In Stone Shelters Under Stormy Skies
- Robyn Phipps
- May 23
- 4 min read
Updated: May 26
The trail to Bannermans Hut
Mike and Shan had the brilliant idea to switch things up this time and stay in a mountain hut instead of a cave. Fortunately, Mike is quite the experienced mountain man, having completed this hike four times already. We gathered a large group since the hut could accommodate plenty of people, and the WhatsApp group buzzed with excitement.
After a night of sleeping on floors and some sleep-talking shenanigans, we set off from our various carpool starting points in the early hours for Giants Castle. A necessary stop at Windmills for coffee fueled our trip. By 9 a.m., we had all arrived, exchanged greetings, geared up, and signed the register, ready to embark on our adventure. The humidity and already high temperature hinted that it would be a scorcher. At the trail head, we tossed our sub-par tap water for some refreshing mountain water near a lovely river bridge.
The first 2 kilometers of the hike were challenging, marked by steep ascents that tested our bodies, still adjusting to the heavy packs, heat, and gradient. What began as lively chatter and laughter soon faded into serene silence, punctuated only by our heavy breathing as we climbed.
At the top of the first ascent, we paused for a moment of silence to take in our surroundings and practice mindfulness and gratitude. It’s easy to become so focused on the destination that we forget to enjoy the journey, which makes up the majority of the trip. We continued on, relishing the change in gradient along the contour path. About 4 kilometers in, we found a great lunch spot. I had asked my brother, Mike P, to bring the lunch ingredients for Day 1 since I couldn’t make it to the shops in Richmond. After several reminders and assurances that he had it sorted, he forgot the food in his fridge. So, lunch for us consisted of some dry sourdough from Windmills, topped with Lay’s chips—not exactly gourmet! But its hard to be grumpy in the mountains (luckily for Mike).
The rest of the hike was a comfortable walk along the contours, with occasional valleys and streams where we could refill our water. We laughed as Steph stopped at every wildflower, bug, and patch of pretty grass, exclaiming, “Dan, take a photo!” I’m sure Dan regretted bringing his camera a few times. We finally arrived at the hut around 3 p.m., greeted by breathtaking views. We were blown away by the hut’s location—situated below Bannerman’s Pass, east-facing and overlooking the Little Berg, with a dramatic rock face as the backdrop. We were truly in awe.
Eager to cool off, we headed to a small river near the hut, soaking in the cool water and plunging into the small pools. Refreshed, we returned to our cozy evening home just as storm clouds rolled in. We were treated to a magnificent afternoon storm, watching lightning strike the horizon while thunder boomed, sending chills down our spines. As the storm intensified, the mountains came alive, shrouded in swirling clouds, with hail falling around us. It was a humbling reminder of nature’s power, evoking awe and respect. Wrapped in the cozy embrace of the hut, we felt a deep connection to the wild while the storm danced outside. Then, as swiftly as it arrived, the storm passed. All that remained was a colourful arc in the sky—a promise, a rainbow. It was an unforgettable moment, and we felt privileged to share it with true friends.
Mikey P spotted a small cave hiding on the hill above the hut. Against our advice, he ventured out without a jacket. I managed to convince him to bring a headlamp, but that was all. We watched, entertained, as the young padawan ascended the mountainside toward the small dark opening. He eventually reached the cave, snapped a few photos, and swiftly made his way back to us in the dark, greeted by a hot cup of coffee and 2-minute noodles.
The following morning brought one of my favourite mountain sunrises, watching the sun peek over the horizon and illuminate the rock face behind us. We huddled around the two small benches in front of the hut, savouring the peace that comes with the dawn of a new day. Then it was time for breakfast, packing up, and hitting the trails again. One night always flies by too fast, but we soaked up every moment.
Half the group needed to head home early, retracing our route, while the rest of us decided to take the Langelibalele Ridge, adding about 6 kilometers to our hike. It was a stunning route, and we discovered a stream with a rock slide into a little pool, where we splashed around for a quick break. The ridge walk offered expansive views, and we made friends with a stray cow as we neared the river.
As always, it was hard to say goodbye to the mountains, but we knew we wouldn’t be away for long.
It was an incredibly memorable hike with a fantastic trail tribe.
I think this may be one you need to take me on so I can see the sunrise from this perspective Robs - wow looks absolutely amazing - thank you for sharing!