At the second attempt we set off with very wet underfoot conditions. There was a large hiking party with a few first timers. The first bit of excitement came shortly after we set off at the first river crossing. The water was much higher than usual and flowing a lot faster. We walked up and down the river trying to find a place to cross without having to take shoes off but no such luck. Rocks were slippery and care had to be taken when crossing as the current was pretty strong.
Once over that, the hike continued along a very waterlogged path which in due course brought us to another river crossing. Those with long legs and some bounce in their legs were able to take the leap without getting wet but for the shorter ones help was needed. Justin just didn't get his grip right and decided an early morning bath was the right thing. Helping hands were quick to pull him across onto dry land. A change of clothing and after waiting a while for everyone the hike continued up a gentle slope. It meandered on and on and just as we had planned it, reaching the saddle in time for a welcome lunch.
Almost an hour was spent here where we had the chance to recharge ourselves. By now the legs were cold and the urge to carry on was not so great any more. From that plateau the hike meandered up a few slopes before the serious downhill started.
The frontrunners were at the gum thicket way before everyone else but had to wait for everyone to gather. Eager to get going the frontrunners once again took up the pace when it was time to get going.
One more slight uphill, before a longish gentle downhill, and then the gravel road to the overnight facility. I was keeping with the middle group and despite that the back-markers fell further and further behind.
Once at the gravel road the waiting started. Eventually the back-markers were spotted, with the help of binoculars, way in the distance. It became obvious that some of the walkers were struggling. I decided to walk back to assist wherever possible and Scouts were not eager to come and help as they were keen to get to the night stop.
The sun had already set when we got to the night stop and there was a big chill in the air. It was great walking into the loft and putting ones feet up for a while before getting ' out the supper rations. The fire was already roaring for the braai. People crashed at - stages of the evening. A good meal, a warm drink and curling up in a warm sleeping bag saw me off to dreamland quickly.
At first light, the first people stirred, and in next to no time there was a lot of commotion. Various breakfasts were cooked or just simply had milk added to them. A leisurely atmosphere prevailed and nobody was in a rush to do anything. Emma and Jason got their sand stories ready after breakfast, which the Scouts cracked with a reasonable amount of success. A short Scouts Own was also held before our departure.
The weather didn't look too good but the rain was holding off for now. At least it wasn't scorching temperatures to walk in.
About 3 km from the overnight stop boots had to be taken off for crossing the causeway. Shortly after this the path swayed off into a valley. There must have been an awful lot of rain in the area as the paths were very slushy. There was a long stretch where most of us moved way off the path, bundubashed and broke another way through on drier ground, rather than take shoes off again or else just trudging through the muck.
Lunch was held along the river at a natural weir. A beautiful sight indeed and after filling the tummies it was off on the last leg. Shortly after lunch the first few raindrops could be felt but they kept at bay. Once we were on the high rise the rain picked up and got harder and harder. It closed in quite rapidly on us and my only hope was that the discomfort wouldn't continue for too long. Not that it bothered me but I was more concerned about the first timers.
It appears that my wishes were granted because shortly after arriving at the car park the rain stopped and the clouds lifted too.
Slowly but surely the back-markers drifted in. A quick rub down with a towel and a change of clothing provided more comfort before we could sink ourselves into the seats for the trip back home but not before a little excitement.
My car wouldn't start. Battery completely dead. No, the lights were not left on!! Attempting to push start on the slippery grass didn't do the trick either.
Eventually we managed to push the car up a little embankment on the road and with more momentum the engine fired into life and with that ended another chapter of a 3rd Pinelands visit to the Groot Winterhoek.