So after Joburg we ventured a bit to Nelspruit and White River. Then made our way back home after a brief stop at Noupoort rehab. My dad sang at Noupoort and I gave a little talk to the girls (YES ME.... A LITTLE TALK !!) hahahaa nerve wrecking but..... Fire overcomes Fear.
A group of us decided to go on a "little" hike on Monday morning (it was a public holiday) so we check on line and see oh this Skeleton Gorge looks lovely and the website says its "moderate" and "child friendly" I will have you all know that websites LIE !! (I should have guessed with a name like Skeleton Gorge.. is it named this because you get so thin climbing it? or because it leaves dead people?? I don't know?)
Never mind child friendly, its not me friendly. it was about 5.5 hours of hiking STRAIGHT up then STRAIGHT down.. Was okay on the way up albeit out of breath and red faced.. but down my one leg just decided to rebel against me and not receive signals from my brain that there is weight on it.. so it just collapsed .. a few times - sending me on a little slide .... AWESOME!!!
Said leg is still out of action and is refusing to speak to my brain AT ALL other then to send pain messengers.
After a few steps... wait i am going to see if some poor sod has counted the stairs up that monstrous stairway to heaven ....
No, it appears no one in this world is that fit to be able to climb and count the stair sized pieces of death.
Our route was up Skeleton Gorge and down Nursery's Ravine (definitely not named after a childs play group... ) My advice to those deciding that hiking is something they'd like to try... maybe don't START with Skeleton Gorge and Nursery's ravine.
My tips for climbing mountain (in my extensive one hike experience) bahaha
- Don't where wooley clothes .. collecting wild flora in top on the walk is not the aim
- Hiking shoes are probably a good thing to have in order to avoid blood blisters on foot the size (and colour) of a red grape
- Pack more then one bottle of water (lasted to the top but the need was for the down more)
- Don't always assume down hill is easier. Its not. Its harder. it makes your legs go to sleep. Forever. REBEL.
- When at top, take the break.. don't decide to go adventure into the bushes. Your body and legs need the break for functioning on the way down.
- Pack more snacks (i.e: don't leech of your friends snacks - thankfully my friends didn't mind... but future hikes this may be come a worry)
- Don't make inappropriate jokes with fellow hikers the night before the hike- this leads to some awkward introductions.
- When hiking near kirstenbosch, even if you are passing through the very outskirts of the garden they expect you to walk down and pay R45 for entrance.. more walking? I think not.
- Try to stick to 2/3 hour hike. Not 6 hours. Especially if you are not some one who has been hiking regularly. This leads to multiple problems. Including brain/leg message issues and inability to move for rest of day and next day (and possibly next week)
- Should you wish to do something illegal - do it at the top of the mountain where no police man will ever venture unless air lifted there.
All jokes aside was a beautiful hike. Really loved it and spending time with old and new friends ...
some tips found on web for the mountain rangers: (these are real... posted by real people to the Mountain Rangers)
- Escalators would help on steep uphill sections.
- Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands.
- Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill.
- Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests.
- Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them.
- The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.
- Need more signs to keep area pristine.
- A McDonald's would be nice at the trailhead.
- Too many rocks in the mountains.
- The places where trails do not exist are not well marked.
