Joey's Springbok Hike

Location: Glen Garry

Date:8-10 July

Patrol

Joseph

Dylan

Nicola

Jonathan

Brief description of hike:

Springbok Hike from Brooklands plant /Lewis Gay Dam to Tokai Manor House

Day 1

The hike starts by 14h30 outside the gates of the Brooklands Water Scheme where you must report on the purpose of this installation. Proceed to the Lewis Gay dam and estimate the height of the wall and find out why it is there and if it is linked to the Brooklands Water Scheme. Now proceed through the gate and up the hill till the fork. Write a report on how soil erosion is being prevented on this section and include it in your “erosion report”. Take the path to the right and pass below trig beacon 125. Continue on the path through a shallow river valley. Go over the wooden bridge over the marshlands. Procceed up a small hill and follow the fence next to the path. When the jeep track narrows follow the path in a north easterly direction between spot heights 254 and 237 until you reach another track. Follow this track for about 800m

Where the track turns North leave the track and go in an easterly direction across the edge of the parking lot next to the tar road. Keeping the small peak to your right (Trig Beacon 126) follow the track and then the grassy path down passed the tall trees and bushes. Once you have passed the Horse pens leave the path and follow the Elseriver on the left of the path. Where the vegetation gets thick cross the river and walk on the grassy strip till the barbed wire fence where you cross back to the other side of the river. Continue under the pines till you reach “Gordon’s Camp” where the warden will tell you where to camp.

Day 2

Rise, eat breakfast, clean your campsite and leave by 07h15. Cross the field and go through the subway under the road (Ask the warden when you arrive to indicate to you where it is). Make a sketch of the entrance to the subway then pass through and walk on the far side of the road in an easterly direction till you reach the firebreak. Follow this firebreak up passed the back of Glencairn Heights, pass the reservoir and then take the Concrete jeep track to the steps up to saddle where you follow the path up to the top of Elsepeak. Here you must sketch the beacon before proceeding down to Fish Hoek Beach via Sunny Cove using the steps provided between streets. When you reach the main road head in an easterly direction then cross over and go down to the last road before the beach Cross the railway line through the subway which brings you out on Jagger’s Walk. Hike the whole length of the beach then re-cross the line and head up next to the road with “Trappieskop” on your right. At the first house turn in a northerly direction and proceed up to the fire break. Follow the firebreak round till you reach the path to ‘Echo Valley” Where the path splits take the left fork up the steep slope and through the arch. (This is not a very well defined path and care must be taken not to wander off the trail) Sketch or photograph this arch with your team standing under it and write a short report on its makeup. From here you join the large sandy path up Echo Valley . When you reach the fork take the right hand leg and proceed between Ridge Peak and Klein Tuinkop passing the Amphitheatre ( This path is called the Crassula path) The path then decends till it meets the track which you must follow for about 800m before joining the path going south. Cross the stream and take the right fork which leads you across another stream and on to a sandy track. Just before the bridge you will see a ruin on your left. Write a full report on what this building was used for in the past. Cross over the bridge and follow the track to the sunbird Homestead where you will spend your second night.

Day 3

Rise, eat breakfast, clean your campsite and leave by 07h15. Leave the site via the gate and follow the road till you reach Ou Kaapse Weg. Cross over to the other side and up to the fire break next to the fence around the houses. Follow this firebreak in a north easterly direction to the corner of the fence then continue in a northeasterly direction till you reach a jeep track to Silvermine Reserve. Follow this track till the sign saying “No bicycles beyond this point” just before the track takes a sharp bend to the right. Turn off the track and follow the path, between the chest high ferns, reeds and bushes, in a north westerly direction. The path turns to an easterly direction and then comes to an intersection. Continue over the intersection of the paths and up the hill on a well defined path. When you reach the sandy jeep track . Follow this track in a north westerly direction till you reach the Silvermine Dam. Write a report comparing this dam with the Lewis Gay Dam then cross over the wall and walk under the trees in a south easterly direction, keeping the road on your left, till you are south of a track on the far side of the road . Cross over the road and follow the track as it winds its way around the mountain. Carry on down the steep slope passing the Elephants Eye cave. Make a sketch of this as you pass below it. When you reach the fork in the track proceed down to the right (Northerly direction) past an area that has been cleared of trees till you reach a path into the forest with steps cut into the mountainside. When you reach the next track cross over it and proceed to the following level then follow the track in a northerly direction. Follow this track till you reach the track that turns in an easterly direction and takes you down to the manor house. Once you have sketched the gates of the manor house find a cool spot to relax till your transport arrives as you have reached the end of your expedition. Congratulations you made it.

You will require map 3418AB&AD Cape Peninsula.

The first night is at Gordons Camp, Glen road, Glencairn 7975 Telephone 0217856670.

The second night is at The Sunbird Centre Homestead, Silvermine Nature reserve Telephone 0217892460

Nicola

Age: 16

Rank: Apl

Advancement: First Class

Thoughts of the hike:

Hike was difficult and I struggled little but had a good time. the third day felt just as long as the 2nd! Realised how much I hate Joey!

Jonathan

Age: 14

Rank: 3rd

Advancement: Adventure

Thoughts of the hike:

Being the first springbok hike I have been on I was quiet surprised at I didn’t die. Generally we hear stories about seniors who nearly died on springbok hikes but to be honest I was completely physically able to take part.

Joseph’s leadership was pretty impressive and I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy it. My only complaint was the excessive use of rather disturbing and unusual vulgar language by Nicola!

Dylan

Age: 14

Rank: 4th

Advancement: Adventure

Thoughts of the hike:

The setting of the hike was nice

and the hike itself was not too

strenuous. I got along fairly

well with everyone and the food

and hot chocolate was great!