Pinnacle Rock: 11 August – Cobham
Distance: 16.3km, Total ascent: 649m
Group: 6 hikers – Deon Small, Hettie Randall, Kevin Stoffberg, Sue van Malsen, Marlene Conradie, Beth Bester
Photographs: Deon Small, Hettie Randall, Kevin Stoffberg.
Leader: Deon Small
Reporter: Hettie Randall
We set off earlier this morning, knowing that we had a demanding path ahead of us. We had another beautiful sunny day as we strode out purposefully towards Giants Cup, which had better definition today after a hazy few days. We followed the Pholela River to the split with Emerald Stream, crossed over and continued up Emerald Stream through its wetland, which fortunately was dry underfoot but unfortunately, now a mat of sword grass!
As we started gaining altitude, we had two sightings of Eland families with very young calves on the opposite side of the valley and coming around a corner, Marlene, who has super keen eyesight! spotted a dassie family on the krantz above us! What a bumper day already!
We eventually came up over a particularly long and steep climb onto a plateau and there it was! Pinnacle Rock, what a brilliant name for this icon of the Cobham valley.
The art was on a rock face set off to the left of the Pinnacle. Still in good shape considering that it faces the elements. Lots of photos were taken! Another day of oohs and aahs to remember. Another opportunity to share the history of our southern berg.
We sat humbly in the shade of these enormous rocks and quietly ate our lunch, each in their own thoughts.
We later made our way back to Pholela, again seeing a pair of Eland on higher ground, very nice to experience game in the berg again!
Kevin and Sue stopped off for a swim in Emerald Stream! Yes, it’s true!!
Deon and I had to leave the group when we got back. Brian Henwood had very kindly stepped forward to help and would be leading a hike to Ngengwa Pool.
Thank you to all those hikers who supported this fixture, it was very rewarding. Hopefully we can do it again one day!