NEWSLETTER NUMBER 215
3 February 2015
AW – Roman Baths
Kamberg
uKhahlamba Drakensberg
Central Drakensberg
3 February 2015
After meeting at Amber Valley to sort out transport, we met again at Kamberg to do the necessary paperwork and pay. Then drove to our start point where we left our transport to start our walk to Roman Baths. From the cars looking back down the valley, good views of Gladstone’s Nose and Kamberg Mountain were enjoyed.
Pic 2 – Getting ready to roll!! Pic 3 – Gladstone’s Nose Pic 4 – Kamberg Mountain
Passing the site of one of the original old homesteads of the old farm, all that remain, amazingly enough “intact – but not quite ready for use” was the old toilet. Quite amazing, where everything else around it has been broken, had numerous fires, probably some fierce lightening strikes, and whatever else, the old porcelain has remained, proudly standing up amongst the ruins all around.
Pic 5 – Old ruins – toilet in the background. Pic 6 – “Now if you would all move on, and leave me to Contemplate !” Pic 7 – “Can’t you hurry it up, were busting!”
The path winds on across small valleys, up the other side, and along a ridge down towards a stream that joins the Little Mooi. Across the stream great Sandstone cliffs divided by streams that cut high up towards Giants Castle, stand high and tall. Regular stops along the way made for easy hiking, and plenty of chatter.
Pics 8 – 11 – On the way.
We left the path and threaded our way through long, hard walking veld grass and innumerable small valleys and along the edges of rocky outcrops. Eventually we reached the top of the stream bank where we could look down onto the many pools and rushing white waters of the clear stream pounding down to fall into Roman Baths. A narrow steep overgrown path led us down to the flat rocks surrounding the deep pool of Roman Baths.
Pics 12 – 16 Roman Bath’s area.
Once down on the rocks, shoes and socks were taken off, hot feet dipped in the cold water, then a leisurely lunch was take.
Pic 17 – 18 - Lunch on the rocks.
Some had brought swimming gear, and took to the pools. One intrepid walker could not wait, and jumped into the deep pool before I could get a “plunge picture” Others were a bit more relaxed, and took some time to get “wet and Cool”
Pic 19 – 21 - Cool pools and sedate dippers.
Then, as always after lunch there seems to be a steep climb out of the lunch area to the top of the stream bank. The huffing and puffing from the climb out stream bed, brought all the old hot sweat back again.
Pic 22 – Huffing Puffing up
On the way back we passed the “Balancing Rock” high up on the cliff face.
Pic 23 – Balancing Rock
A s always, somehow, we get those who would have liked a leisurely walk back. But for some the call to get home is loud in their ears, and a good pace was set, and shortly later, we were at the cars, and home.
For info on berg or other hiking/walking, feel free to contact me
