Exploring Nature

Today my son learnt something, ‘Determination’. This was one of many entries in the visitors book on Craddock Peak. Another read ‘made it in 3hr30, now please send a chopper to get me down’. Others quoted Biblical text, others admired the spectacular views, and one lady was amazed at how many of her friends had been up previously, yet had never mentioned their hiking exploits to her. Collectively, all entries all expressed pleasure at their hiking achievement.

The Craddock Peak walk is by no means easy. Basically you start at the bottom of the mountain at 126m above sea level and walk up for the next 9.07km to finish at 1572m above sea level, an altitude gain of 1446m. But it is worth it! And if you don’t have weary legs as a reminder for a few days afterwards then your photo’s will be a enduring reminder of your accomplishment.

Recently I completed my eighth walk up and the seventh to reach Craddock Peak. The missed opportunity occurred when we were forced to turn around from the Saddle due to deteriorating weather. We had started off in partly cloudy conditions, but by the time we reached the Saddle, heavy cloud had set in with a strong wind simultaneously drenching and chilling us. One member of the group did not have any warm clothing, so we made a cup of coffee to warm her hands before heading down to the warmth of a coffee shop.

This was a valuable lesson. Though Craddock Peak is by no means a high mountain, it is subjected to rapidly altering weather conditions. The best advice when planning this walk is to observe the old scouting mantra of ‘Be Prepared’. It is best to always have a fleece top and a wind breaker or rain jacket, a beanie and gloves with you when going up the mountain. It makes your day pack heavier, but you will be thankful if you suddenly need it.

The route starts at the info office at Witfontein and meanders through some pine plantations towards the railway line. Just as you have warmed up, the trail descends to Power Stream, one of two rivers you will cross on the walk. From the stream you ascend the southern slope of the mountain with only three level sections en route, one along the railway line, the next at the 5.3km marker at 890m and the next at 7.2km as you reach the Saddle at 1290m.

Another important item to pack is a water bottle, at least 2 liters per person as you will perspire a lot and at altitude you loose more moisture in your exhalation than at sea level. There is a ‘water hole’ 300m before the saddle, but it is not deep and contains sediment and at times is dry and should only be considered only in an emergency. Food is also important to pack as your outing will be between 6 and 8 hours of walking.

Climbing up from the railway and looking over George is impressive, but the real beauty of the walk presents itself to you when you summit the Saddle, a level section that is the T-junction for the paths to Craddock Peak and George Peaks. Cresting the Saddle you are presented with vistas of the spine of the Outeniqua Mountains stretching east and west, a series of peaks fading towards the horizons. From here it is a 40 minute walk to the tower on Craddock Peak and a 25 minute walk to George Peak. The final approach to Craddock Peak requires some scrambling up some steep rock and walking along some exposed cliffs, but once you are over and on the peak the views can be spectacular as raptors play in the air currents above your head.

Standing on the summit, on a clear day you can see Mosselbay, view the Swartberg Pass and look into Meringspoort. The feeling is awesome and you may even be seduced to planning your next mountain outing. Now you have the return descent to look forward to, though it is by no means easy on the legs. Expect your quads to give you a reminder of your endevour during the following few days.