Hex River Traverse

Hi all

Does anyone have GPS data for routes in and around the Hex River mountains in the Western Cape?

We are trying to piece together a two-day weekend hike. Looking for GPS data or even maps etc.

Thank you

G

Are you the guy who went up Ben Thomas the other day as part of a recce for this? Just wondering As I paddled with Johnny Heatlie on Sunday and he said he took someone up their mountain recently.

AdrianT wrote: Are you the guy who went up Ben Thomas the other day as part of a recce for this? Just wondering As I paddled with Johnny Heatlie on Sunday and he said he took someone up their mountain recently.

Nope, not me. We have attempted Matroosberg from De Doorns side and made it 70 percent up...but now a trip in the Waaihoek area us on the cards. We were suggested to park at Fairy Glen game farm, sleep at Thomas Hut night 1 and around Pells hut night 2. But need more info..

Ok well if you want permission to get in and hike Ben Thomas and the surrounds let me know. From there you could also traverse and go as far as you wish I guess. And at least you have a safe place to leave your car.

I think elevation gain for that peak is 963m according to my old Suunto. It is the lowest of a series of peaks. When you leave Worcester, as soon as the Hex River goes under the N1, their farm on the left hand side.

Location of Ben Thomas:


More photos from a solo hike I did where I slept at the top, and another with Johnny that got down to 3 degrees before we went to bed with a stiff 35 knot wind. Spectacular area.

Just to add: there are no hiking trails here, and not either to the summit of Ben Thomas. You would want to wear long pants as that fynbos is not so fyn

AdrianT wrote: Ok well if you want permission to get in and hike Ben Thomas and the surrounds let me know. From there you could also traverse and go as far as you wish I guess. And at least you have a safe place to leave your car.

I think elevation gain for that peak is 963m according to my old Suunto. It is the lowest of a series of peaks. When you leave Worcester, as soon as the Hex River goes under the N1, their farm on the left hand side.

Location of Ben Thomas:


More photos from a solo hike I did where I slept at the top, and another with Johnny that got down to 3 degrees before we went to bed with a stiff 35 knot wind. Spectacular area.

Thanks Adrian, this sounds like an epic adventure and is definitely an option (if not next weekend). The problem with piecing together an own traverse is those mountains are unrelenting - very easy to lose a few hours amongst those neverending ridges!

A brilliant traverse in the Hex is the Thomas Hut - Perry Refuge - Pells Hut Traverse. I don't have maps handy right now, but you'll need to contact the MCSA for access to Thomas Hut and surrounds and possibly the UCT MSC for access to the Pells Hut side and descent on their Zuurberg property.

This is a spectacular traverse with intricate route finding - really feels like a proper mountain wilderness. I'd recommend 2.5 - 3 days to get the most value though.

Will post some pics when I have more time later.

Stijn wrote: A brilliant traverse in the Hex is the Thomas Hut - Perry Refuge - Pells Hut Traverse. I don't have maps handy right now, but you'll need to contact the MCSA for access to Thomas Hut and surrounds and possibly the UCT MSC for access to the Pells Hut side and descent on their Zuurberg property.

This is a spectacular traverse with intricate route finding - really feels like a proper mountain wilderness. I'd recommend 2.5 - 3 days to get the most value though.

Will post some pics when I have more time later.

Thanks Stijn, this is the exact route we are trying to piece together. A friend of mine (Paddy Chapple - you had email correspondence with him?) is a MCSA and Mountain Rescue member and got the suggestion, permissions etc. Do you know if Slingsby makes maps for this area? Will ask Paddy to enquire with his contacts

@Adrian - for future reference - see below the pic of Matroosberg hike from De Doorns side. Its an impressive 1750m ascent from start to the top (we attempted it once and had to turn around after 5 hours due to getting lost, didnt make it all the way). Also the blurb showing farmer's contact details: www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Matroosberg

The farmer is a mountaineer himself - and set a very impressive record of under 2 hours from bottom to top. He sends his two dogs with you (they know the way) if you give him notice (we didnt have the dogs but will require their services on our follow-up attempt). There is a cave at around 2000m where one could overnight.

(Edit - Now I must revert my attention to work and stop daydreaming about high peaks and impenetrable ridges)

As promised, I've attached a detailed topo map of the Western section of the Hex River Mountains. 2nd map has the approximate route marked in.*
The difficult bit with intricate route-finding is from the summit of Fonteintjiesberg all the way across to the summit of Mt Brodie. Only attempt this section in good weather..

*disclaimer - it's been 12 years so my memory may be a bit vague in places!