Life Trove: Doing 3 days of The Tsitsikama Hiking Trail

I did 2 days of the Tsitsikama Hiking Trail with my family, Chrisèl and some friends from the hiking group. It was a trip down memory lane as I did the 5 day Tsitisikama Hiking Trail 25 years ago as a university student (my first ever multi-day hike) and it was wonderful to awaken treasured memories.

Our hike was a bit different to the usual as huge rains had washed away some of the trails the week before, making our original route impassable.

On the first day, we did a short hike to the first hut from beautiful Nature's Valley. Then, on the second day, we did a 16 km hike through mountains and forest to the stunningly located Bleaaukrantz Hut. On the third day, we left some of our group (who went on to do the rest of the hike) and hiked to the road where we drove to Storms River. We then hiked to Sleepkloof, the final hut of the trail where we swam, relaxed and overnighted before hiking back to Storms River the next day.

Some highlights of the hike ...

Getting to chat up a storm with my wonderful friend, Chrisèl, on the drive to Nature's Valley and catching up on all her adventures in South Africa.
Arriving at the first hut after a 4 km hike to discover that the others had got there effortlessly by doing a short paddle across the river. Still, I needed the warm up for the hike to come.
Finding a large message created on a beach with driftwood saying, "Will you marry me?" and Matt not allowing the other kids to collect it as firewood, saying it wouldn't feel right. That touched me a lot.
The view of Nature's Valley lagoon after a stiff climb on our second morning.
My elation when I realised that my weak and numb feet and legs had regained much of their strength and I would be able to do the hike. Originally I didn't think I'd be up for it and the plan was for me to drive into the huts with the forest rangers each evening. It wouldn't have been the same!
Some invigorating swims in the river pools along the way, especially climbing down to swim in a gorgeous pool at the top of a high waterfall.
Hiking through the forests for which the Tsitsikama area is famous.
The amazing location and views from Beaauwkrantz Hut, overlooking a valley with stunning mountain scenery.
Not having to carry all our food on the hike as the forest department now drives it in for you each evening. So we ate lots of delicious food, including gourmet burgers and a big braai. So different from my experience of the trail 25 years ago when we carried 5 days of food on our backs and ate nothing but dehydrated toppers!
Seeing a genet (my first ever sighting of one.)
Seeing Knysna Louries (Now know as the Knysna Turaco.)
Sleeping under the stars and enjoying serenity and peace - unlike those kept awake in the hut by snoring, creaking bunks and kids falling out of bed!
Our lovely group including MaryAnn, Penny, Barbara, Renen, Paul & Adele and family, Piet and Ronnel and their two daughters, Stuart and his lovely family.
Wonderful chats with Renan about Tai Chi and yoga and Stuart about the environment.
A delicious red cappuccino and spinach quiche at the Mug and Bean at the Storms River Petropoort.
Paul lugging up the hill with a big backpack (laden with the baggage of his family, saying "I feel like a donkey!"