Omega

Okay, peoples. 5 days of fun and sun. This is my last post - till we hike again

Your's sincerely
Mr Incredible

Burgers

Ordering burgers, dagwoods and hot chocolates. The team has completed the task at hand - this is Ayoba!

Absent minded

The road into Nature's Valley. Hamburgers, milkshakes etc on the mind now

Together

Its been memorable thus far - the priviledge we had to spend time together - priceless.

Beach

The Otter trail ends on the beach at Natures Valley. Shoes off

Ladies shoes

Like I said - well represented

Salomon

This outdoor brand is well represented on the hike. I salute you

Hurdles

Some fallen trees just to get the hammies going

Loerie

The ladies spotted some loeries - they're unfortunately too quick for the cameraman

Mystic

Day 5 and the trail still does not dissappoint. The weather is favourable and the road is pretty flat. I had a quadruple espresso for breakfast - but missing the Daily Buzz

Protea

Some cool scenes - let's call this one Graeme Smith

Spaghetti

To top it all, Francois and Gerrie busy with our spaghetti. Andre and Mariaan will attempt a bobotie. Can you imagine

Rain

We have arrived at the hut where we'll spend our last evening. The rain also joined us and now its getting real cosy. Today's hike exceeded the level of difficulty of Day 2. We had to rush and in this we became tired fast.

Tomorrow we'll ascend again to look down on the beautiful ocean only to descent onto the beach at Nature's valley.

Huts

The last nights huts

Near

We covered 10km and crossed Bloukrans before 10am - not too shabby. The end is near

Cliff

Looking back north at the Bloukrans crossing

The river is running

Derick points out towards the section where we cross. We reached Bloukrans an hour after low tide

Road

After a 6am start we followed the road for 10km to reach Bloukrans before the tide is too high

All

I know the quality of this photo is bad - but I thought it will be cool to upload it anyway. This one was taken this morning just after we crossed the Elandsbos river. I used the tripod and this particular photo was taken with my mobile from the rear LCD display of Francois' camera

Tripod

Jaco borrowed me his flexipod so I can take group photos or ones where the exposure requires the camera to be steady

Direction

The Otter trail is clearly marked with yellow little paws to indicate the way

Pieta

Name: Pieta Heyns
Occupation: Business Analyst

Annehette

Name: Annehette Troost
Occupation: Artist

Crossing

The Lottering river crossing on day 3. Not too hectic though. Tomorrow we look forward to the crossing at Bloukrans - we need to get on the road by 6 to be there in time for low tide

Visible

Day 3 and we are past half way. This journey has proved itself to both surprise and impress each and every one.

Day 1 was quick but scenic. Day 2 had its own beauty under the canopy with the surprise of Bloubaai. Day 3 kept us close to the ocean, yet distant enough to appreciate the fynbos only the fairest Cape can offer.

The cellphone signal is not the best so my posts are a bit delayed. Only when there is sufficient signal, the emails go through. I also need to keep be mindful of the battery life of the mobile device - but luckily this BlackBerry proves its worth.

The general spirit in the camp is very good. Everyone enjoys it to be out in nature and facing the elements.

We have learned over the past few hikes that the effort we put into the preparation of the recipes generally contributes to the level of satisfaction of the hike - to a large extent. We therefore did not mind to carry a few extra kg's just to enjoy it along the way.

On day 1 we had steak with mash and gravy for dinner. Vacuum packed meat can last a few days although its a bit heavy - definitely worth it. Last night we enjoyed pap & wors - true South African style. Tonight we'll get adventurous with a Biltong Stroganoff. Recipe available on request. Lunches included tuna, sardines even salmon with some biscuits and cheese.

Loner

Derick crosses the Elandsbos river

Low tide

At the end of day 2, you are greeted by two huts named Scott. The view is immacculate - overseeing a small river running into the ocean

Mariaan de Jonge

Name: Mariaan de Jonge
Occupation: Physio

Koos

Name: Koos van der Lende
Occupation: Landscape photographer

Lizl

Name: Lizl Otto
Occupation: Hairdresser

Bloubaai reviewed

The same beach, just with a different view. You first need to ascent a few hundred metres to get here. Day 2 is just the way I remember it from last time - up and down and up and down...

Bloubaai

One of the optional routes rewards you with this little gem of a beach.

Andre

Name: Andre van Zyl
Occupation: First year coordinator at UJ

Mariaan van Zyl

Name: Mariaan van Zyl
Occupation: Audiologist

Liette

Name: Liette van der Merwe

Derick

Name: Derick Troost
Occupation: Financial planner

Gerrie

Name: Gerrie de Jonge
Occupation: Logistics Manager

Francois

Name: Francois Groenewald
Occupation: Civil Engineer

Anri

Name: Anri Heyns
Occupation: Photographer

Wine

Even though luxuries such as wine might be too heavy for some - check the latest plastic bottled Backsberg wine. Ideal for hiking. Francois has got one bottle for each evening.

Whales

Sitting around the fire before sunset we spotted some whales - what a bonus! Unfortunately the camera on this BlackBerry could not capture the evidence.  You just have to trust me. Really.

Waterfall

The famous waterfall on Day 1, 2.8km into the total of 4.8km for the first day. We arrived at the huts around 14:30 after the 10:30 start.

Derick twisted his ankle and after a treatment by Mariaan, he looks fit to go again. We'll see tomorrow - the toughest day according to me.

Coastline

Day 1 keeps us along the coastline. The rock formations display the splendour of creation.

Alpha

Monday morning - 12 very excited people

Day 1

Soon after the start - the sea appears. Over the following 5 days - we'll enjoy a fair extent of waves and fresh air

A taste of some mountains

Our journey started off on Kulula going south to George. Our hike only begins  on Monday so we have the weekend to explore. We headed back north just past Outshoorn - next to the Cango Caves. Koos joined Anri and I and the sight of his Cruiser (photo to come) promised an unbelievable ride to the start.

On a farm that looks up towards  the Swartberg mountains, we enjoyed a lovely evening around the fire. Topped by a win on Newlands that sets up a final in Durban in two weeks time - this week can only exceed our expectation.

PROVINCE !!!

Map of the trail

The Otter hiking trail is undoubtedly the best known and most popular of the South African hiking trails. It must rank alongside the best trails in the world and follows the spectacular Eastern Cape coastline from Storms River Mouth to Natures Valley in the Tsitsikamma National Park.

This 5 day trail traverses 42 km of rugged coastline, with the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean on the one side and fynbos and indigenous rain forest on the other, crossing 11 rivers on route to Nature's Valley.