Santie Gouws Mountain Walking Guide

11/09/2022

Some more impressions from this past week's Wupperthal66 hike.

To book for next April, e-mail me at [email protected]

10/09/2022

I've just returned home from guiding the Live the Journey Wupperthal66 hike in the northern Cederberg and what an experience! This is soooo much more than just another hike in the mountains, it really is an immersion in and connection with the mountains and the people of Wupperthal who has made this remote place their home. Many of the outposts are only reachable by foot or four by four vehicle, and yet there are small, but vibrant communities living there.

Humbling, invigorating, exceeding all my expectations.

Tonight, as I cuddle back into my own home, my little Orange Villa in Observatory, Cape Town, enjoying my creature comforts, I reflect on the houses/homes we came across along the route, firstly my Vango one-woman tent, but also the beautiful houses of the spread-out communities making up Wupperthal... Kleinvlei, Langbome, Vaalheuning, Marthiensrus..

On Houses by Kahlil Gibran:

Build of your imaginings a bower in the wilderness ere you build a house within the city walls. For even as you have home-comings in your twilight, so has the wanderer in you, the ever distant and alone.Your house is your larger body. It grows in the sun and sleeps in the stillness of the night; and it is not dreamless. Does not your house dream? and dreaming,
leave the city for a grove or hill-top? Would that I could gather your houses into my hand, and like a sower scatter them in forest and meadow. Would the valleys were your streets, and the green paths your alleys, that you might seek one another through vineyards, and come with the fragrance of the earth in your garments. But tell me, people walking through Wupperthal, what have you in these houses? What is it you guard with fastened doors?
Have you peace? Have you rememberances? Have you beauty? Tell me, have you these in your houses? Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host, and then a master? Ay, and it becomes a tamer, and with hook and scourge makes
puppets of your larger desires. Verily the lust for comfort murders the passion of the soul,and then walks
grinning in the funeral.
But you, children of space, you restless
in rest, you shall not be trapped nor tamed. Your house shall be not an anchor but a mast. And though of magnificence
and splendour, your house shall not hold your secret nor shelter your longing.For that which is boundless in you abides in the mansion of the sky, whose door is the morning mist, and whose windows are the songs and the silences of night.


The dates for next year's Wupperthal66 hike is out:
09 – 13 April 2023
18 - 22 April 2023
27 – 31 August 2023
05 – 09 September 2023
Contact me at [email protected] if you'd like to join one of these trips. .

https://www.livethejourney.co.za/tour/wupperthal-cederberg-hike/

05/09/2022

SCHEDULED GROUP HIKE
Mont Rochelle Perdekop Queen Protea Hike
18 September 2022

♡ Conquer a peak and kiss a Queen ♡

Full-day 15.3 km hike in the mountains above Franschhoek, experiencing views across Wemmershoek Dam, Fynbos and conquering Perdekop (1575m ASL)

Mont Rochelle is a private nature reserve in the mountains above the well-known winelands town of Franschhoek. It forms part of the UNESCO-declared Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve and hosts magnificent fynbos species, including the very special Queen Protea (Protea Magnifica), which starts flowering in Spring.

The entrance to the reserve is situated on the Franschhoek pass, already at an elevation of about 700m above sea-level, (in comparison to the highest point on Table Mountain being 1083m), which must make this one of the most accessible ways to summit some of the high peaks in the Boland in the Western Cape of South Africa.

The reserve borders the CapeNature managed Hawequas Nature Reserve and Wemmershoek dam mountain catchment area, and the Uitkyk viewpoint offers probably the most dramatic view of mountain scenery - with majestic peaks, steep cliff faces and the dam in the distance - in the Boland.

This hike ascends the relatively steep ridgeline above Perdekloof across exquisite, dense fynbos fields to conquer Perdekop at 1575 m above sea level. The views across the Wemmershoek peaks and Stettynskloof dam are mind boggling. We continue towards the Uitkyk viewpoint as the drama in scenery increases, passing king and queen proteas.

Register now to join this truly spectacular 15.3km full-day hike in the mountains above Franschhoek on the 18th of September.

The cost to join this hike is R370 per person. This excludes access permits (day permit costs R70 and can be bought on the day at the gate, no cash), and includes a warm drink of choice. To register e-mail me at [email protected] or whatsapp 0825661788.

Numbers will be limited to 8. Mountain hiking fitness and experience is a requirement.

04/09/2022

... and some more from Namaqualand that I recognized from hiking in fynbos :-)

gladiolus
daisy
monkey beetle
trachiandra
nemesia (leeubekkie)
hermannia..

To join the 19 September 2022 Live the Journey
Namaqua flower and canyon experience, e-mail me now at [email protected] for details

04/09/2022

Pelargonium
Oxalis
Cyanella (Ladies Hands)
Gomohocarpus (Wild cotton)
Albuca
Babiana
Cancer bush
Indigofera
Bulbine
Kapokbush (Eriocephalus)...

If you didn't know any better, you would think I was hiking in fynbos, since all these genusses occur there too... but no, I was in faraway Namaqualand...!

How really amazed I was to meet well-known flower friends so far from home! .. to get first-hand understanding of the wide occurrence of fynbos genusses and get to see new species of the genusses that I see regularly on my fynbos hikes..

Isn't nature just incredible ♡♡♡♡♡





There are still a few open spots for the next Live the Journey
Namaqua Flower Canyon Experience starting 19 September 2022.

E-mail me now at [email protected] for details.

03/09/2022

The Live the Journey Namaqua Flower hike is SO MUCH more than just a flower hike, it really is a Namaqualand Flower and Canyon EXPERIENCE..

Hiking through the 'raw' Schaap River Canyon and Namaqualand Semi-desert turned to bouquet of flowers at this time of year, with like-minded people, turns stranger to friend in a mere 5 days...

Join us on the next trip starting 19 September. Still one or two spots available.

Check the website for costs and registration details

https://www.livethejourney.co.za/tour/namaqua-flower-hike/

01/09/2022

Day 2 of the Live the Journey Namaqua Flower hike...

I am really blown away by the incredible richness in biodiversity and variety of terrain.

There are still some spots available on the next trip 19 to 24 September.

Check the website for details, and e-mail me at [email protected] to register.

https://www.livethejourney.co.za/tour/namaqua-flower-hike/

31/08/2022

☆☆☆SCHEDULED GROUP HIKE☆☆☆

Mont Rochelle Franschhoek 18 September 2022

Full-day 15.3 km hike in the mountains above Franschhoek, experiencing views across Wemmershoek Dam, Exquisite fynbos and conquering Perdekop (1575m ASL).
R370 per person includes a warm drink of choice.

Mountain hiking fitness is a requirement.

Photos from August 2021

To register e-mail [email protected].

Numbers are limited to 8 persons.

31/08/2022

flowers
flowers
FLOWERS!!
☆♡♡♡♡☆

Join us on the next Live the Journey flower hike in September.

Costs and registration details on the website
https://www.livethejourney.co.za/tour/namaqua-flower-hike/

31/08/2022

flowers
flowers
FLOWERS!!!
☆♡♡♡☆

Live the Journey
Check the website for details and e-mail me at [email protected] to register.
https://www.livethejourney.co.za/tour/namaqua-flower-hike/

30/08/2022

What an incredibly special first day of the Namaqua Flower hike today... the veld is just so ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!

There are still one or two spots open on the next trip here 19 to 24 September.

Check the website for rates and registration details

https://www.livethejourney.co.za/tour/namaqua-flower-hike/

29/08/2022

So blessed to be on my way to Nigramoep, Northern Cape this morning with to guide a wonderful group of hikers through the Schaap Canyon - the Namaqua Flower Hike.

Photos from the hike that just finished there.

Promises to be yet another amazing adventure!

More information about future dates.for this hike here:
https://www.livethejourney.co.za/tour/namaqua-flower-hike/

28/08/2022

Upcoming SCHEDULED GROUP HIKES

- 18 September Mont Rochelle Perdekop
- 25 September Devil's Peak via Oppelskop
- 27 September Steenberg Silvermine
- 16 October Devil's Peak we return
- 30 October Jonkershoek Panorama trail

Details to follow, contact me at whatsapp 0825661788 or e-mail [email protected] if you'd like to join. Tarriffs start at R250 per person for half-day group hikes










photo from Mont Rochelle Aug'21, protea cynaroides in the snow overlooking Wemmershoek dam ♡

28/08/2022

What a joy leading such an enthusiastic and appreciative team up the mountain today! ♡♡♡
Thanks, Donne, Erin, Pieter and Sunette!

And The Mountain did not dissappoint!... so many incredible sights and sightings..

If you'd like to join any of my SCHEDULED GROUP HIKES, whatsapp me at 0825661788, or e-mail me at [email protected] for more information. A 6 hour group hike like we did today costs R300 per person and includes a warm drink of choice.

27/08/2022

SCHEDULED GROUP HIKE

We're heading up the Back Table in the morning to visit my favourite old tree :-), an ancient tree mimetes that has survived several fires.. ♡.. and several more of my favourite spots.

Thanks to everyone signing up, I hope you are going to love it as much as I do. ♡

If you'd like to join one of my scheduled group hikes or book a private guided hike, e-mail me at [email protected] or send me a whatsapp on 0825661788. For rates, check my website: https://www.santiegouwsmountainguide.co.za

26/08/2022

Fynbos on a rainy, early Spring morning on Devil's Peak today ♡♡♡

Contact me today on [email protected] to book your private guided hike up here. For tarrifs view my website at https://www.santiegouwsmountainguide.co.za

Alternatively e-mail me to join one of the SCHEDULED GROUP HIKES to Devil's peak - 25 September and 17 October, R250 per person.

26/08/2022

Devil's Peak this morning... moody as can be!

Contact me today on [email protected] to book your private guided hike up here. For tarrifs view my website at https://www.santiegouwsmountainguide.co.za

Alternatively e-mail me to join one of the SCHEDULED GROUP HIKES to Devil's peak - 25 September and 17 October, R250 per person.

25/08/2022

Namakwaland

Op die groot saaidag van die heelal
het reeds ’n entjie duskant Wupperthal
oor die kaal Noordweste
’n sakkie van die Heer se beste
saad per ongeluk gelek, gelek en uitgeval.

DJ Opperman (1914 – 1985)

On Monday starts the next adventure :-)..

flowers flowers flowers! ♡♡♡

kindly invited me to guide their Namaqualand Spring Flower hike through the Schaap River Canyon near Springbok, Northern Cape, South Africa.

These photos from last year's hike make my mouth water! ... not only for the beautiful flowers and canyon, but also the LTJ hospitality...

If you'd like to join future flower hikes with me and LTJ, check the website for dates and e-mail me at [email protected] for more information and to register.

https://www.livethejourney.co.za/tour/namaqua-flower-hike/

25/08/2022

I've forgotton how really BIG and IMPRESSIVE Table Mountain is...

Wonderful to be back home ♡♡♡

24/08/2022

A real treasure, this latest Weg-tydskrif Stapgids! It is focussed specifically on everything to do with hiking, with excellent trail descriptions and information about new and old hikes all around Southern Africa.

I am so fortunate in that I will be attending two of the featured hikes over the next two months
in a semi-guiding capacity to get to know the teams and routes... Wupperthal66 and Rim of Africa Traverse 2 into Koue Bokkeveld..

There is still space on the Wupperthal trail starting 6 September. Contact me via e-mail for more information at [email protected]

When The Mountain calls,... there is only one answer... ♡♡♡♡

Die Weg! Stapgids vir 2022 is nou te koop. Dié nuutste uitgawe het alles in wat ’n stapper moet weet – van inligting oor die epiese Rim of Africa-roete van 750 km tot ’n kindervriendelike oornagroete in Fernkloof, plus uitstekende toerusting en apps vir die buitelewe. Koop dit by jou winkel of aanlyn by die Media24 Winkel. Meer hier: https://bit.ly/3RNbRR3

24/08/2022

some more Karoo specials ♡♡♡

24/08/2022

The Cederberg is calling!! ... ♡♡♡

Contact me now at [email protected] to book your spot on this special culture/nature hike ♡

24/08/2022

On a road trip with my new wheels - Suzi, the Silver Bullet - through North West and the Northern Cape... from
Hopetown to
Britstown to
Victoria West to.....
☆☆☆♡ Cape Town!! ♡☆☆☆

I am in love with my beautiful country

24/08/2022

I think I've been seized... if not that, then definitely 'captivated' by NATURE ♡♡♡

On a road trip through the Karoo, I can't help but stop every 5 minutes, to smell the flowers.. ♡♧☆♧♡!!
.. driving up North on this same road 2 weeks ago, it was raining, yes really!, and there was a magnificent rainbow spanning across the land... now, the veldt is showing off!... A wonderful forebode for my next trip with , starting on Monday, leading a group of hikers through the Schaap Canyon near Springbok... CANNOT WAIT!!!

23/08/2022

A midweek SCHEDULED GROUP HIKE to Steenberg coming up on the 27th of September. Details to follow.

E-mail [email protected] for more information or to register. Costs are R250 per person for this moderate 4 to 5 hour, 7.6km hike and includes a warm drink at tea time.