Elsie's Peak Traverse

Today we scrambled around the Elsie's Peak traverse from the Glencairn side. It was a short hike (2km) but felt like the equivalent of our normal 5-7km outings, and lasted nearly as long! We were in the shadow of the mountain, it being still winter, and so the long grasses brushing our legs left us damp but undaunted, and the three dogs accompanying us soon had clumped fur - I think they rather enjoyed it. This section of the traverse has not been used for some time, as the Fish Hoek side is preferred, but there is a section where a ladder is needed (it has disappeared after someone fell down) and a belly crawl - not favoured by our group! So a little bundu bashing through thick vegetation on a damp and slippery, rocky path made for a bit of a challenge. I slid sideways down the slope into the coleonomas after my boots (obviously not suitable for gripping rocks) gave way on a slant and much guffawing ensued as I disappeared like a tulip being pulled underground by a mole, with just my pink hat visible in the bushes. I wasn't the only victim, and many slips occurred. There will be a few bruised bums tomorrow.
Our destination was the shallow cave below the mast on Elsie's Peak, and there is no doubt that the scrambling was worth it. False Bay stretched before us, a smooth surface with even swells, little fishing boats, a kayak or two, and a whale that passed silently at the foot of the mountain, barely breaking the surface but clearly outlined in the clear blue water. Sunlight diamond-dappled the bay and we were happy to relax in the clean (apart from what must have been bat droppings) ledges of the cave, pretending we were the first inhabitants of this peninsular paradise.
The walk back was just as arduous, and punctuated by echoing reports of rifle and hand gunshots from the disused quarry just below us, which is now used as a shooting range. It was comforting to know that we were very high above the action! It was also fortunate that the dogs were unfazed by the loud noise.
As we reached the fork where the path continued up to the mast, a small mutiny took place and it was agreed that lunch was on the menu rather than another hour's hike! These things happen!