Jack and Jill go up Mahai

The Jack and Jill Hiking Club went to the Royal Natal National Park: Mahai Campsite on the weekend of the 20-22 May. The word ‘Mahai’ is Sesotho for ‘Rocky Krantz’. The Mahai Campsite is well maintained and offers kitchen facilities with hydro boil for hot water. There are a number of ablution blocks which are well maintained and are kept neat and clean.

As Friday was a chilly 14 degrees, there was a general concern that is may be a cold weekend but it proved to be a stunning weekend with lovely sunshine weather on both the Saturday and Sunday. The evenings were a bit cool but gathering around a braai fire kept the chill away.

The hikers arrived at Mahai Campsite on the Friday afternoon where tents were set up and the camp arranged. Take-aways were enjoyed as an evening meal which were purchased from the Tower of Pizza on route to Mahai. Saturday morning the hikers took on the hiking trail to The Crack. It had been decided the previous night to go as far as The Crack and then return back down the Crack and not do The Mudslide section of the hike as it may have been a bit too challenging for the shorter ladies in the group. We had a short break at the Cascades then we started the steep climb to Out Look Rock where a break was taken to catch our breath before we continued onto The Crack. To climb up the Crack is quite a boulder climbing experience, there was a wooden ladder to climb up the one section and then we reached the Chain ladder. The braver hikers climbed up the chain ladder in no time. It was decided, there, to make that our turn around point and head back down the Crack. The hikers took the circular route back to the campsite.

After freshening up at Mahai campsite, the hikers made themselves comfortable and relaxed for a while before braai fires were started and supper enjoyed. Sunday morning, the hikers leisurely packed up and enjoyed brunch, before heading home.

Next month’s hike will be to Cape Vidal, on the weekend of the 9-12 June. For further details contact Willem Bouwer on 082 856-7664.

Also read: Jack and Jill Hiking Club- another great weekend at Babanango Valley Lodge.

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