Joshua ElliottLions Head
June 13th 2008 10:49
Now, before anyone gets too excited, no, I have not suddenly come into possession of a Lions Head. Yet.
Well, since my last post I’ve done a number of exciting and amazing things… kind off. I’ve done a number of things, and that’s the important part.
This Wednesday when I woke up it was raining. For some reason, I had never before come to the realization that YES, it could actually rain on my trip. For something that is so normal and obvious it took me completely by surprise. Anyway, I’d had my Malaria Pill so needed to stand up right for a while (didn’t want to have it erode my esophagus, ew) and since there are far too many tempting couches at my backpackers I resolved to take a walk.
Eventually I wandered upon the gardens – there are many gardens in Cape Town, and even though its winter they remain beautiful. Stranger yet, I saw a Squirrel! Probably seems weird for me to mention this, but in Australia, we don’t have squirrels. To be honest, they look just like small koalas… except in a different shape. What I mean is that they have the same fur.
Yesterday I decided to climb Lions Head. Little did I know it was a much more difficult idea than I first imagined. I set out with two peanut butter sandwiches and a bottle of water – not nearly enough water, in the end. Looking at my map the closest trail that lead to the mountain, which stands almost seven hundred meters above sea level, was a quick stroll from the CBD, so after memorizing the route, I set out.
I soon reached the beginning of the trail – but it wasn’t much of one. In fact, it was more of a mudslide with a few footholds. Joy. I managed to climb up and find a more suitable path, however, and from there I was off on my adventure. I followed several twists and turns on the trail, and forks where I had no idea to go I simply picked a path and went with it. Eventually I reached the top of Signal Hill, the halfway point to Lions Head. I went back down the other side of the Hill and soon found myself at the base of the mountain.
The walk up Lions Head was quite arduous and, at times, perilous. Well, not too perilous, but you know what I mean – The most important thing, with both this and any other hiking, is to well prepared. Good climbing shoes are a must – I can think of no faster way to get yourself killed than attempt this climb in a pair of thongs. And, bring food and water. It’s along way up, but the last half a kilometers is like trying to climb a giant’s escalator.
Eventually I reached the top where I lay down for a few minutes, ate some sandwiches (much to the chagrin of my fellow climbers, all of whom had decided not to bring food), and took a few photos. There were some cute mice of some type running around the top – so strange to see such little creatures so high up.
All else goes well here – this morning I finally found a decent supermarket where I can buy real meat, not just processed junk. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s well worth it. At any rate, I am greatly enjoying myself here.
Well, since my last post I’ve done a number of exciting and amazing things… kind off. I’ve done a number of things, and that’s the important part.
This Wednesday when I woke up it was raining. For some reason, I had never before come to the realization that YES, it could actually rain on my trip. For something that is so normal and obvious it took me completely by surprise. Anyway, I’d had my Malaria Pill so needed to stand up right for a while (didn’t want to have it erode my esophagus, ew) and since there are far too many tempting couches at my backpackers I resolved to take a walk.
Eventually I wandered upon the gardens – there are many gardens in Cape Town, and even though its winter they remain beautiful. Stranger yet, I saw a Squirrel! Probably seems weird for me to mention this, but in Australia, we don’t have squirrels. To be honest, they look just like small koalas… except in a different shape. What I mean is that they have the same fur.
These little guys are hard to take pictures of; I was lucky to get this.
Yesterday I decided to climb Lions Head. Little did I know it was a much more difficult idea than I first imagined. I set out with two peanut butter sandwiches and a bottle of water – not nearly enough water, in the end. Looking at my map the closest trail that lead to the mountain, which stands almost seven hundred meters above sea level, was a quick stroll from the CBD, so after memorizing the route, I set out.
Singal Hill; on the road to Lion's Head
I soon reached the beginning of the trail – but it wasn’t much of one. In fact, it was more of a mudslide with a few footholds. Joy. I managed to climb up and find a more suitable path, however, and from there I was off on my adventure. I followed several twists and turns on the trail, and forks where I had no idea to go I simply picked a path and went with it. Eventually I reached the top of Signal Hill, the halfway point to Lions Head. I went back down the other side of the Hill and soon found myself at the base of the mountain.
It's along road to the top.
The walk up Lions Head was quite arduous and, at times, perilous. Well, not too perilous, but you know what I mean – The most important thing, with both this and any other hiking, is to well prepared. Good climbing shoes are a must – I can think of no faster way to get yourself killed than attempt this climb in a pair of thongs. And, bring food and water. It’s along way up, but the last half a kilometers is like trying to climb a giant’s escalator.
...Yeah, still along way to go.
Eventually I reached the top where I lay down for a few minutes, ate some sandwiches (much to the chagrin of my fellow climbers, all of whom had decided not to bring food), and took a few photos. There were some cute mice of some type running around the top – so strange to see such little creatures so high up.
View from the top - It's a loooong way up high, and Cape Town is HUGE.
All else goes well here – this morning I finally found a decent supermarket where I can buy real meat, not just processed junk. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s well worth it. At any rate, I am greatly enjoying myself here.
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Comment by Cindurzz
i can't climb mountains and such. too unfit
Comment by Kaye
Go Peanut Butter Sandwiches!
Comment by Kaye
Comment by Sue Elliott