While visiting George for some work, I decided to make a trip to the infamous pass called "Die Hel". It has been a good few years since I've last been down there, so it was time for a re-visit.
My solo trip started in George where I drove through Montagu Pass towards Oudtshoorn. It was not long until I reached Swartberg Pass. After a long climb, I made it to the top where it felt like I was going to turn into an icicle!
Onwards I pushed and soon reached the start of the road to Hel. You read a sign warning you of the dangerous 48km's of road ahead, estimated to take 2 hours to complete. weaving through the Swartberg mountain range, the road seems never-ending. Finally, you reach the pinnacle of this road, the steep descent into the valley below. I slowly crawled my way down the narrow and rocky pass to the safety of the campsite below. I forgot how long and treacherous the road is, needing your full attention all the way down.
Two years ago a fire swept through the valley, destroying everything in its path. The lack of vegetation along with heavy rains, causes the soil to wash away, forming wash-outs and leaving exposed rocks along the path. It is not too severe, however, it does reduce your travel speed.
I enjoyed my solo camp in the Gamkaskloof Valley for the night, before heading off to the next location. After ascending 'Die Hel" and finishing Swartberg Pass, I headed to a private campsite near Leeu-Gamka. This campsite location will stay disclosed. I arrived at the rustic campsite, set up camp and headed off into the bushveld for a quick sunset cruise.
As the sun set over the Karoo landscape, lighting up the Karoo grass, I found a family of Giraffes grazing. I grabbed my camera and started photographing them as the curious Giraffes closed in to see what I was doing. The sun set behind the horizon and I enjoyed the last minutes of sunlight, taking in the breathtaking moments of the orange sky as the gentle giants were grazing around me. A Karoo sunset which I will not easily forget.
I headed back to camp, cooked myself a meal and called it a night. My last stop on the trip was in Touwsrivier at Kroonstad Padstal. They serve the best roosterkoek and I can simply not pass there without grabbing one. There is no better way to end a trip!
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