More than 100 Mountain Club members from across the country made their way to the Cederberg in early October for the 2025 MCSA National Meet, hosted by the Tygerberg Section. Over 10 days, Sanddrif served as the hub for a steady flow of hikers and climbers, with around 80 campers each night. Roughly 50 members stayed for the full duration, while others came and went as work schedules, weekend windows, and weather forecasts allowed.
True to form, the Tygerberg Section’s enthusiasm for wild places, long days, and a slightly rougher edge set the tone for the meet. For members more accustomed to gentler trails or well-worn paths, the Cederberg’s steep passes, boulder-hopping approaches, and faint routes came as something of a surprise. More than a few hikers found themselves thrown in at the deep end, learning quickly that this is a landscape that rewards patience, fitness, and a healthy respect for sandstone ledges and exposure.
The programme offered something for almost everyone, classic Cederberg traverses, shorter day hikes, overnight and multi-day routes, and a solid helping of rock climbing. Routes like Wolfberg, Tafelberg, Maltese Cross and Stadsaal Caves proved popular throughout the week—they are classics for a reason, while others disappeared quietly into the wilderness with heavier packs and longer plans.
October in the Cederberg proved characteristically unpredictable. Hikers on the Wolfberg traverse braved cold, wet conditions high up, where rain and dropping temperatures added an extra layer of challenge to an already demanding route. Earlier in the week, a group of day hikers pushed through mist and mud in Poepkloof, returning to camp with damp gear and muddy boots. By the latter part of the week, conditions shifted noticeably, with hot, dry weather settling over the mountains and reminding everyone just how quickly the Cederberg can change character.
Rock climbers split their time between Truitjieskraal and Wolfberg. Truitjieskraal drew those keen on sport routes, offering accessible climbing and plenty of variety, while trad climbers headed to Wolfberg to test themselves on longer, more committing lines. With support from the Stellenbosch Section, newer climbers were introduced to bolted routes while more experienced parties tackled harder challenges, gear jangling in the clear October air.
Rest days brought a different energy to camp. Children took full advantage of the open space, turning the camp-site into an informal playground, games unfolding between tents, along the river, and around the braai areas. For many, this mix of serious mountain days and relaxed, family friendly downtime was a reminder of the breadth of the Mountain Club community.
Life at base camp was shaped in no small way by the absence of cellphone reception, both a blessing and a mild frustration. While it occasionally complicated logistics and coordination, it also encouraged a refreshing return to slower rhythms. Plans were made face to face, evenings unfolded without glowing screens, and conversations lingered longer than they might otherwise have.
Behind the scenes, the process of securing permits was a more sobering reminder of the complexities involved in accessing protected wilderness areas. While there was broad appreciation for the role permits play in conservation and responsible use, navigating the system was at times tricky and inevitably dampened a bit of the carefree spirit that hikers bring to the mountains. Still, most took it in stride, recognising it as part of the shared responsibility of enjoying these special places.
The farewell dinner provided a fitting and memorable culmination to the week. Set beneath an open tent with sweeping mountain views and the steady soundtrack of the river nearby, members gathered around tables lit by flickering fairy lights, a touch of sophistication not often associated with such a remote setting. The potjiekos was exceptional, wine flowed generously, and conversations carried easily into the evening. The seamless execution, driven by the unwavering enthusiasm of the chairperson and made possible through a generous donation from the section, transformed the evening into something truly special and unforgettable.
By the final morning, tents were coming down and the camp-site slowly returned to stillness. What lingered was not only the satisfaction of kilometres walked and routes climbed, but the connections formed across Sections and generations. Experiences shared on the trail and lessons exchanged between younger and older members created space for genuine connection, reminding everyone that the strength of the Mountain Club lies not only in the mountains we explore, but in the community we build together.
