Go back to Lucifer.
Go back to South Africa.
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0360-199x300.jpg)
Du Toits Kloof Mountains.
Later that day, we drove to a trailhead in the Du Toits Kloof Mountains. The goal for the afternoon was to hike up to an alpine hut which would serve as the staging point for our next objective the following morning. Once again, Ross got some permits for us to access and park on private land. The hike, though mostly along a dirt mountain road, was scenic and largely painless. The views reminded us of the Dolomites and were nowhere close to any notion we might’ve had of South Africa. Our reward was a pretty and well maintained little hut (a generous donation to the Mountain Club of South Africa) with a stellar 360 degree alpine panorama and a killer swimming hole nearby. The only downside was a crowd of 6 hikers with whom we’d have to share the first night – nice, friendly folks though. Ross’s plan for the following morning smelled of an epic. Though the objective was clearly visible from the hut, the approach looked absolutely horrendous (bushwhack) and the descent seemed complex to say the least.
.
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0452-199x300.jpg)
Diamond hunting.
Photos
![Cape Town](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_3585-1024x768.jpg)
Amazing how much you can fit into a Corolla…including Shirley (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0258-1024x681.jpg)
A baboon (one of many) we saw on the drive. This one is posing against the backdrop of Paarl Rocks (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0271-1024x681.jpg)
Packing up at a trailhead in the Du Toits Kloof Mountains. Looks a little like the Italian Dolomites, no?
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0272-1024x681.jpg)
Preparing the precious cargo for the ~2 hour hike to the hut (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0277-1024x681.jpg)
The approach hike to the Agtertafelberg Hut starts out with a nice, juicy elevation loss of a few hundred meters (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0287-1024x681.jpg)
Our planned objective is somewhere in this photo. The green ground cover is not grass…a significant bushwhack was in the making (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0290-1024x681.jpg)
Final portion of the (scenic) hike to the Agtertafelberg Hut (owned by MCSA).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0304-1024x681.jpg)
Shirley crossing a cool little suspension bridge right before the hut (right side of photo; Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_8653-1024x683.jpg)
Shirley ready for a nice fat pour of Pinotage. Photo by Ross (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0309-1024x681.jpg)
The bridge (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0321-1024x681.jpg)
Shirley and Ross at the Agtertafelberg Hut. Cooking dinner and generally prepping for the following day’s fun (epic).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0314-1024x681.jpg)
Shirley enjoying the ambiance of the hut with a mug of fine South African Pinotage (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0348-1024x681.jpg)
Late the following morning, a intermittent break in the clouds. Summits would not clear till about 11am (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0323-1024x681.jpg)
The beautiful Agtertafelberg Hut in the Du Toits Kloof Mountains (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0376-1024x681.jpg)
The Elands River flowing just below the hut with its inviting swimming pools (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0360-681x1024.jpg)
The multi-scale beauty of the Du Toits Kloof Mountains (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0344-1024x681.jpg)
Shirley enjoying the second breakfast after we decided not to go for our objective (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0335-1024x681.jpg)
Filling up the hut’s water jugs in the morning (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0328-681x1024.jpg)
Did I mention that Ross’s knowledge of local flora is extensive to say the least? He’s also an avid orchid “hunter”. Here’s one beauty Ross had found near the Agtertafelberg Hut (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0387-1024x681.jpg)
Views from early on in our hike up Winterberg (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0389-681x1024.jpg)
Pretty stunning – another flavor of protea (Dec. 2017)?
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0390-1024x681.jpg)
Subtle beauty (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0428-1024x681.jpg)
Mostly a gentle uphill hike (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0405-1024x681.jpg)
Views abounded – both large and small (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0407-1024x681.jpg)
Erosive forces at work on the area sandstone (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0411-681x1024.jpg)
Du Toits Kloof Mountains (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0416-1024x681.jpg)
Another species of orchid (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0443-1024x681.jpg)
Shirley checking out a protea (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0447-1024x681.jpg)
A beautiful protea (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_8819-1024x683.jpg)
A lunch break during our hike up to Winterberg’s summit. Photo by Ross (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0436-1024x681.jpg)
More proteas (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0439-1024x681.jpg)
More views from the hike up Winterberg (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0462-681x1024.jpg)
Pretty, pretty (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_3587-1024x768.jpg)
Union break (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0452-681x1024.jpg)
Blood diamonds (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0470-1024x681.jpg)
More stunning proteas (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0460-1024x681.jpg)
Views from the summit of Winterberg (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0458-1024x681.jpg)
Shirley on the summit of Winterberg Peak (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0465-1024x681.jpg)
Views were well worth the 3ish hour hike (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_8888-1024x683.jpg)
Almost back at the hut. Photo by Ross (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0477-1024x681.jpg)
Dolomites (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0482-1024x681.jpg)
The hut and the swimming holes below (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0492-681x1024.jpg)
Heading down to the water hole for a refreshing dip. Ross is five steps ahead (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0488-1024x681.jpg)
Ross enjoying the natural pool. The color of the water is due to plant root tannins (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0501-1024x681.jpg)
Shirley’s turn (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0507-1024x681.jpg)
Our companion at the swimming hole (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0515-1024x681.jpg)
Relaxing in the hut (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0514-1024x681.jpg)
Careful with those baboons (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0526-1024x681.jpg)
In the afternoon, a smoke cloud suddenly appeared over the peaks (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0530-1024x681.jpg)
Hiking out the next morning (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0534-1024x681.jpg)
What comes down must go back up…the uphill stretch right before the car (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0537-1024x681.jpg)
Scoping out the climbing areas on the menu for after Christmas. This is looking up at the Yellowwood Amphitheater. Some wildfires have been burning (Dec. 2017).
![Du Toits Kloof Mountains](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0539-1024x681.jpg)
Checking out the wildfires in progress (Dec. 2017).
Go to Cape Peninsula.
Go back to South Africa.