Choose & book your hike:

  • All hikes are advertised on Meetup. You will need to join Meetup and then search for the Meridian Hiking Meetup group, and follow the instructions from there to join a hike.
  • Take note of our grading system (see above), & choose your hike according to your ability & fitness. Start with flatter, undulating routes & gradually work your way up to the steeper ones. Bear in mind – gym & general walking fitness does not always prepare one for walking up steep inclines, the pace of a group is by necessity set by its slowest member & someone will be forced to turn back with you, should you not manage.
  • Check on the Meetup event with the hike leader if you want to bring children along on a hike. Note: A designated legal guardian must accompany & sign the indemnity form on behalf of hikers up to the age of 18.
  • Check on the Meetup event with the hike leader if you want to bring dogs along on a hike. Note: A Wild Card with ID is required to walk dogs anywhere within the Table Mountain National Park & only in areas where they are permitted – this is enforced by National Parks staff & not by the hiking club.

The following items are essential for day hikes:

  • Hiking boots/shoes & hiking socks (good sole support for longer routes)
  • Comfortable day pack
  • Sunblock (or not! Be aware of the toxicity of most of these products. Rather use environmentally conscious products)
  • Wide-brimmed hat (with fastening chord, for the wind)
  • Warm clothing, a suitable rain jacket/windbreaker (the temperature often drops unexpectedly on the mountain, even on the hottest day)
  • Layers of clothing, gloves & beanie (in winter)
  • At least 2 to 3 litres of water (depending on distance & weather)*
  • Food & snacks – consider distance/time & allow extra for emergencies
  • Cell phone – fully charged, on silent, with ICE numbers (see Emergencies, below)
  • Personal medication & relevant medical information
  • Personal first-aid kit (if you’re prone to cramping, speak to your pharmacist about suitable emergency medication)
  • Emergency space blanket
  • Small, reliable (preferably head) torch, with extra batteries
  • Whistle (from a toy or sports shop)
  • Copy of driver’s license or ID
  • Plastic packet for used tissues and other litter
  • Change your guest fee if you are not a member (check the Meetup event for the fees)
  • Wild card with your ID or entry fee, if applicable

*The most common problem experienced is that of hikers running out of water & suffering sudden dehydration symptoms or cramping (also caused by insufficient water intake during the days prior to a hot day on the mountain).

Optional extras:

  • A set of walking poles. Used properly, they (a) go a long way towards avoiding knee problems (made worse by excessive strain on the knees & tendons during the ascent, which causes tenderness during the descent), (b) spread the load & workout between the upper & lower body & (c) minimise erosion-causing impact when descending a loose path.
  • A hands-free water system such as a Camelbak or Platypus bladder
  • Money for drinks/meal afterwards

Hiking safety & etiquette:

  • Never go ahead of the hike leader or split off from the main party without prior consultation – this puts strain on the leader & other members of the party
  • While on the move, always keep in contact with those behind & in front of you & try not to let too big a gap develop
  • Electronic tones & cell phone conversations are intrusive in a mountain setting. Switch your phone to silent (& vibrate, & put it in a shirt or trouser pocket – if you have to be contactable). If you have to take or make a call, do so privately & quietly
  • Tread lightly & in a controlled manner so as not to damage paths. Should you accidentally dislodge a rock or large stone, the internationally recognised call to warn other hikers is a loud ‘rock below!’
  • Never take shortcuts – they cause erosion & encourage other hikers to use them, too
  • Move away from watercourses when nature calls so as to not pollute streams. First tell a fellow hiker, so that they know to expect your return to the party. Solid matter must be properly buried & paper must be taken off the mountain (pack a small plastic bag for the purpose)
  • Do not litter (not even fruit peels – they are unsightly to other hikers, encourage further littering, and some take months to biodegrade) & remove litter that you may come across, if possible
  • Never pick any flowers or greenery

Emergencies:

Emergencies used to consist of either being lost/trapped in bad weather, or injury. Nowadays, we also hear of the occasional mugging. It should only be necessary to call for help in case of a major injury or other serious event. Hike leaders always carry the relevant emergency numbers. However, all hikers are responsible for their own safety.

  • Program these numbers into your cell phone (for ease of finding, list emergency numbers at the top in your contacts, preceded by ‘AA’):
    • AA Metro Rescue – 021 937 0300 (WSAR = Wilderness Search and Rescue forms part of Metro Rescue) – for medical assistance & rescue services
    • City Emergency Management Centre – 021 480 7700 (All emergencies on and off the mountain)
    • AA Mountain Security – 086 110 6417 (City of Cape Town’s Technical Operations Centre – they report criminal activity, etc. to National Parks)
    • ICE1, ICE2, etc (In Case of Emergency) – each with a number of a personal contact, like a family member (emergency personnel look for ICE numbers on patients’ cell phones to see who to contact)
  • A whistle is easier to use than to rely on your voice, when in distress. The International Mountain Distress Signal is six equally-spaced blasts (or torch flashes, etc) in rapid succession, interspersed with a one-minute pause, and repeated. The reply thereto is three signals and both are repeated until the casualty is located
  • Pepper spray can buy valuable time for potential mugging victims. However, it is essential to use the single-stream (not the fog) variety (e.g. Liquid Bullet) and carry it in your hand when in risky areas
  • Don’t carry your driver’s license, credit cards and other valuables with you – a laminated copy of your driver’s license/ID will suffice for ID purposes
  • The safest place for your ID, keys, cellphone, etc is on your person – in a shirt or trouser pocket
  • Carry only your car key/remote on your person and not the entire bunch