Hangklip is a 6 pointer outside Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. As the highest peak in the area, you can spot Hangklip from many places around Queenstown, but it was only in Queenstown that Mandy (ZS2AV) pointed it out to Hennie and myself.
“Are we mad? ” was the question struck across our faces.
Mandy contacted the farmer on who’s land the little bump existed and we were given directions.
We left Queenstown on a gravel road filled with gates, pot holes, and some splendid scenery. After some time we arrived on the farm. It is conveniently located at the end of the road.
Hospitable is an understatement! We were expecting to camp in tents on the lawn but were invited in to sleep in the house – and supper was on the cards too! A quick trip to the foot of the mountain was injected full of bits of “tour guide” information about forts from the Xhosa wars and lookouts for the Queenstown airport and so much more.
We had a look at the climb and decided it was not only do-able, but that it was going to be easy. Back to the house for a good nights sleep.
The early morning start had us all energized. Getting to the foot of the mountain again was easy – we just followed the tracks and recalled our guided tour from the previous evening. We parked the Jimny in mist and tried to find our way to the foot of the mountain from the tracks. Well the mist had us lost and disorientated for a while, but the start of the climb put us firmly in our place!
What can I tell you about the climb? It is a lot of hard work with several (ok, a lot of) breaks. In fact, climbing like this is a lot like Jazz – its not the notes (or climbs) it is the rests in between that make it truly worth the effort. To stop and catch your breath while looking at breath-taking scenery is hard to comprehend isn’t it?
We climbed following the fence up about two thirds of the way. Here there are some waterholes where English soldiers carved their names. We decided to look at them on the way down – which proved to be a mistake!
At the “three big rocks” we turned left and bolder hopped over the rocks to the top.
Now most summits I’ve been on have a rather small area – the proverbial “top of the mountain” but Hangklip is more like a soccer field on top. We made our way over to the repeater tower and trig beacon which we assumed would have been the highest point.
Here we set up the radio and chatted to a bunch of really nice people!
Just to explain our rather strange behavior while operating on the “nets”, let me point out that we use a single radio and so the operator is always changing. So when ZS2ABZ (the usual task master) gives out an order of xx then hand it to yy and then on to zz, we get lost completely. It’s not that we are ignoring you or not listening to Uncle Bill, we just get confused.
The walk down got us in the sun and we all had a little more “tan” by the time we reached the bottom. Near where we had parked the Jimny were some strange buildings (see pics below) but of course now the mist had lifted, so we had a look.
Mandy and I decided that we had not yet had enough exercise and decided to walk back to the farm house rather than take the ride in the back of the Jimny.
Hardly had we arrived back at the farm house when the farmer wanted to feed us! It was like growing up in my parents home: You look hungry – have some food.
Skillfully we avoided lunch without appearing rude, but we did have to get on the road. This is one we will do again!
Some strange rock building
Hangklip
Still alive and at the top of Hangklip