Getting Up on the Table, Cape Town, South Africa

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Michelle on the India Venster Trail

Lee on the climb

On our last day in Cape Town, the weather Gods came through, and we woke up to nothing but blue skies!!  Another good-bye into our books, as we bid farewell to our fantastic hosts Lionel and Elmara - thanks so much for letting us base ourselves at your fabulous place, we really enjoyed our time with you both.
We took all our gear to Lee's apartment in Sea Point (see Lee from Swaziland), as he graciously agreed to let us sleep on the floor before we meet our overland group on the Saturday.  We were also lucky, as Lee had the day off and was keen to climb Table Mountain and 'guide' us up one of the less traveled routes.






We tackled the India Venster trail, which zig-zags up the mountain pretty much directly underneath the cable car.

Scrambling up the trail

It is not an easy climb, as it's pretty much STRAIGHT UP!!  This was a more interesting route than the well traveled Platteklip Gorge, and it even had some tougher scrambles with chains provided.  The scenery was amazing, looking over the city and ocean, with peaks popping out in different directions.  The route circled around the point, and south of the cable car - we had people calling out to us from the cable car on the steep stuff!! There is actually an abseil/rappel from an overhang at the top, which would pretty nuts considering the height you are at over the city.  We walked beneath the site, but no one was screaming their way down.
It is quite amazing how flat it actually IS on top.  After a long hike up, with very few people, we were suddenly inundated with tourists all over the place, having taken the cable car up.  We climbed out onto a ledge for views over the city and beaches for lunch, only to be told we weren't allowed!!  We were in far more dangerous spots on the way up!!!

Michelle and Lee overlooking Camps Bay for lunch

After a brief stay on top, we started the descent, and I have to say......this was so much more difficult than the climb up.  It was steep steps all the way down the Platteklip Gorge, and our knees ached tremendously.  We will be sore for a few days after this.  We hitched a ride to town with a nice Swedish girl, as Lee had to pick up his wife on the motorcycle, but he made it back in time for us to treat him to a delicious Eastern Food Bazaar dinner - our last of our stay in Cape Town.  We'll miss that place, and couldn't think of a better way to thank Lee for his 'guiding' - as he loves EFB as much as we do!!!  *Stub

On the Table just above Cape Town