Groot Winterhoek: Hiking in the Wilderness

Go hiking in the wilderness…

I don’t usually start off the year with a three day hike in the Groot Winterhoek wilderness. In fact, I don’t usually go on three day hikes. Nevertheless, 2012 started off rather unusually and there I was… on a hike.

Our goal: “Die Hel”, one of the largest rock pools in the Western Cape. Unfortunately it is only accessible by natural modes of transport. That’s right, legs and feet. So, armed with a backpack, more tuna than the tuna run and a plethora of positive affirmations. Two noobs and I joined 3 serious amigos and set off on a wilderness trail.

There are many things you need when you go on a hike. A whistle, to call for help when you are hundreds of kilometres away from civilisation, is not one of them. A large walking stick is useful as a third-leg or bashing the reeds or just cos it looks like something out of the Lion King…hey what can I say?

Being a noob means one generally defers to those who know more than you. You manage to curb your desire to make pertinent statements that you would ordinarily make such as: “Wow, this rock looks awfully familiar”, “Are you sure you know where we are going?” and “Did anyone else hear that?”, “No, seriously. What was that sound?”

Unfortunately, it also leaves you open to abuses such as “the hut is right around the corner”, “it’s just over the hill”, “these are edible” and “there is only one steep”.

Since it’s a protected area, there are no fires allowed. So, braaiing over that large camp fire singing songs, telling freaky stories and eating roasted marshmallows is out. However, sitting in the quite wilderness and enjoying the stillness or listening to the sound of the river and waterfall is in. That is, until someone starts screaming about phantom flying spiders. For future references “the creepies are more afraid of you than you are of them”. Keep telling yourself this until you believe it. Repetition, a good learning habit.