Table Mountain

The rocks that make up Table Mountain are about 600 million years old. The well known "table cloth" on Table Mountain is formed when air is forced up and over the mountain by strong south-easterly winds and moisture precipitates as cloud because of cooling and drops in pressure. To find a day when the winds are low and the table cloth is not overhead is a bit tricky this time of year.

We had a clear day and climbed beginning around 7:30am in order to miss the sun on the front face (or Western flank) we were hiking, which would take about 2 hours. Once across the Pipe Track, we went up the mountain via Kasteelspoort. The 12 apostle ridges are above this area and we probably went across the face til about the mid-point of the buttresses.

Now, describing what we experienced from here is no easy task. From the Pipe Track, we went up, literally climbing up and over 4 mountain ridges, with wide enough paths not to freak me out, but still, steep drops down. At some places there are wood ties nailed together to form a delightful foot massaging path, in other places, rocks have been strategically placed for easy footing and yet, in most places, you're angling over random rocks and stones and shards, focusing on feet placement so as not to turn an ankle wrong or tweak a knee or slip and slide. Hot tip, as Jeff guided me on Lion's Head, always have 3-4 points of contact.

Anyway, over the ridges, we end up in valleys with sand and different flora and fauna or streams of water with wet slopes that display different vegetation. Many areas are replanted and protected. Some apple and banana breaks, along the way, to catch a breath, take in the views, notice the changes from valleys to ravines, and up another mountain ridge and down again, as the adventure continues.

BTW, there are over 2600 species of indigenous plants in the Cape Peninsula, more than in Great Britain, and more than 1/2 of these are on Table Mountain! Many are rare and found nowhere else. If you've never seen Protea, check them out not only for their beauty but for the differences amongst the varieties.

In some places, there are fixed chains to use as a handhold to climb up steeper paths, in others, ladders to help move you up and across. But nothing dangerous or treacherous, meaning, Mom and Dad, I was safe and secure!

At about 3.25 hours we are so close to the top of the mountain where the cable way is. I'm excited about the near accomplishment but nervous too, as once we ascend the final ridge, I have to work up the courage to get in the cable way to go down!

We make the top at about 3.45. Tourists who have come up from the cable way are cruising around in their civilian clothes and fancy shoes, while we're sweaty and euphoric from our nearly 4 hour climb.

We had lunch at the restaurant on the top of the mountain, enjoyed a nice cappuccino (quite civilized of us) and prepared for the "ride" down in the revolving cable car (during which, I stayed in the middle of the car, ignoring the 20 or so people around me, staring at the floor and missing the extraordinary views, attempted chatting with the operator, drank water to calm my panic, and basically held my breath for the [only] 3 minute descent).

Another accomplishment and truly, quite an extraordinary hike!