Kogelberg biohikes

19 November 2013 - 12:59pm — magrietb

I am toying with the idea of putting the word out whenever I have time to do a bit of biohiking in the Kogelberg / Somerset West area, as I have become aware of some shared enthusiasm for this corner of the world. I think it would be nice if we try to co-ordinate things a bit better, and I'm willing to give it a shot. Nothing too ambitious, mind!

The first suggestion was for a Highlands walk with Tony, if dates can be arranged. Tony can only do mid-week, but more than that I do not know.

Please feel free to make suggestions below, or if you'd like to be kept in the loop email me at magrietb-at-gmail-dot-com. (does that even make any difference for preventing spam I wonder?)

First hike Highlands

20 November 2013 - 11:26am — magrietb

Possible dates would be next week 28 or 29 Nov, or some time during December. Suggestions are welcome.

28 please

20 November 2013 - 12:25pm — tony rebelo

Would prefer 28 please. But I need to be back to 17h00 in Cape Town, so can we please have an early start: Say 07h00 at Peregrine. I need Friday to prepare for my Rome trip the next week.

Magrietb: can you please organize a permit with Mark, and most especially a key to the gate, so that we can start at the official start and not on the road where our cars will not be safe.

Perfect

20 November 2013 - 12:57pm — magrietb

Thursday the 28th of November it is! 7:00 at Peregrine Farm Stall on the N2 by Grabouw for those coming from Cape Town. I will meet you at the gate to Highlands trail, on the Highlands Road near Iona wine farm, at about 7:20.

I shall ask Mark if he would let us have the key.

thanks

20 November 2013 - 1:26pm — tony rebelo

thanks

Roads

20 November 2013 - 4:07pm — Mo

Are the roads ok for normal low-slung sedans?

Roads

20 November 2013 - 4:38pm — magrietb

To the gate, usually absolutely okay for a normal car. The last bit is steepish uphill gravel road and may be very messy after the storms though. You may choose to leave your car at Peregrine and catch a lift with one of the trokdrywers, I have left a car there before and feel safe doing so as there are security guards and lots of other people.

After the gate I don't know, if necessary we may be able to park just inside and hop into one of the trucks at that point.

Hope that helps!

Sounds good.

21 November 2013 - 4:22am — vynbos

I hope to be there.

Oops

21 November 2013 - 10:51am — magrietb

Of course all the Kogelberg hiking trails are closed at the moment due to storm damage, until further notice. We will have to see what they say after the weekend.

Wrong Attitude

21 November 2013 - 11:32am — tony rebelo

Tell Mark that we will go and survey the route for any damage and send him a report.

Dont give up: improvise!

And...

22 November 2013 - 5:25pm — vynbos

We'll rescue and re-plant red-listed bulbs we found washed out of the ground.

NO!

24 November 2013 - 5:50pm — tony rebelo

That would be interfering with a natural process!
Unless the wash-away was because of a road or bridge ...

Bad start

26 November 2013 - 2:36pm — magrietb

Friends, it's been confirmed at last: Kogelberg Reserve can't give us permission to walk any of their trails at the moment, at all. Not even special permission and not even if we offer to work hard for them. Mark is on holiday until the 17th and the people left in charge are unwilling to risk our safety as the Reserve would be held liable. I'm afraid that no amount of attitude changes on my part could shift theirs!

Time for plan B. Tony, would you still be keen to do something?

Plan B

26 November 2013 - 6:26pm — tony rebelo

Thursday the 28th of November it is! 7:00 at Peregrine Farm Stall on the N2 by Grabouw for those coming from Cape Town. We will meet you at the gate to Highlands trail, on the Highlands Road near Iona wine farm, at about 7:20.

Hooray!

27 November 2013 - 6:31am — magrietb

Thanks, will see you there.

First hike Highlands

30 November 2013 - 12:28pm — magrietb

We had a good long day in the mountain with a lot of interesting and very special plants, a lifter-upper of rocks who found amazing critters, and even a history lesson.

Have a look HERE for our observations of the day, which included a couple of grubs large enough to fill the palm of your hand, my personal favourite (eeew)!

Many thanks to all who came along, with special thanks to Tony for making it happen.