Hiking up the Platteklip-Gorge Trail to Table Mountain

Yesterday was the day, after visiting an active volcano in Java, I climbed a mountain for the first time in my life. Table Mountain is located in the west of Cape Town near the Atlantic Ocean. The highest point of Table Mountain is Maclear's Beacon at the northeastern end of the plateau, with an elevation of 1087 m. As I mentioned in my last post, there is also a cable car that takes you up in five minutes. Unfortunately, it is closed due to maintenance work until August 5th. So I had no choice but to try one of the many hiking trails that also lead to the summit. My alarm went off at 6:00 am, and after a cup of coffee, I headed towards Table Mountain in the dark, and by 7:30 am, I was at the mountain. There are many different trekking trails on the mountain. I chose the fastest way to the plateau, the Platteklip-Gorge Trail. This trail starts from the Tafelberg Road behind the cable car station, leading to the contour path and then through the Platteklip Gorge directly to the plateau of Table Mountain. I read on the internet that this ascent is very strenuous and requires a sufficient level of fitness. When I look at myself and my sporting activities in recent years, I can honestly say that my fitness level tends toward zero. However, I didn't have much choice as all the other routes would have taken much longer, and it would have been difficult to drive back in the car, so I had to attempt it in one day. So I thought, I'll just start and if it becomes too much, I'll turn back. I started the ascent at 7:50 am and was still the only one on the mountain. The advantage of the early hour was that the sun had not yet risen above Table Mountain, so I could cover most of the distance in shade. The first few meters were relatively easy, and I made good progress. The trail consists of small and large rocks, sometimes they are like stairs, and sometimes you have to climb up the rocks. The parking lot and my car kept getting further away, and I thought to myself: Wow, this is easy, if it continues like this, I'll be at the top in 30 minutes. After about an hour and I think about 50% of the way, I took a breakfast break. From there, I had an indescribably beautiful view of Cape Town, which was still shrouded in a light morning mist. When I started my ascent, Table Mountain was still free of any clouds. Unfortunately, that changed quickly, and a white layer of fog covered the Table, so I knew that when I reached the top, I wouldn't even be able to see Cape Town. This layer of fog can remain over Table Mountain for several days due to the winds. However, my determination was awakened, and I was determined to reach the plateau. After my breakfast break, three friendly Japanese people joined me, and we took turns walking past each other after short breaks. The first 2/3 of the way were relatively quickly covered, and although it was strenuous, it was manageable. The last 1/3 of the way was simply torture. My legs, feet, and thighs were already tired and weak from the distance I had covered, and then there were these huge rocks to climb. But since I had already come this far, I didn't think about turning back and tackled one rock after another. The breaks became longer, and the distance covered became shorter. Furthermore, it had become quite cold due to the layer of clouds. But by 10:00 am, I had made it and reached the plateau. In total, it took me about two hours, with about thirty minutes of break time. The estimated time to reach the plateau was 2.5 hours, so I was very proud of myself for making it so quickly. Completely soaked with sweat, I high-fived the Japanese people, and we were all relieved to be at the top. From that point, it was about a 15-minute walk to the upper cable car station. From there, you had a very beautiful view towards the ocean. While the Japanese people were technically skilled in climbing the mountain, they didn't demonstrate their greatest talent when taking photos. In four out of five pictures, my feet were cut off :D As expected, I couldn't see anything of Cape Town. After a thirty-minute break, I wanted more and decided to reach the highest point of Table Mountain. It was about an hour's walk from the cable car station, and since I had plenty of time, I just started walking and arrived at Maclear's Beacon 45 minutes later. I was the only one on this path, and it went through a foggy, rocky swamp landscape. Because of the fog, you could sometimes not see further than five meters, and it was quite cold. I could hear frogs on the left and right side of the path, and a porcupine gave me the scare of my life. When I reached the highest point, I took a lunch break and then walked back to the starting point of the Platteklip Gorge. As with the ascent, the descent was also challenging. It took me another 1.5 hours, and it felt even more strenuous than the ascent. I kept looking back and wondering how I managed to climb up there. On the way back, I had to use my hands to help me constantly. The steps were sometimes so high, and the descent put a lot of strain on my knees. In addition, one had to be constantly concentrated to avoid slipping or twisting an ankle. Unfortunately, I slipped lightly on my behind once, and once I twisted my ankle pretty badly, fortunately, it was close to the end, so I gritted my teeth and continued towards the car. However, the feeling when I finally reached the car was simply indescribably beautiful. I knew I had made it and probably successfully completed the greatest physical challenge of my life. I don't know if the pictures can describe how the path was and how it felt. But I felt and still feel great for having achieved it. Afterward, I went to Signal Hill, a 350m high hill from which you have a great view of Cape Town and Table Mountain. I could still see the thick layer of clouds on Table Mountain. On Signal Hill, it was nice and warm in the sun, and I watched some paragliders take off. In the late afternoon, I drove to my accommodation at Sunset Beach and took a nice hot shower. When I woke up this morning, I could clearly feel each step in my legs, and I have a nice muscle ache. But it was absolutely worth it. The only thing I unfortunately couldn't admire was the view of Cape Town from Table Mountain. But that is a good reason to come back, but definitely take the cable car :D