No quarter asked or given

The Arangieskop Trail of June 2011 was not a 'walk in the park' for me...
After doing it 3 or 4 times previously, I've learnt that time has taken its toll on me.

The 1st day unfolded without any major mishaps. It was a slog, but done in good time.
The occassional squawk of the 2 way radio accompanied us to the blustery top.

The snow on the distant mountains was quite a sight! like a light frost on a cake. Diè bakker was baie suinig!

Our time at the overnight hut was spent eating laced brownies and coping with the after effects (for some) and others actually disappointed that they had had none ( after effects, I mean).
Supper was made by Justin, amidst clouds of smoke. Occasionally, windows would be opened to ventilate the cabin because the stove was smoking! Then the temperature would go down and the fire would be fed religiously to get it up again. This dance would continue to bedtime.

After supper some okes were given a 'varkie' at klawerjas. A few hairs were neatly brushed in place to impress the new group that joined us (there were 2 ladies of the female persuasion in that group).
Some 'wine tasting' afterwards when some had already crawled into their sleeping bags. The die-hards sit 'bankvas' with a selection of tipple presented at the table in hip-flasks, coke and water bottles and the genuine glass bottle. Geen genade is getoon nie! Alles is somier verslind! Lekker geslaap daarna....

The snoring on this particular hike was not as bothersome as usual. The main contenders probably didn't think the competition was tough enough, especially since the title holder (Greg Geduld) wasn't there.

We awoke to the wind roaring at us to get going , it couldn't wait to play!
Oats was made, coffee was a forlorn hope and mugs were left behind.............

Then the slog to the high point, the photo shoot of the virgins AND then the dreaded downward
trudge .

On this day, this trail claimed some skin and blood.
I took a tumble on some rocks or as sister dearest said: "like someone doing cartwheels without using their arms" WTF!!!?
We were together up to this point. When she saw that I was in the capable hands of Wally and Ferdie, she abandoned me to go haring off on her own!
We saw her again after more boulder hopping, gorge scaling and chain hauling. She was on the opposite side of the valley, looking like a little pin with a yellow head!

Yup, that downhill really tested me physically and mentally.
Reaching that jeep track at the bottom was like crossing the finish line, ' cos you knew that the rest of the way was a stroll to warmth, cheers, white-toothed smiles, big bear hugs and that looong awaited cup of coffee!