and that the wind will blow for at least a couple of days a week. Of course the South East wind is our friend. Locally called the Cape Doctor this wind brings clean air to the city and clears out any lingering pollution.

You can certainly not allow the wind to put you off a walk but do need to be aware of it. If you are planning to take the cable car down the mountain this may be impossible in strong winds. (the cable car closes down once the wind reaches speeds of +/- 35km hour) Similarly the wind can bring cloud cover to the mountain in a couple of seconds. This obviously impacts on visibility and on temperature.

Clouds moving in on Table Mountain

Some routes such as India Venster are not advisable in gale force winds for the obvious reason that you don’t want to get blown off balance at other stage! Other routes such as those above Kirstenbosch can be pretty sheltered on the way up.

The Table cloth is a feature of the South East wind. Having blown across False Bay collecting evaporating water along the way. The air is forced to rise over Table Mountain, and bingo. The air condenses and forms clouds. It can beautiful sunny weather everywhere else but on the mountain.

The tablecloth of Table Mountain

Despite the cloud, hiking on Table Mountain in these conditions can be fun. It is cool and the cable car area is less crowded. The clouds are very mobile often opening for 30 seconds to reveal the wonderful views.

Maclears Beacon in the clouds

 For some reason the tip of the mountain right where the cable car station is often remains out of the clouds.

The cable car station clear of cloud

 Therefore you can still hike up Platteklip Gorge. Enjoying the cooling clouds for the last part of the climb. And then enjoy the views from the uncrowded view spots.

Looking up Platteklip gorge on a windy day