11.10 Zipping around the Karkloof Forests outside Howick followed by a hike to the falls

Jenni's big sister, Hilary, a wonderful woman, undertook a zip-line adventure with husband, Ernie Saks recently (For the record, Ernie too, is a good man, phew, nearly missed that one). Little sisters, being what they are, don't like to be outdone by siblings it appears, to a somewhat neutral observer. We paused to think we are talking about women who are obviously older than er...40, well just older. Seems strange what young women get up to these days. Anyway, not to be outdone, we set off for a canopy experience above the Karkloof Nature Reserve, situate outside the village of Howick, in Kwa-Zulu Natal. We lodged in the area for two nights and are disappointed we could not make a third, having dislodged to move to the Drakensberg.

Jenni and Ernest share a joke as 'Jane' comes up short


Jenni uses 'monkey' tactics to recapture the platform


Off like a rocket between and above tree tops

Many people, as our editor reminded us, have been on a zip-line. We took this to mean that we should not think we are anything special. We wanted to tell her many people hike, too—it is not a unique experience. However, who wants to get into an argument. Nevertheless, it was quite a day.

There are eight platforms linked by metal cables above the canopy of the forest. The zipper, for want of a better term, travels between platforms hooked to the cable above but propelled by gravity. The top speed reached, should one not use a brake, which is nothing more than pulling down on the cable with a gloved hand, is about 80 kilometers per hour. Wow! At times, a person feels like a blur. The excitement builds as one jumps off the platform; greater excitement and exhilaration occurs careening towards the supporting tree at the receiving platform. With forty-to-fifty feet to go, at top speed and no control unless using the brake, what will stop one before hitting that tree at high speed? After all, the tree huggers would be most upset should one splatter oneself against a trunk and damage it. We did not use the brake, rather relying on the built-in-safety system—it’s like a game of ‘chicken’. What an experience! By the time we reached the seventh platform, our nerves were a little on edge as the great unknown as to whether one will stop before reaching the solid tree trunk in front begins to fray at the edges.

We hope that Hilary is not intending to parachute or worse, out of a plane although the thought might be of interest. Bungy-jumping is not a good idea, Hil. Please!


Karkloof Falls, a drop of about 350 feet


On the way in with no idea how to stop


The approach to the platform—a heavy prayer area

We sat outside a laundry in Champagne Valley today as we waited for the washing machine to do its thing with our clothes. Watching the few people interact with each other, especially the kids of different race groups, was fascinating. The whole experience, particularly as we usually live in western orientated places, made us feel in a different space, a different world. As someone once said, you can learn a lot by watching—very relaxing, too.


A shortish hike in a great wilderness on our own, surrounded by forests and timber plantations

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey


Pausing at tree to avoid injury before continuing


Trying to separate the wood from the trees on the hike or are we in Oregon again?


As a baseball umpire might call: "Safe"