skeleton gorge & nursery ravine

Two weekends ago we decided to kick our hiking up a notch and tackle Table Mountain. We were looking for a leg intensive route, so we arrived at Kirstenbosch Botantical Gardens (the starting point) in the early morning hours and went up Skeleton Gorge and down Nursery Ravine. I think my knees have almost forgiven me...almost.

The dotted line traces our route.

This hike was really intense- a very steep ascent over rocks and using ladders. And steps. Lots and lots of steps.

Becky going up.

Brendan down below.

A stop for water (don't worry, it isn't horribly dirty water, just brown from the tannins in the fynbos).

Nearly at the summit.

Once we reached the top, we lengthened our time on a flat contour by walking to one of the reservoirs on the top of Table Mountain. It is incredibly surreal to climb a mountain and then cross a sand dune and arrive at a small beach.

The rocks are a stark gray-white and very pitted giving everything a distinctly lunar feel.

Then we looped back around, went down Nursery Ravine, and I whimpered back to the car. I think I might only be tempted to do this walk again sometime between January and March when the king proteas are out in full force on Nursery Ravine. But then again, maybe I'll just enjoy the proteas in the botanical garden and call it a day!