Side Note: Water Bottle Beltpack

I had a voucher for Cape Union Mart and spent it on this, my latest bit of walking gear: a Deuter Pulse One waistpack. It carries one large water bottle and has two small side pockets for keys, phone or other stuff. My camera pouch can clip over the belt. Perfect for short walks when I don't feel like carrying a backpack. Love it!
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Side Note: Trail Runners

I've got new shoes! A couple of people recommend New Balance trail running shoes, so thought I'd give them a try. Half price at the outlet store, bargain. Of course I don't do any running but I hope they will be a good walking shoe. They seem very comfortable.
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Side Note: Woods and Whales

Life has been really busy lately. I haven't been doing much walking though and I'm missing it like crazy. I have, however, been reading about walking: Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods.



The book describes the author's walk along the Appalachian Trail in the US. The trail extends approximately 3500km (wow!) from Georgia to Maine. I love Bryson's books; like his others, this one is light and amusing reading, but also full on interesting information and insights. Highly recommended.

While I'm unlikely to ever tackle something as ambitious as the AT I have been wanting to do an overnight or multi-day hike for some time now. I got great news this week... a chance to join a group doing the Whale Trail next year. Several of my friends have done the trail and they all had a fabulous time so it's top of my list of must-do walks. I'm so lucky. Yippee, can't wait!

The Whale Trail is a five-day hike, 55km long, through De Hoop Nature Reserve. We won't see whales in March (they are along the coast June to December) but we will be walking through lovely fynbos and along a spectacular stretch of coastline. It will be summer, so we're sure to be doing lots of swimming too.

I need to train. In the next few months I'm going to try to walk a bit longer and harder and more often than I've been doing recently. I want to get a bit fitter and hopefully drop the kilogram or two (or five) I put on over winter. I've got four months til the hike. I can do it.
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Side Note: New Map

I finally got around to replacing the map that was stolen from me a few months ago. I bought the new 2010 edition of Slingsby's Table Mountain map. These maps (there is a series of five covering the peninsula) are excellent: accurate and comprehensive. They include plenty of information too, including route descriptions, GPS coordinates and emergency numbers. This new one even has photos of common wild flowers.

You'll find this map for sale in most bookshops, outdoor stores and online.


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Side Note: No, Not Again!

[A family of four] were robbed at knifepoint at the top of Table Mountain on Tuesday, raising concerns about security at one of the world’s premier tourist attractions.

Full news story here.

This makes me nervous to go out onto the mountain. A group of four (three men in the party) at Maclear's Beacon (usually a busy spot) in the middle of the day... and still not safe! It's maddening that the authorities can't put a stop to this sort of thing.
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Side Note: Walking Shoes

My two walking buddies both recently bought new walking shoes. Dorothy got some lightweight "adventure sport" shoes from Hi-Tec, and Michele a pair of Salomon hiking boots. Smart, eh? They both had their inaugural walk this last weekend (to Cape of Good Hope). I need to replace my pair fairly soon, but I'm not sure what sort of shoe I'm going to get.


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Side Note: Safety Concerns

Today's Argus newspaper had an article warning people of dangerous areas on the mountain and listing the various muggings and attacks that have occurred over the last few months. I think it's important for us regular walkers and the general public to know what's going on. And it scares me to hear of several more incidents since mine in May.
How much of a concern is safety for you? Has it - will it -should it - change your walking habits? Are there areas you avoid? Do you take any special precautions? I'd like to hear your views on this topic.
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Side Note: New Backpack

I've replaced the backpack that was taken with this new one. It is small basic day pack with the air flow back system I like. It also has a raincoat and weighs less than a kilo. Best of all it cost less than R200 on a half-price sale (from Cape Union Mart). Bargain!


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Side Note: Mugged on the Mountain

Yesterday Michele and I were mugged on Table Mountain. We weren't hurt, but our stuff (backpacks, cellphones and cameras) was taken.

This is how it happened:

We were on the Saddle and had just started up the path to Devil's Peak. We saw two guys moving quickly up the hill towards us from the Newlands side. We both had a bad feeling and we decided to turn around. We then saw that another two men had come up from below. They moved towards us very swiftly. One had a knife. They demanded our camera and backpacks, which we handed over without arguing. We asked if we could keep our keys which they allowed. And then they were gone, very quickly, back towards Newlands. It all happened really quickly.

We made our way back down to Tafelberg Road as fast as we could and reported the incident to the TMNP official at the bottom of Platteklip, who immediately alerted other rangers and the SAPS. We didn't get a terribly good look at the muggers - four young (early 20s) African guys wearing dark clothing. The SAPS think they might be the same lot who carried out some muggings in the Skeleton Gorge area a few weeks ago. They know who they are - had them in custody but had to let them go.

There were a lot of people on the mountain yesterday, but we happened to be alone at that place at that time. Unlucky. Although of course incredibly fortunate there was no violence and that we are fine. Perhaps we shouldn't have been walking just the two of us, but I feel this gang would not have hesitated to confront a group of four or five people. They were out to steal.

Michele is feeling enraged about the whole thing and is full of vengeful thoughts. While I am angry too, I also feel so sad and helpless and resentful that this happened AT ALL let alone TO ME. Walking on the mountain is one of my favourite things to do and now I feel scared to do it. I'm not sure yet what this means for me or for this blog.

For everyone using the mountain: please be mindful of your safety at all times and take every precaution!

Side Note: Pic of the Day and On Not Walking

I had a lovely surprise this week! One of my photos, originally published on my other blog, was selected as Pic of the Day on Cape Town Tourism's blog. You can see it here.

I have not done any walking for over two weeks and it feels all wrong. I think this is the longest break I've taken since I started this blog. For about a fortnight we've been having a heatwave with temps in the high 30s. I don't cope well when it's hot... I've been feeling tired and headachey and very lazy and lethargic. Despite feeling zero motivation to get out and walk I have been missing it dreadfully. Walking makes me feel good and keeps me balanced. I get such peace of mind from the time spent outdoors in nature and the exertion of the exercise. It is good for me in every way. As soon as it cools off I'm going to be out and about. Can't wait. Roll on autumn!
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Side Note: Casual Walking Sandals

My old walking sandals are completely worn out. I'd been struggling to find a pair that I like to replace them... the sandals at all the big outdoor stores are so ugly and/or uncomfortable. I finally had success at Green Cross though with these lightweight and super-comfy pair. They probably won't do for scrambling or trail walking on the mountain, but are perfect for short walks and strolls in the forest, around Kirstenbosch or on the prom.


(Photo by Helen)
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Side Note: Another Field Guide

In addition to these two I have recently acquired a third guide to wild flowers, Hugh Clarke and Bruce Mackenzie's Common Wild Flowers of Table Mountain, published by Struik.



This is an excellent book for the beginner. The flowers are grouped by colour, which makes it much easier to navigate. I also like the very detailed information on whereabouts on the mountain one is most likely to see the flowers. I'm finding it extremely useful.
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Side Note: Field Guides to Flowers

As mentioned in this post I have recently been given two new reference books, both field guides to flowers and fynbos. I thought I'd tell you about them as I love them so! They are already well-thumbed and I can't imagine how I managed without them. Perhaps you might want to add them to your own bookshelf (or backpack).

Wild Flowers of the Table Mountain National Park is a Botanical Society publication (available to purchase on their website here). This edition is the latest one, from 2006. Terry Trinder-Smith's text is accompanied with fine colour illustrations by Mary Maytham Kidd. It is extremely comprehensive and I especially like the size-guide and the information on which area, peaks and slopes particular plants are to be found.



John Manning's Field Guide to Fynbos was published by Struik Publishers in 2007. It covers a wider area that the guide above - the whole Western Cape area, not just the Peninsula. It is jam-packed with useful information and I really like the photographs. The distribution map and guide to flowering months are very handy. I also like the illustrated glossary of terms, and the information on the various flower families.



I've already learnt so much just by paging through the books and by trying to identify flowers. I'm finding it incredibly useful to have both books on hand - comparing the information and illustrations in both has helped me to confirm many of my identifications.

I'm still a complete beginner when it comes to flowers (although maybe it is in my genes - by grandfather wrote a book on wild flowers of the Drakensberg). I'm excited to learn more.
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Side Note: New Camera

Hello new little friend!

I've recovered from the swine flu, and the vile winter weather is clearing. Spring is *almost* in the air. Canon Powershot SX200 IS, I can't wait to take you for a walk on the mountain!
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Side Note: In Case of Emergency

I've been thinking a lot about safety on the mountain recently. My walking group has been lucky ~ we have never had any incidents, accidents or injuries whilst out walking. Of course, we are careful and use our common sense. For example, we (almost) always :

• take plenty of water to drink ~ and snacks to eat
  
• wear sun hats and plenty of sunscreen (very important in summer!)
• pack extra layers and waterproof gear (important in all seasons)
  
• check the weather report beforehand for expected conditions
  
• plan our routes in advance, have a map with us, and stick to paths
  
• take charged cellphones, with emergency numbers saved
• walk in a group, at the pace of our slowest walker
  

That said, I reckon I could ~ and should ~ do more to be prepared for the worst. A friend had to be rescued off the mountain recently after sustaining serious injuries from a mountain-biking accident (get well soon, Renee!). I've read about climbers being injured or needing rescue several times in the last few months and have also heard of an increase in snake-bites. While walking isn't a particularly high-risk activity, I know an accident could happen at any time.

With this in mind I am focusing on putting together a more comprehensive emergency first aid kit and resolving to carrying it with me at all times. This is going to include the following:

• headlamp, emergency whistle, space blanket
• selection of plasters, gauze dressings, and elastic bandages
  
• wrist and ankle supports, moleskin for blisters
• protective gloves, moist towelettes, alcohol swabs
• painkillers: paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin
• antiseptic ointment, antihistamine
• Rehydrate sachets
  
• cotton swabs, safety pins, tweezers, tissues
• a page with all my personal info, medial details, emergency contacts and phone numbers for mountain rescue and other emergency services

One can buy first-aid kits, but I like the idea of putting together my own, possibly a full one for my backpack which I take on longer walks, and a second smaller one for the waist-pack I take on short walks. Also, it wouldn't hurt to re-learn some basic first aid. And I will find my pepper spray and keep it handy.

If you have any thoughts on safety I would love to hear them.
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Side Note: On BOSSY

How cool to be featured on one of my favourite sites! I visit i am BOSSY every day. It is one of my favourite blogs and always makes me smile.
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