When our editor pauses, puts down the red pen and uses superlatives at machine-gun rate, then a person sits-up and listens. She is the cool and collected team member not prone to outbursts of emotion like her mate. As she likes to remind us, our favorite hike of all time is…at least ten hikes; our top ten comprise at least thirty, at last count. She makes a good point. On the trail today that reached over 4,000 feet into the sky, 16 kilometers return, strained countless muscles, wore out our boots but lifted the souls while filling our brains with images that will remain burned into our memories forever or at least, until next week, if we can remember.
Every now and again a person needs to express his or her feelings. Hike-about provides physical challenges that both literally and figuratively elevate one to soaring heights. We meet nationals from so many countries who each provide information, ideas, entertainment or distraction for a few minutes or much longer, at times. We see kindness, camaraderie, courage, strength and of course, negative stuff, too. When this is combined with survival in the bush or dealing with ‘civilization' when we reach towns and cities, doing some financial work, studying a little (never enough), davening (prayer), exercise and a few other activities, one wants, as Mannie Edelstein will tell you—carpe diem—to seize the day, seize the moment. In fact, if you think about it, that’s all we are certain of; the rest is out of our hands.
Jenni’s observation of the hike was poignant. At all times, one can see the commencement point, the peak, the lakes and surrounding mountains. At the peak, the view is 360 degrees. It is arguably one of the best hikes for visuals and beauty, most strenuous, including a finish either, on the safe path or the shortcut along a slippery steep edge. Our editor chose wisely, of course—the sandy edge. The complete hike is steep—over 1,600 feet elevation gain per hour. There is, however, a fringe benefit. Watching the behavior of the sheep as they deal with the perceived threat (us) and on the negative, avoiding the sheep manure—it comes at one fast and slippery. Observing the lambs nervously prance around the ewes is a treat.
On the Milford tramp we asked Cedric and Donald a few questions about animal husbandry. “How do you decide which sheep are due for slaughter?” ‘By weight.’
“How many ewes does a ram service?” About a hundred, we think they informed us. Wow! “What happens to remaining rams?” ‘We slaughter them.’ “Is that fair?” we wanted to know. A ram loses out with the ‘womenfolk’, which is a major punishment in itself. As a consolation, he becomes mutton. We’ll never think live is unfair again.
To any rugby enthusiast, we had quite an interesting experience a little way into our descent. A couple approached us, looking very weary, which was not surprising. The man was about 6’6”, the woman, petite. We joked that it was not unusual to be tired after 4,000 feet. “We underestimated the hike and are without nourishment and water,” said this big strapping guy. We gave them our water and peanuts, which creates for us, great joy. Who was the fellow? Peter Whiting, a former All Black lock forward who toured South Africa during the ‘seventies'. We spoke for a while and perhaps wrongly, turned down an invitation to join them for drinks later. As our editor is not a big beer drinker and wasn’t much of a rugby player either, we thought that was the correct decision—probably not.
Finally, we met and spoke a few times on the trail with four Israelis who have just completed their military service. They were all younger than our youngest, Robbie. Once again, it was a good experience to be in their company for a while and swop stories and suggestions for hiking in this beautiful country.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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