NEWSLETTER NUMBER 224
11 May 2015
Mzimkulwana Hut
Giant’s Cup Trail
Cobham
Southern Drakensberg
25 - 26 April 2015
The Mzimkulwana Hut, situated about 9 kilometers from Cobham/Polela Hut, on the Giant’s Cup trail, is an ideal week end getaway for a “Family bonding session”. The walk is easy, with great scenery, and the hut is comfortable, however you do have to take your own sleeping mattresses.
A happy and excited group met at Cobham Nature Reserve at a reasonable hour for a week end hike, as the day would be easy and short, we planned to reach the hut for a “late-ish” lunch. It was the first time for some of the younger members of the party to carry a heavy back pack ( normally the “elders’ had done this, now it was the time for each tor carry their own. So, bags were checked for proper packing, and that no hard objects would dig into backs along the way, then “saddled up”, and off we set.
Pic – 2 – 3 - A very pretty sight in the morning – Underberg in Autumn
Pic – 4 – “Ready steady” , must we carry all that !?.
The first part of the hike takes in a bit of altitude, and for some the climb seemed to go on and on. However, we were fortunate enough to have a group of Eland grazing ahead of us, and the views into the farming area below were very beautiful. The green irrigated pasture starting to stand out from the drying winter veld grass. The culmination of the climb ends at “Tortoise Rocks”, take your time here and use a bit of imagination to make out the shapes of the rock tortoises.
Pics – 5 – 10 – Polela to Tortoise Rocks.
From Tortoise Rocks, it is a skip and a hop to Bath Plug Cave, the first water one can get after leaving the car park. The path is fairly even , but that is relative to what you want “easy” to be. However, the views along the way of the farm lands far below are great enough to not place too much stress on the walk. The path is narrow, so unless you make an effort and look around you, all you will see is the path in front of you.
Bath Plug Cave is huge wet overhang type cave, at the far end is a stream which drops down a short rock face before being lost in the ground. Cool, clear water fills is the order of the day. One needs to drink all the time to replace lost body fluid from the hike. After a while we moved on , the cave was cold, and found a warm spot to sit and enjoy the views of the valleys and mountains around us. Further on, we were watched by part of a troop of baboons. Their winter coats, already well grown for this time of year, shimmering in the afternoon sun. Further down the valley, a farmhouse nestled amongst some trees at the edge of a dam – must get pretty cold there in winter.!
Pic – 11 – 13 - the hole in the floor of Bath Plug Cave.
Pics - 14 – 16 Sights along the way.
Around the corner, down the valley, our destination – Mzimkulwana Hut was waiting for us. The faster younger folk arrived first, dropped their packs and waited for the more leisurely hikers. A late lunch was prepared and really enjoyed by all. Then it was time to relax, chat or take in the scenery from different vantage points. As the shadows dropped into the valley, the cold crept in, so it was an early supper just as the sun set the heavens ablaze in a beautiful pink sunset.
Pics - 17 – 25 at the hut.
During the previous evening some alterations were made to a back pack or two, and the “packing order of goods and shackles” was discussed. We had planned to get up early to watch the sunrise, however due to a cloudy horizon, we stayed in bed a bit longer. The first to move were those who had a :hard sleep” on the wooden bunks of the beds – suffice to say - having a good night’s sleep is important on any trail.
After breakfast, the younger folk had been tasked to lead us back, and they were eager to show their pace. They set off at a good pace, and the ‘view minders” had to watch out that we were not left too far behind. Stopping points had to be detailed so we could catch up, and of course make sure that everyone was o.k. Water was again filled at Bath Plug Cave, although this time from the bottom of the valley below the cave.
Tortoise Rocks came into view, and of course the valley farmlands, from which we had walked away from on our way up the hill. So it gave some a chance to look down into the various colours and patterns of the agricultural land below.
Pics – 26 – 35 - The way home.
Back at the cars, hiking boots were greatfully taken off, and soft shoes put on. Some blisters had grown, and feet were tired. Lunch was enjoyed at the cars before we headed our separate ways home.
A truly great week end away, at one of the best times of the year to enjoy the berg. It was great to hike with young people who so enjoy the outdoors, and also with their parents who take the time to share our wonderfull mountains, and bond further with their families. Well done to all of you.
Pic - 36
From now on the cold sets in , fire breaks are burnt, the grass gets browner, and the berg takes on a cold and dreary look about it.
