Table Mountain is very steep. You start
by climbing steps, but the steps are made from boulders. They're
steep enough that you are exhausted after 3 or 4 but not steep enough
to warrant climbing!
Once we were almost down, we started to
think about climbing Lion's Head, the mountain/hill next to Table
Mountain because we'd been told to do that one first as it's slightly
easier. We could see some of the path from where we were and it
didn't look to steep and most importantly it wasn't steps!
So we got a taxi to the base of Lion's
Head. The path was considerably steeper than we thought it was but we
took lots of breaks and it was definitely easier than TM. But then
occasionally we found ourselves taking big boulder steps, but it's OK
because the ground is less steep now so you just have to watch your
feet because it's getting rocky. Then we come upon The Chains. This
is part of the route that is optional (2 of us did it and the other
one walked/climbed the other route) I've attached a picture of me
about to start it, but it's just a wall with some metal pegs and
chains nailed into it to help you pull yourself up! It was difficult
mainly just because my legs are short and there were a couple of
times I thought I wasn't able to reach and if you look down, you can
see almost straight down a very steep mountain! But I did it!
From that point on you are basically
rock climbing. It isn't straight up, but you have to pull yourself up
in some parts!. But we all made it up and down and I was very proud
of us. And we went to 'Mr Pick-Wicks' for a milkshake to celebrate!
And I only just realised that it's
bonfire night tonight...I've been trying to explain the history of it
to the other volunteers who aren't English and they don't get it. But
it makes a good story so I might tell it to the kids in my house!
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