“I think you need to come and look at this again” called Dr Martin Lockley. Dr Charles Helm, his wife Linda and myself were walking away from an overhang of aeolianite with a series of fossilized tracks on the under surface to look at another series of fossil tracks which Dr Helm describes as a work of art. When an ichnologist and paleontologist as renowned … Continue reading Cast in Stone : The Cradle of Human Culture.
In search of Eagles Two weeks ago, after guiding guests on a contour path hike on the lower slopes of Jonkersberg, I glimpsed a pair of eagles slope soaring along the ridge just before sunset. Back lit against the skyline, I instinctively identified them as Martial Eagles, but located approximately 3.5km away without a pair of binoculars, it was difficult to make a positive ID. … Continue reading Garden Route hiking – wild route to the peak of Jonkersberg.
At 108km, the Outeniqua Trail is one of the longest hiking trails in South Africa. Traversing through forest and fynbos along the southern slopes of the Outeniqua Mountain range, the trail is hiked in a west to east direction sleeping in hiking huts with a capacity for 20 hikers. Mountain Wilderness. It is in the true sense, a wilderness hike, a trail that removes you … Continue reading Giants and Dwarves weaving between Spotted Ghosts on the Outeniqua Trail.
Confectionery and Coffee after the ride. ‘Banana?’ Amanda answered as she tucked into her slice of cake. We were lounging on the deck with coffee and carrot cake reflecting on our country ride just north of Groot Brak. As we had entered Pepper Boom restaurant in Groot Brak, I had asked the chef what his secret ingredient for his carrot cake was. Sure enough, it … Continue reading Mountain Biking in the Garden Route : Looping Around Wolvedans Dam.
After the recent mountain rescue on Table Mountain this weekend, it is important to share some salient safety measures when hiking on any mountain, irrespective of experience. • use official foot paths only • carry more that one operational cellphone in your hiking party • plan your intended route in a way that you are off the mountain before sunset • carry an accurate map … Continue reading Be Prepared to be Safe when hiking in South Africa.
Google Maps warned of a 9 minute delay on the N2 at the bottom of Sir Lowries Pass. After four hours on the road from the Garden Route, cresting the pass and seeing the gridlock traffic snaking down the pass was the last thing we wanted to see. But then, we did need to get to Cape Town and this was our only option. Gridlock … Continue reading 72 Hours in Cape Town.
In the past 6 months there have been over 10 whale carcasses washed up, including a rare Sperm Whale, in the Garden Route. Depending on where they washed up, their handling varied from leaving them in situ to burying them or removing the remains for disposal elsewhere. Where possible, sampling was performed for DNA profiling and parasite collection. Generally, with the carcasses there is a … Continue reading Whale Strandings – the harsh reality of nature.
