Jake and I were invited by friends to join them for the Tsitsikamma Trail for New Year - it was completely out of the box for us, but the idea of an adventure always appeals and so we packed our bags as lightly as possible and headed for the beautiful Tsitsikamma mountains along the Garden Route...
The trail begins from Nature's Valley and there was a definite buzz of excitement as we left the campsite and made our way to the start of the trail...
The first day's walk was really uncomplicated. We only walked 3.5km, mostly through forest and relatively flat. Jake was having fun...
We experienced our first little river crossing...
And stopped to appreciate the late afternoon sunshine. Hiking with loaded backpacks is a whole different story to going on a day hike...
A backward glance to make sure that they haven't left me behind...
That evening we walked down to the local beach to watch the sun set...
We were excited about spending time together - away from TV and games and everything electronic. No cell phone reception, so complete isolation...
Scenes from the beach...
Jake checking out the little snails in the sand...
The colours were just unbelievable...
Things got serious the next morning though... We weren't aware of it when we got up and had coffee and breakfast, that the temperature was going to peak at 42 deg C and that we'd have 16.6kms to hike - with full backpacks, we were ill-prepared. This is Jake during our first climb of the day. He'd already started to lose his sense of humour and it was only about 7am...
While you're walking, especially uphill, it's good to take a look around and remind yourself why you're actually putting yourself through this...
Our first hut was near the beach, so this uphill was literally straight out of camp. In the pic below, I was only about 5 steps above Jake - the hill was steep...
Hot and bothered and facing more uphills - Jake and I were mostly at the back of the pack, but that was also fine, gave us more time together and saved everyone else from having to listen to me gasping for air, while motivating both of us up the climb...
There are amazing things to see along the way. Often you're so busy trudging and sweating up or down a hill, that you forget to look around. Having Jake with me always reminds me to look - he sees things...
Every now and then I'd get ahead and actually get a photo of Jake's face, not just his b-hind and he actually looked quite happy sometimes. I think this was pulling into a picnic spot....
Fungus...
And more fungus...
And great big millipedes...
We walked through some forests, but less than we expected...
A lot of the time was spent hiking through fynbos, which is low and bushy and gives no shade from the heat...
When you find a pond that's got cold (icy) fresh water, everyone strips down and hops in to cool off...
Despite moaning about walking, Jake made it his mission to climb up to the waterfall for the freshest water...
It doesn't look big, but this toad was bigger than my hand...
A pretty frog with a flower on his side...
Some forest...
It was getting hot (this is still day 1) and Jake wanted to get to the next hut. We'd started to run out of water and had used the last bit to fill up with rehydrate to sip on...
This part was tough. It was after 12pm and the sun was out in full force. The heat seemed to reflect off the pathway and we were HOT...
Jake was just about to give up, but somehow he found his strength - possibly when some of our group came back to look for us with ice cold cooldrink and water. They even carried our packs for a bit...
Some views from our hut...
This is the kitchen hut - our group was 11 and the dormitories sleep 24. There were another 3 groups that joined us and we all got to know one another really well. I mean, you have to share bathrooms, bedrooms, braais and kitchens...
This is the dormitory, showing the view...
As of Bloukrans, we had porters to carry our bulky gear, which meant that Jake could without a bag and I simply had to carry a day pack with food, water and cozzies. It made all the difference. That and the temperature had dropped down to 38 deg C...
Our group having a water break in the shade...
Swim time again...
A not-so-pretty-make-up-free selfie. I know it's not us looking our best (well me anyway), but I love this pic - it was a happy "holiday" ..
Another lunch stop. I thought I'd come home super skinny after having sweated and hiked so much, but you have to eat food to sustain you and so you land up eating high energy foods. I didn't lose an ounce, but I do think my legs feel a lot stronger than before I left...
And then back on the track...
Filling up our water bottles. Jake got about 17 mosquito bites doing this...
Jake was such a hero on this hike. It was very tough for all of us and one of our group couldn't walk for 2 of the 6 days - his feet were just too sore. Jake's still so young and it was a massive accomplishment for him. Yes, it did take a lot of moaning and motivating, but he did it and he can be very proud of himself for that. He did have a few moments in the evenings, where he threatened to pull out of the hike, but I think that he was completely shattered and it was just exhaustion talking. This photo was me trying encourage him not to give up. It helps when your mother can make a poep out of herself...
The next morning, Jake and I left camp early. I didn't even have coffee and we munched biscuits for breakfast on our way. It was the best decision and one that we kept up for the rest of the trail. Leaving first meant that people caught up to us. We weren't at the back on our own all the time. With each person that passed us, our spirits were lifted and we were encouraged to keep on going. Leaving early also meant that we had shade until the sun came up and that the plants were still covered in dew, which made it really nice and cool on our legs...
Pretty ferns...
Another early morning river crossing - see Jake's smiling. Almost...
Getting river water...
Stopping to enjoy the view along the way...
Believe it or not, I didn't actually take very many photos. My camera was in my camera bag, in my backpack, which was tied up around my chest and waist. It was a mission to get to it and I needed my hands free to climb every now and then. I did take it out when we had time. This is one of Jake's snaps...
A hungry caterpillar - he looks like he's smiling for the camera...
This was new year's day - I know because Jake's talking to one of his grannies back at home. We had so little reception and my phone was off all the time, but somehow it was in my pack and we heard it vibrating, so had reception one one of the peaks...
I mean, what a place to call from...
The mountains seem to go on forever...
It must be so gorgeous during spring time here - the flowers are so bright and pretty...
Climbing uphill is so tough. I really struggle with my breathing and my thighs and shins feel like they're going to burst into flames. When the going got tough, Jake and I would count out 30 steps, then pause to catch our breath. When you're climbing uphill all you want is a downhill, until you start on a long steady downhill, then you wish for that uphill again. Downhills hit all your joints and I was really grateful that we'd been advised to each bring a hiking stick with us...
A lazy lizard...
Another swim stop...
I must be honest, I don't like swimming in such cold water. It's amazing how hot it gets though and a dunk is all that's needed to freshen you up for the next leg. Jake and I used to wet hats and shirts (him) to keep cool through the day...
Nom, nom...
Not looking too happy to be back on the track again...
Down, down, down we go - I thought my toes were going to pop. Lesson learned - you need shoes one size bigger for trails...
I can't remember which hut this was, but another lovely stop, with a pool less than 20m away...
That's the dormitory with all our washing hanging out to dry...
I know he's my child and I know I'm biased, but those eyes - they're just so full of love...
Our braai for the night. Having porters meant that our dinners could be kept cold (and even frozen) for us and were delivered to the hut for that night. This hut was my meal - spaghetti bolognese. It took forever to heat the water up enough to boil the pasta, but it was really yummy when we got it served up - carbs are king...
Another day, another hike. Most days, aside from day 1, which was 3.5km, day 2 which was 16.6km and day 6, which was 5.5km, were around 13.5 - 14.5km long. The weather also cooled further into the trail, so we enjoyed the cooler weather when it reached us. We took them very slow and made the most out of the experience. Breakfast with a view...
More flowers...
This was our last long day of hiking, so we knew that we were nearing the end of our adventure. It put a definite spring in Jake's step knowing that he'd nearly completed it. It was a tough day, with an uphill that went on and on and on and on (yes, I know this is downhill)...
Striking...
Jake tended to rush a bit ahead, so that he could sit and wait for me...
Isn't it awesome??
More pretty...
Jake found a blue disa too - how special...
And that's about it. There aren't too many more photos than those I've shared here. Looking back, we had a wonderful time. It was probably one of the toughest things either of us have ever done, but we did it! We were told that it was an easy hike, but it was quite technical and the pamphlet at the start said that you needed to be moderately hiking fit, which we weren't. I'm very proud of us for sticking it out and for coming out champs on the other side.
I have some more photos of other bits and bobs from the holidays that I'll share next week!
Have a lovely weekend,
Sue xxx
