24-JAN-2006
Vivid Stream
I couldn't help myself going back to that waterfall and pond we splashed in on the previous day. Taking a little morning stroll only with my camera backpack this was really "Me-Time".Surrounded by nature and the smell of salty water in the air, I climbed up to the fall, which was covered unfortunately in shadow on the day before and now. The only "achievement" was a lost lens cap after jumping over a cliff, the camera first bumping against a rock.
Besides that I made a major mistake not telling the others about my early morning stroll intention, so they did not know where I was. My suggestion, its nice to be allone with nature, but stick to the rules of hiking cameraderie.
Back at the Ngubu Hut Camp, my sister was already waiting with breakfast. What a nice gesture. She knows me and was not worried about her brothers absence at all.
24-JAN-2006
Green Stream Lines
Seen from the saddle of Schilderkrans, this is a perfect example how nature always strives for minimal effort.
The foliage of the shrubbs and little trees are aligned with the main wind direction blowing up the hill. Stepping a little back gave me the opportunity to shot this nice green carpet.
09-SEP-2005
Dolphin School
From Schilderkrans hikers might might be able to spot schools of bottlenosed dolphins, making use of the vast fishing grounds available here.
The image is actually taken from the beach after finishing the trail, so please dear visitor forgive me the little cheat.
24-JAN-2006
Basking The Morning Sun
Just before descending the steep detour to Blou Baai (Blue Bay), the spiders web was glittering in the morning sun, which attractetd my attention.
After walking in the bush for one day one's mind is a bit more settled, the problems of daily work life have faded and there is space in the now calm soul to appreciate things like this.
24-JAN-2006
Mama Africa
If you let your eyes wander arround at Blou Baai (Blue Bay), You might be able to see this sediment copy of "Mama Afrika".
05-SEP-2005
Art Of Erosion
Salt water erosion has washed out the sediment layers of different hardness and created this wonderfull fishshaped abstract.
With a trained and experienced eye you will be able to see much more of these. It is just beautiful to see the history of millions of years earth history here at blue bay's rock cliffs being uncovered or at least opened up to read in it.
24-JAN-2006
Comitted To Service
They can pop out everywhere, SAN-Park workers definitely love and appreciate their own working environment very much.
Keeping the paths and little stream crossings hikeable is only one of their tasks. By doing so they also deliver a big contribution to conservation, since warn out trails tend to become bald, a perfect attack point for natural erosion.
You can contribute to their work by adhering to the rules of the park, sticking to the marked sections (yellow Otter Claw) of the trail.
24-JAN-2006
With Eagle
Eyes Precision
24-JAN-2006
Picturesque Niche
From my first experience with the Otter Trail in 2005 I know this wonderfull hide away place.
If you hike with a loved one its now time to let them know. Just imagine it's you own your own surrounded by nature. Splashing here could get very exciting.
One thing left to be mentioned:
As a sign of respect and appreciation towards mother nature, if you plan to combine splashing with washing yourselves, use biodegradable soap, which is available at sophisticated outdoor stores.
Give the natural filters (wet moss carpets, riverbed gravel and rock ambracing plants) a break and treat them as precious resources.
05-SEP-2005
Backpackers
Not sure what these two grasshoppers are doing here, mating or a mother carrying her young.
Interesting enough to attract my attention I found plenty more of them hanging around Scott Hut and they would not be the last ones to see. Although quite numerous they appeared not to have this destroying impact on the environment when feeding.
05-SEP-2005
Resting Equipment
Don't underestimate your feets need for a proper rest and treatment.
Give your walking stick's housing some fresh air. Dry shoes and socks wear better and are more unlikely to cause blisters.
Ankle covers are not a "must-do" on the Otter, but help to keep little stones, partially degraded remains of tree bark and other alien elements out of touch from your most precious gear:
The soles of your feet.
24-JAN-2006
Outdoor Shampoing
We were lucky enough to meet them on the trail. Not that they provided us with some good outdoor hints, they also showed us, that one should treat themselves with good food while on the hike.
On the first night at Ngubu hut to our all surprise, Fiona pulled a lobster out of her backpack. Here at Scott Hut we were offerd to be treated with some mussels, freshly picked from the rocks.
The most important message we've got was, as Shaen later stated in her article about the Otter Trail:
"on a 42km's hike in five days there is certainly no need to rush but rahter use the time to enjoy and follow the trail and not a fashion."
....found that to be very true.
05-SEP-2005
Night Stories
These guys I met on my first Otter trip in 2005.
Arriving the first day in Ngubu hut, I was told that the first hut was already fully occupied. Being wet from the drizzle, teethgrinding I carried on walking to the second one. Getting there I was just about to hear the same story again, when I switched from english to afrikaans.
The guys were in for a big surprise hearing a german guy speaking their mother language. It did not take long and the ice of first encounter was broken, welcoming me heartwarming in their group.
Leon, the guy to front right, helped me later when I insured my knee at Blue Bay and carried my backpack and his own one up Cliftons Bank. I really felt at home from the beginning with this group from the "Pretoria Dapper Stapper Klub".