Head South: don't underestimate the mountain (table mountain, cape town)

Last weekend, we went on a hike with our roommate Patrick up to the top of Table Mountain. We had planned to hike up via a route called Skeleton Gorge, and thought after a steep scramble uphill we'd have a leisurely walk to the cable car, which we'd take down again. We got to the top of the climb and saw a sign (conveniently posted at the peak) explaining that the cable car would be closed for maintenance for a month. In the end, we hiked up Skeleton Gorge and two hours across the backside of Table Mountain to the cable car station for a view over Cape Town, then all the way back to the gorge to hike down - a solid 6 hour excursion. Unexpectedly difficult (especially when we ran out of water in hour 4), but completely worth it. The views were fantastic!

Ready to start the hike! The peak above our heads is the first stop, then we headed further west to overlook the city of Cape Town.

Up the kloof...

A nice view over the Southern Suburbs at the top of Skeleton Gorge.

Jennifer and our roommate Patrick (also Minnesotan!)

Jennifer is in this picture, its easier than Where's Waldo--trust me.


Me (Jim this time) showing Patrick--our roomie--where the picture button is. Obviously I was right about where the button is located.

The so called "12 Apostles" for the twelve ridge peaks that end at the point.


No finger or bricks in the foreground of this one :)

The cables from the cable car station disappear as they travel on the way to the building in the lower right foreground of this picture. The peak in the middle is called Lions Head and the elderly/young of Cape Town travel up that mountain with ease. We literally heard of a 95 year old man that, as legend has it, drank his Saturday morning tea up there every week.