Tuesday, 6th April 2010
8 miles
The hotel description of this walk:
In the gorge, walk along the river through dense indigenous forest. Several river crossings to reach 'hanging boulder'. 50 metres after the boulder is a small chain ladder to climb to continue. This is a damp, wet walk (not advisable if the river is high).
The first river crossing was completely impossible and we took a detour along the road to join up with the intended path. Easy walking skirted the base of Tryme Hill and took us into the gorge. Unfortunately, because of heavier than usual rain in previous days, we were only able to venture part of the way up the gorge. The route twisted and turned as it made its way through the forest, up and over rocky sections and around fallen tree trunks, accompanied most of the time by the rushing waters of the eNdumeni river. Some scrambling added interest but eventually we had to turn back and return by the same route. Instead of going straight back to the hotel we took the path down to the Didima Camp and the San Rock Art Centre which provided insights into the art and culture of the San, including static displays and audio-visual presentations within a reconstructed rock shelter.
The view from the entrance to the hotel . . .
where we gather to start the walk
Our first river crossing - but not today!
The first of many pictures of Cathedral Peak, the Bell, the outer and Inner Horns . . .
and Baboon Rock - the jutting rock right of centre
Cathedral Peak Hotel below its mountain
The foaming waters of the river . . .
are a constant companion
Edwin braves the rocks for a better view of the gorge
A waterfall can only partly be seen
Lindsay checks his camera for a shot of the river
A rocky section provides the perfect spot for lunch
Edwin and Sheila make their way back down the gorge . . .
and a lizard hides in the undergrowth
Heading down to the Didima Camp . . .
and the Rock Art Centre . . .
with its static displays of rock art paintings . . .
and where a larger than life sculpture of an Eland guards the entrance