What to pack?
That’s always a question I get asked. Finding a balance between comfort and weight is tricky and a personal thing. It’s taken me a few years of experimentation, but I’m happy with the balance I have found.
So what am I packing for the Cederberg Grand Traverse?
With no clients and the need to move fairly fast I will be going lighter than usual - less first aid gear, clothes and food.
The big 3 (pack, sleep system & shelter):
@freedomultralight Orxy 52 (898g)
@seatosummit Etherlight XT (490g)
@seatosummit Aeros pillow (77g)
@outdoor_elements_shop Aegismax Dusk (568g)
@freedomultralight Bivvy (360g)
Cook system:
@MSR Pocket Rocket stove (85g)
@toaksoutdoor Titanium 650ml pot (80g)
@toaksoutdoor Pot cozy (18g)
@toaksoutdoor Titanium Long spoon (19g)
The rest:
@seatosummit eVac Drybag (Camp clothes, power bank, toiletries)
@freedomultralight Waist pack (50g) containing headtorch, cables, ditty bag, daily snacks (coffee, @get.revive, oats, droewors, dates and @racefoodsa)
@backcountrycuisineza for proper evening meals.
I will also have a paired down first aid & trauma kit, plus my trusty @garminSA InReach mini.
There are a few more bits, but excluding food and water, my base weight will be just under 5kg (11lbs) which puts me on the cusp of the ultralight category.
#gohiking #adventuresoul #gogetlost #wandersoul #wanderthemountains #exploresouthafrica #hikingsouthafrica #adventuresouthafrica #explorethemountains #mountainssouthafrica #cederberg #trailsza #southafricantrails #southafricanadventure #choosemountains #mountainaddict #peoplewhohike #hikemore #hikinglife #summitup #optoutside #takeahike #changeyouraltitude #naturesouthafrica #wildlifesouthafrica #LeaveNoTrace #QualifiedGuidesOnly
A good day out in the mountains.
But what does that mean? I guess it’s different for each of us, but for me it’s pretty simple…..
➡️ Good views ✅
➡️ Good company ✅
➡️ Preferably a coffee with a view ✅
➡️ Ideally some scrambling ✅
➡️ A stunning flower/plant/wildlife ✅
Tick all of these and for me you’ve got a good day. Luckily most days in the mountains are good days 😎
If you’re keen to share some of these good days with me, join our WhatsApp broadcast group for details of my guided group hikes.
Link is in the bio ⬆️
Or hit the button below ⬇️
#gohiking #adventuresoul #gogetlost #wandersoul #wanderthemountains #exploresouthafrica #hikingsouthafrica #adventuresouthafrica #explorethemountains #mountainssouthafrica #cederberg #capetown #trailsza #southafricantrails #southafricanadventure #choosemountains #mountainaddict #peoplewhohike #hikemore #hikinglife #summitup #optoutside #takeahike #changeyouraltitude #naturesouthafrica #wildlifesouthafrica #waterfalls #LeaveNoTrace #QualifiedGuidesOnly
With the Cederberg closed to hikers due to high temps and and a high fire risk, we had to make another plan for our private hike this weekend.
So we switched destination to the incredible Groot Winterhoek reserve and a trip to Die Hel.
Ironically, it turned out to be hotter that the Cederberg…. Temps even hit 51’C as we drove up the Dasklip pas but at least I could reassure the group that we would be spending a lot of time ether hiking by a river or swimming in rock pools.
We still had some crazy heat, but also enjoyed epic thunder and lightning, beautiful skies, good food and of course the most perfect rock pools.
The group were great and it was fantastic introducing some cool people to this stunning area of the Western Cape.
Thank you @johnsonwattstom @lioba_pflaum, @irisvo and @anne.marlies who also made this beautiful film of our weekend 🙏
#gohiking #adventuresoul #gogetlost #wandersoul #wanderthemountains #exploresouthafrica #hikingsouthafrica #adventuresouthafrica #explorethemountains #mountainssouthafrica #cederberg #capetown #trailsza #southafricantrails #southafricanadventure #choosemountains #mountainaddict #peoplewhohike #hikemore #hikinglife #summitup #optoutside #takeahike #changeyouraltitude #naturesouthafrica #wildlifesouthafrica #waterfalls #LeaveNoTrace #QualifiedGuidesOnly
First hike of the year, and it was a goody!
A stunning scramble up a personal favourite - Wood Buttress, one of the Apostles above Camps Bay, with @dino_mite__ and @diannaleigh85
Thanks to @fivestarnomadtravel for trusting us with your clients.
If you’re keen to see more of the mountains in Cape Town and the Western Cape, then join us for YOUR next adventure
#gohiking #adventuresoul #gogetlost #wandersoul #wanderthemountains #exploresouthafrica #hikingsouthafrica #adventuresouthafrica #explorethemountains #mountainssouthafrica #cederberg #capetown #trailsza #southafricantrails #southafricanadventure #choosemountains #mountainaddict #peoplewhohike #hikemore #hikinglife #summitup #optoutside #takeahike #changeyouraltitude #naturesouthafrica #wildlifesouthafrica #waterfalls #LeaveNoTrace #QualifiedGuidesOnly
One of the many, many highlights on this years #Nyamazela hike with @wynbergboyshighschool_offical for @this.is.cape.town was the guys singing #gwijo.
They sang as we hiked, they sang us over the finish line on the last day, but for me the ‘goosebump’ moment was when I was sitting under the stars on the last night listening to them singing and enjoying being together in the mountains after nearly 100kms of hiking.
I managed to catch some of it on video, turn the sound up and picture yourself there. Magical.
#gohiking #adventuresoul #gogetlost #wandersoul #wanderthemountains #exploresouthafrica #hikingsouthafrica #adventuresouthafrica #explorethemountains #mountainssouthafrica #cederberg #capetown #trailsza #southafricantrails #southafricanadventure #choosemountains #mountainaddict #peoplewhohike #hikemore #hikinglife #summitup #changeyouraltitude #naturesouthafrica #wildlifesouthafrica #LeaveNoTrace #schooltrip #QualifiedGuidesOnly
