Table Mountain : Mountain Guides

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is Cape Town's pride and one of the World's 7 Natural Wonders. Not many cities in the world can compete with a natural feature as well-known as that of Cape Town with Table Mountain as a backdrop. Hoerikwaggo, the Khoisan name meaning “mountain in the sea” is just as suitable as the name we know today. With a level plateau of approximately 3 km from side to side, a table is depicted and together with Lion’s Head to the West and Devil’s Peak to the East, the City Bowl is lying in a natural amphitheatre, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. At approximately 550 million years old, Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains in the world and 6 times older than the Himalayas. The vegetation on Table Mountain is unique. An estimated 2285 plant species are confined to Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula range, of which a great proportion are endemic to these mountains and therefore cannot be found anywhere else. In a mere 57 square km area surrounding Table Mountain, more plant species can be found than in the entire United Kingdom. Table Mountain is also home to a variety of mammals, snakes, lizards, amphibian, tortoises and birds. The dassies are happy inhabitants of Table Mountain and can usually be seen sunbathing on the rocks, aware not to become a bird's prey. While the orange-breasted sunbirds drink nectare from Proteas or Ericas, the blue-headed agamas jump from rock to rock, also in search for some sun. On very rare occasions, the Himalayan Tahrs make their appearance. The interesting creatures that call Table Mountain home, make every hike memorable. With an endless variety of trails to choose from, Table Mountain is a hiker's paradise, but it should never be underestimated. The trails vary in difficulty and exposure. Come hike with Like2Hike and learn more about this magical mountain in the sea.

Who are the mountain guides?

Living at the foot of Table Mountain, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, is living a dream. Between the two of us, we have been exploring Table Mountain for more than three decades. To keep our bodies physically fit and mentally healthy, we use this phenomenal playground to regularly exercise. Going up Table Mountain doesn't get old or boring. Every day holds different beauty. Different light, different cloud and different life on different trails, during different seasons. Our holidays are planned around nature and adventure and since we find it hard to sit still, it usually involves locations with mountains. We have hiked throughout South-Africa, slept in tents, caves, under the stars and in remote areas. Drakensberg, Cederberg, Overberg, Outeniqua Mountain and the Blyderiver Canyon are but a few to mention. We haven't seen a soul for days on several occasions and keep planning our next hiking trips to such locations within our beloved South Africa. Arangieskop is on our bucket list and the moment we do that, our social media will report all about it! There are icons for Instagram and Facebook below. Just click on the follow and like buttons. In 2017 we climbed the highest peak in the Indian Ocean - Piton des Neiges (Snow Peak). Christoph can also add the highest peak in Germany - Zugspitze - to his list. Our most recent excitement in 2019, was hiking in the Alps. In Germany, in Berchtesgaden, we hiked to the Blaueisgletscher (blue ice glacier) and the Eiskapelle, another glacier. We also experienced the beauty of entering two wet gorges, in Germany known as a "Klamm". In Switzerland, around Châtel Saint Denis, we got to know the Moleson and Teysachaux and the hills around it. With the guiding training we got from Venture Forth and the Adventure Qualifications Network, as well as the first aid training from Wild-Medix, we are CATHSSETA qualified guides and registered with the Department of Tourism to act as your legal guides. Our training included everything we need to know to keep us and others safe and to deal with difficult situations. As trilingual guides (we speak German, Afrikaans and English), we combine our training and mountain experience as well as our knowledge of the area to create a rewarding experience for those who want to explore Table Mountain safely and - depending on the chosen route - mainly off the beaten track.