We wanted a hike that would put my new orthotics to the test over a fair distance and decided on Giants Castle. So the plan would be to hike up Oribi Ridge, tent along the contour path and then return via Langalibalele Ridge
The forecast was for hot, sunny weather and so it proved to be. I had forgotten just how many hills there were on this ridge and we had no sooner climbed one, than another one appeared in quick succession. Fortunately we had the benefit of a cool breeze now and then which helped. We noticed a troop of baboons foraging in the grass ahead of us and when we got closer discovered balls of chewed up grass or leaves on the path - we thought that that the baboons must have chewed these to extract what they wanted and then spat out the excess - quite fascinating! By the time we reached the contour path we had ascended some 850 metres and were happy to take a break for lunch. We had anticipated there being little water on the ridge given that the area has had no real Spring rains to speak of, so had to carry what we needed. On reaching the stream before Giants Hut, we found it was flowing, but only just! The hut was a sad spectacle with half the roof having been torn off in winds, and the rooms full of weeds and rubbish. An attempt was made a few years ago to repair the roof, but it seems that this was no match for the Berg winds, and it is now just abandoned and not a pretty sight.
By now I was starting to feel the effects of a hot day and time on my feet and slowing down drastically. We reached our camping spot just beyond the bottom of Giants pass near a small stream and I was very thankful to take my pack off. A good 16kms and the good news is that my feet were in good shape. I enjoyed a wash in a rock pool and felt much refreshed after that – we spent the remainder of the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the view of the mighty Giant directly above us.
I slept like a log and awoke to a misty cool and overcast morning. It was quite a relief after the heat of the previous day and after packing up a wet tent, we set off along the contour path. We had 7kms to cover until we reached Langalibalele ridge and the path wound in and out of gullies along the way. We discovered burnt out coals in a dry river bed, obvious signs of poacher activity. This is fast becoming the norm in the Berg and one day there will be no wildlife left. This is such a tragedy and it feels that the authorities are not on top of it at all. We headed off down the ridge accompanied by mist and drizzle and arrived at camp having achieved our objective – a total of 30kms walked and no sore feet!
