A little tale from the trails again…
January was a couple of days in already, and the last group of hikers where back safe and sound. Which meant one thing for me, time to head out onto the trail to clear my head, find calm, and do some maintenance needed on the trail!
This time, the universe gave me a clear sign as the planets where literally aligning on the set night, with new moon also falling on that day! Which cabin would be perfect for this I thought to myself for a split second, Mnyameni it is!
With a name like “place of darkness” there is no better place.
My plan was to set off and hike to Mnyameni via the 2 day loop trail, sleep the night, observe the stars, then hike to Zingcuka the following day, marking the swimming spots and broccoli rock along the way (story on the name another time) and sleep at the Zingcuka hut for the night, and hike back to Hogsback the following day again. Perfect.
I finalized all the needed arrangements and off I went!
While walking to the starting point, my brain started doing what a reliable brain is supposed to do, it started making calculations… I might miss marking the last 2 swimming spots if I head in the right direction, as I was unsure of the total number of swimming spots, how would I know which ones are the last two?!
Instead, made the decision to hike backwards and mark the first two, while hiking to Mnyameni! Problem solved!
My calculations however didn’t accurately determine the distance difference I was now making, in 40° weather… Changes made, I hiked towards the Zingcuka ridge along Wolfridge road and up along Hog 1 until I reached the trail, and made my way left, let’s go! Taking every moment in, while remarking certain markers and clearing fallen branches, I made my way on the trail.
With Broccoli Rock, the First (well technically the last) swimming spot, and second (second last) swimming spot all marked, I made my way towards the hut, for a magical evening with the stars! Arriving at the hut at around 4pm, a little tired and a whole lot of aches, but happy to be at my destination.
Finally calculating my distance, I realized that I covered a distance of 30km for my first day.
Well ok, that was maybe a bit much, I thought to myself, but a nice hot shower from the donkey boiler will surely soothe all those aches and pains!
I looked around the yard, where is the firewood???!!! The last group of hikers most likely used up the last bit of firewood… OK not good for me, but not the end of the world if I don’t have a nice hot shower, a cold wash and rinse it is then, nothing to cry about.
I decided that a little rest should be had, before making myself dinner and experience the awe of the star night show when it eventually gets dark, perfect…
A little turn here, a little turn there, wait why is it dark already? What time is it? 2am! My little rest break turned into a full blown nap! No ways am I getting up and making dinner now, plus those stars where on full show till around 10pm, so I didn’t have any show to watch anymore, nevermind, turn around and sleep.
The next morning I packed my bag and decided to just head straight back to Hogsback on the trail I planned on taking first on the previous day, the sun was out in full force and I was not in the mood to cook food, I needed to get home and have a hot shower, turns out that shower was really needed… Making my way to my cross road, I realized that the sun was not out for show that day, it was out to dish out punishment, and my body was not in an ayoba state anymore as the heat stroke slowly started to seep in. No where to go but forward Adi!
Making my way from one water source to the next, soaking my hands and feet in the water and splashing my face, then making my way again, each time reaching closer and closer to wanting to vomit, just keep going Adi, just keep going, I hear Dory’s voice in my head.
I made it to Hog 1! 4 purges later however… I need to make a call for assistance I finally admitted. Who to call though, Dylan it is! I popped him a voicenote and asked if he would be able to collect me at the end of the trail, as I knew I was not going to be able to make it on wolfridge road all the way. With no hesitation, he agreed and asked me to let him know when. New hope! My goal is set! I can do this!
I muscled my way down to the top of the thyumi falls, took a big splash and dip and started my decent, informing Dylan that he can make his way, he checked on a beverage order for me, and I chose a coke, this moment calls for a coke. I make my way all the way to the end point, and as I collapse on the ground from sheer exhaustion, Dylan arrives! With an ice cold Coke! One of the best drinks of my life!
Sometimes when you set plans and goals for yourself, it’s good to remind yourself of that Miley song, it’s the climb, not always about the destination, but the experience in between.
Till next time folks
Adi Forestbeing