Great hiking literature

Western Cape, South Africa

Contents

Table Mountain maps | Magazines | Hiking books

Table Mountain Maps

The definitive map is the 1:20000 Table Mountain map from the 5-map Cape Peninsula National Park series by Peter Slingsby (2003) - see www.themaps.co.za. Edition 7.1 is available and it's a very detailed and beautiful map, with every last boulder and gully marked, endorsed by the National Park and paths approved by the Mountain Club. Also known as "Ziggy" maps, Peter Slingsby's Table Mountain maps have been in print since 1972 (I've got the 1974 2nd edition), and it sure is nice to see them back in circulation, updated and improved. In the same series are a number of Cape Peninsula hiking maps and Western Cape touring maps.

For Table Mountain there are also two lesser maps that I know of - Shirley Brossey's map, and the Mountain Club of SA's "Approved Paths on Table Mountain" (1993) at 1:12500 scale, which both leave out most of the more exciting routes. Great for keeping the public where the Mountain Club wants them - safely on the ground and out of the newspapers.

A good place for second hand maps (and older hiking books) is the Cafda Bookshop in Werdmuller Centre, Main Road, Claremont. They're tucked away in the bottom of the building, and the maps are tucked away behind the counter and in a courtyard out the back. You can pick up a few gems here if you make the effort.

Magazines

A really beautiful magazine is AFRICA - Environment & Wildlife, with excellent production and stunning photography. You'll want to collect this one.

Hiking Books

New hiking books keep coming out, but these are the main items in my library:

• The most comprehensive national hiking book I know of is Jaynee Leyvee's "Complete Guide to Walks and Trails in SA" (1987).
• Mike Lundy's "Weekend Trails in the Western Cape" is excellent (and in at least its 6th edition by 2004)
• David Bristow's book "Western Cape Walks" (1991) is one of my favourites.
• Shirley Brossey's "Guide to the Hout Bay and Simonstown Mountains" (1989) is the only one I know of, although Peter Slingsby has now brought out an excellent map of the area.
• Tony Lourens' book "Classic Table Mountain Routes" (1998) revives interest in many of the hikes from the old Mountain Club guides, and adds rock climing routes ranging from easy to insanely difficult. It's a must for a serious Table Mountain hiker, but many of the routes are too difficult for an inexperienced party. Never underestimate Table Mountain.
• Karen Watkins' "Adventure Walks and Scrambles in the Cape Peninsula" (2003) is also aimed at hikers looking for the more exotic and adventurous routes.
• The "Table Mountain Guide" from the Mountain Club of SA is excellent although now out of print. My edition is from 1967 but it was reprinted in about 1980.
• Peter Slingsby and Ed Coombe's "Beyond the Cederberg" isn't a hiking book, but it covers the fascinating Agter-Pakhuis/Biedouw/Wupperhal area which some hikers will know.
• PM Leary's "Don't Die in the Bush" (1997) is a survival handbook by a local author, with an emphasis on 1st Aid in the outdoors.
• Jose Burman is always good for an anecdote on the trail. Two that I own are"Cape Trails and Wilderness Areas" (1987) and "The Table Mountain Book" (1991), but there are many more.
• Colin Paterson-Jones' "Table Mountain Walks" (1991) is beautifully illustrated in colour - more of a coffee table book than a hikers' handbook.
• Tim Anderson "Day Walks in an around Cape Town" (1988) is very comprehensive, and Tim Anderson and Colin Dutkiewicz "Cycling in and around Cape Town" is also worth having.
• John Kench "Know Table Mountain" (1988) isn't a hiker's guide but has some great historical insights.
• "Don't Die in the Bundu" (Col DH Grainger) is a survival guide from the 1960s/1970s, covering survival in the northern parts of South Africa and Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia), but now we're gettig off topic, so that's where I'll leave it.

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Ian Webb, Cape Town, South Africa