Hiking on Table Mountain

For South Africans, hiking is part of daily life, just like breathing. It's no wonder considering the fantastic mountain landscape that offers a picturesque backdrop to Cape Town and is a prominent feature of the city. For example, in my hostel, there are free hiking tours offered twice a week. And just like how people jog after work and there are weekly running groups, here people take a brisk walk after work...

So, Denja declared on her birthday that we would hike up Table Mountain, spend the night in a scout hut, celebrate her birthday, and hike back down the next day. And so it was. Considering my nonexistent fitness level, I had a bad feeling. We meet at 3 pm at Kasteelport, the starting point of a hiking route on the seaside. Her scout friends are all very young and fit. I am none of those ;-) The weather is beautiful, and we pass the time playing card games.

When John arrives, we start hiking. The scenery is beautiful! 

The path winds gently upwards. I'm relieved, as the path seems manageable to me.

That changes very quickly when the others decide to take the shortcut. The "shortcut" is actually shorter in terms of distance compared to the suggested tourist trail, but it is much steeper. Very steep, in fact. It's not really hiking anymore, it's climbing. At least in my world.

While the others practically leap up the rocks, my thighs start to hurt painfully. 

Within a very short time, everything starts to hurt, and I feel like I can't walk any further. But giving up is not an option, and the others are just super nice and patient with me. We take small photo breaks and catch our breath. The fantastic view makes the effort worthwhile.

The last hour is really tough before we reach the top. Yeeeaaaah! We made it! The mountain - and me too. 

The hut is great; simple as expected but has everything we need. We cook noodles with cheese using the supplies we brought and eat them with great appetite. Then we drink tea, wine, and beer (also carried up by the others) and make a nice fire with the wood we brought. We play games into Denja's birthday, admire the starry sky and the tranquility. It's really wonderful up here! It's quite cold, and we retreat into our sleeping bags. None of us get much sleep, but it doesn't dampen the good mood. The next morning, we fuel up with cereal before heading back. This time, on the paved path on the land side. The weather is beautiful again today - just like the view.

When we finally arrive, my legs are like jelly! But I'm hippyhappy. Denja too.