Sonnie Vermaak
TABLE Mountain is one of the oldest mountains in the world, 240 million years old. The popular tourist attraction is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and an important World Heritage Site because of its unique flora and fauna.
Yet, if you want to know the real secret of this colossal and iconic, natural Cape Town feature, go on a mountain hike with Kevin Carter (61), or one of the other experienced hikers from his hiking club, The Meridian Hiking Club.
Carter’s love affair with the mountain started during childhood in Rondebosch.
“In those days, long before the existence of The Uber, my friends and I hiked across the mountain to get to the beaches on the other side,” he recalls with a laugh. “We would often sleep on the mountain too”.
In 1988, Carter and a group of friends founded a hiking club, which exists to this day. They still regularly take groups on hikes up Table Mountain.
“There’s more to it than walking among the tall trees in the forest and seeing pretty streams and cascading waterfalls,” he says seriously. To him, the mountain holds the power of renewal.
“I’ve seen how it burns. And grows back. To me, that is awe-inspiring too.”
Carter observes that this power of renewal is not exclusive to plant life.
“We’ve come through a lot in recent times,” he says. “Many of us have lost jobs, loved ones and possessions”. He explains that a special kinship develops among the hikers in a hiking group and that this bond, in itself, is psychologically healthy. Yet, it is but one of the spin-offs.
As one ascends the mountain, without even realising it, one slowly leaves the stress and problems down below, gently surrendering to nature.
Once one has gained a bit of height, spectacular views of the city, harbour and sprawling suburbs take your breath away.
Higher still, one finds oneself in a space that is too vast to describe. “You are under a very wide and high sky and above a deep, deep, huge ocean”.
In every direction, there is beauty; cityscapes, landscapes and endless mountain views. Of course, the close-up beauty right in front of the hiker’s shoe is ever-present; lichens on a rock face, a shallow, cobbled stream or fynbos.
“At present, the flowers line almost every footpath,” says Carter about the abundant spring floral spectacle.
Hiking with Carter or other experienced hikers from the club is a safe option, Carter assures us.
“In our club, we always hike in groups. The leader always knows the way. Experienced hikers at the tail end follow the pace of the slowest hiker. So, we make sure that our hikers need not worry about safety.”
In Carter's estimation, a hike on the mountain is as good if not better than a session on the psychologist's coach.
He holds the opinion that modern and sedentary lifestyles make people sick -- physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
“What are you doing with your spare time?” he asks. “Sitting on a couch? Watching television? Engaged with an electronic device? Sitting in a pub?”
Nature is the ultimate healer. Certainly, this holds true for hiking on Table Mountain, he believes.
Carter dismisses the myth that hiking on the mountain is just for certain people. “It is recommended for almost everyone.” He explains that the hiking club offers hikes for beginners as well as for advanced hikers.
The power of Table Mountain is yours to discover. There is a caveat though. You have to get off your behind, show up at the departure point of the hike, join the hiking group and discover it for yourself.
Check out The Meridian Hiking Club on Facebook or on their website www.meridian.hiking.org.za