Table Mountain, Cape Town

by site editor Rick McCharles

There are at least 30 ways up Table Mountain, one of the world’s new “seven wonders of nature“. My first visit, I took the most popular, via Platteklip Gorge.

Arriving at the Lower Cable Station, I was shocked at the long line-ups.

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There was no way I was going to wait for the cable car with that mob.

Having arrived on the hop-on, hop-off City Tour bus, I needed to walk 1.5km on Tafelberg Road to one of the Platteklip trailheads.

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On a fine day like this, the views back over Cape Town are amazing.

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Here’s the crux, Platteklip Gorge.

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No problem on a nice day.

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Hikers and climbers die here every year, however. But not normally on the Platteklip Gorge route.

The flat top mountain is great for exploring. Most of the horde stay close to the Upper Cable Car station.

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I looked for unique species. … Most every species was new to me.

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The geology is special too.

cliff view

Finding a small commemorative crucifix, I left a Summit Stone in the same spot.

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This is the top of one of the world’s longest commercial rappels. Read some reviews.

rapel

Instead I paid about 100 Rand ($12) to take the cable car down.

cable car

See more of my photos from this fantastic day hike.

Next time to Cape Town I’ll do one of the longer routes. Perhaps the new guided 5-day Hoerikwaggo Trail from Table Mountain to Cape Point.

Rick Table Mountain

climbing Mt Cameroon

camerounWest Africa’s highest mountain.

Mount Cameroon is an active volcano in Cameroon near the Gulf of Guinea. Mount Cameroon is also known as Cameroon Mountain or Fako (the name of the higher of its two peaks) or by its native name Mongo ma Ndemi (“Mountain of Greatness”).

… The most recent eruptions occurred on February 3rd, 2012.

Mount Cameroon is one of Africa’s largest volcanoes, rising to 4,040 metres (13,255 ft) above the coast of west Cameroon. It rises from the coast through tropical rainforest to a bare summit which is cold, windy, and occasionally brushed with snow. …

There are several trails on the mountain. The oldest and steepest trail is the Guinness Trail. … Porters and guides are compulsory on this 2-3 day trek. Basic huts and camps can be found on the main trails. …

Go Africa

trip report from 2010

summit cloud

related – Mount Cameroon Race of Hope

Trekking around MANASLU

Timing is perfect.

A new guidebook for the start of the Himalayan hiking and climbing Spring season.

Himalayan Map House is delighted to announce the publication of a new trekking guide to the Manaslu & Tsum Valley region – the fastest growing trekking destination in Nepal.

… Manaslu and the Tsum Valley are rapidly becoming the new trekking destination for both experienced and novice trekkers. As if these two treks were not enough to savour, the book also introduces new treks in the Lower Manaslu area around historic Gorkha, as far north as the Rupina La route. Also within the book are some fledgling routes below little-known Ganesh Himal, including the Ruby Valley.

It may not have the aura of Everest or Annapurna, but the majestic mountain of Manaslu (8163m) has a remote charm that calls on all trekkers to discover the undiscovered. Lush forests, terraced hillsides, mysterious canyons, gargantuan summits and Buddhist culture are enticing. For so long beyond the horizon, the Tsum Valley is astonishing and secretive. Hilltop monasteries, traditional villages,

colourful people, enigmatic yaks and hundreds of mani walls, chortens and kani gates add to the compulsive blend.

guidebook

That’s where I’m headed next trip to Nepal.

Annapurna Circuit and Nepal

Great edit.

A glimpse into a wonderful 5 week adventure.

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

Check our ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT information page.

Be warned the trek has been degraded in recent years by road building. If that bothers you, head for one of the many good Himalayan alternatives.

(via Adventure Blog)

Nepal – Machhapuchhre trek

Most days I’d list ol’ Fishtail 6,993 m (22,943 ft) as my favorite mountain in the World.

Machapuchare or Machhapuchhre (माछापुछ्रे) Lit. “Fish Tail” in English, is a mountain in the Annapurna Himal of north central Nepal. It is revered by the local population as particularly sacred to the god Shiva, and hence is off limits to climbing. …

It’s easily seen from Pokara.

Fishtail Luc

fishtail

Here’s a 15 day lower elevation guided Himalaya Trek called Machhapuchhre Model Trek. Looks a lot easier than most in Nepal. And much safer vis-a-vis risk of altitude sickness.

TORRES DEL PAINE – photo trip report

Keiko and Dave trekked Chile’s famed W from west to east.

Fantastic pics. Plenty of FOOD. 🙂

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

See the rest on the full trip reportMini Guide for 5 days in TORRES DEL PAINE – CHILE – W trail

related – our Torres del Paine information page

Check a new book – Patagonia Chronicle: On Foot in Torres del Paine by Susan Alcorn.

Moonrise over Manaslu

2012 World Open of Photography Finalists

Moonrise over Manaslu – 45-minute exposure of Manaslu, the Earth’s 8th highest peak, in Nepal, the rotation of the Earth turning starlight into arcs. The onset of moonrise at the end of the exposure illuminates the mountain from the southeast.

Moonrise

click through to see a larger, high resolution version.

I want to climb the 300ft spiral staircase

The 300ft spiral staircase has been installed on the wall of the Taihang Mountains in Linzhou to offer the thrill of mountaineering without the danger.

But senior climbers beware – you have to be under 60 to be allowed on the staircase.

Daily Mail

http-::www.flickr.com:photos:25183035@N03:8143830146:

Thanks Sherry.