Hiking Club travel to Three Province Trail
The hikers had to contend with the rain, cold and howling wind on Friday night.
The Jack and Jill Hiking Club hike took place on the weekend of March 16-18 at Three Provinces Trail situated on the farm Waterval in the Volksrust Area. The Three Province Trail is where KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Free State boundaries meet.
The Three Provinces main attraction is the 4×4 adventures, offering four trails namely the Three Provinces Trail; the Tierkloof Trail; Bobbejaankrans Trail and the Roodedraai Battlefields trail. Hiking trails and mountain biking are also offered.
Accommodation is offered in rock cabins, log cabins and two campsites. The hikers camped at the Rooibektiptol Campsite, which offers clean ablutions and hot water from a donkey.
A few lucky hikers arrived just before the heavens opened and the rain set in, so they managed to get themselves set up before the rain but unfortunately the majority of the hikers arrived in the rain. As the campsite can only be reached in 4×4 vehicles some hikers had to have their luggage transported to the campsite in an open bakkie and all their luggage got wet thus starting the weekend off on a damp note. The late hikers also had to set up tents in the rain so Friday night there were many wet hikers. One hiker kindly provided massive hamburgers and chips for supper, which was enjoyed by all.
Saturday afternoon the clouds broke and the sun peeked out for a short while and some of the hikers made the best of the sunshine and break in the rain to take a short walk
The hikers had to contend with the rain, cold and howling wind on Friday night. The changing wind blew the tents almost flat and sometimes forced the side of the tent down, therefore, licking the person trying to sleep. None of the hikers got much sleep on Friday night.
Saturday morning the hikers woke to a freezing wind and more rain. A vote was taken if it would be better to pack up and head home as the cold and the rain was unpleasant and hiking was out of the question in the wet and muddy conditions. A fire was made and mealies braaied. Some of the hikers decided that enough was enough and packed up and headed home. The other hikers decided to stay and turn the weekend into an enjoyable social event.
Saturday afternoon the clouds broke and the sun peeked out for a short while and some of the hikers made the best of the sunshine and break in the rain to take a short walk. Saturday night the hikers braaied and socialised around a lovely campfire.
Sunday morning broke overcast and misty but that illusion was soon spoilt when the heavens once again opened up. The hikers decided that they needed to drink a quick cup of coffee and pack up as soon as the rain slacked off and get back to the farmhouse as the 4×4 track is known to get very muddy especially after all the weekend’s rain and then another shower of rain on Sunday morning.
The weather was not the best but the hikers still had a lovely weekend socialising and catching up with one another.
The next hike will take place in April 2018. For further information, contact Willem on 082 856 7664.
