The following story captures some of the highlights of a highline rigged in Bain’s Kloof in South Africa in 2023. The aim is to celebrate the efforts of the slacklining community and educate those interested in the growing sport.
| Area: Limietberg Nature Reserve |
| Distance: Easy Hiking for 8km |
| Time: 2.5 – 3.5 hours |
The start of the journey
We spent old year’s night packing highline gear, having a skate, and celebratory drink at Leighton’s wooden cabin overlooking Muizenberg. Thanks for hosting and thank you Cary and Audrey for a delicious curry. Our aim was to rig a line on natural anchors in Slanghoek Valley to welcome the new year.
The first morning started early with a beautiful sunrise over the Hottentot Hollands Mountains. We drove through the winelands and the town of Wellington, to reach Bainskloof Pass on the R301. Jaws dropped at the majestic scale of the mountains in the Limietberg Nature Reserve which spans 102 000 ha from Franschhoek, to Klein Drakenstein mountains and the Elandsberg.
Setting off
Our hike would take us along the Witrivier towards the Du Toitskloof mountains to the east. We took in the beauty with each step through the deep valley surrounded by steep kloofs. The expectedly hot day unnerved us with a strong wind blowing head on. Baboons, birds, frogs and dragon-flies willingly shared their fresh water pools for our frequent breaks.
We kept passing incredible amphitheaters and river valleys for freestyle and long highlines. Having visited in May last year we knew what to expect and were eager to reach a magical spot with cascading rock pools not much further ahead.
Rigging the lines
The near side tag was thrown down while Leighton and Cary located a suitable far side anchor. Both ends of the tagline connected, and the pinktube webbing with a redtube freestyle section was soon secured across the 60 meter gap.
Three slings around separate boulders, terminated in a BFK, and the webbing tied off in a Alpine WebLock, backup securely in a mighty lock and a steel shackle. Tails tied off, and, oh yes, the leash on the correct side travelling over both lines.
Leighton crossed the new highline towards us with the tag, while Cary set off in search of a far side anchor for a longer line. The intended 100 meters of Y2K and 40 meters of Helium was unable to reach the anchors. The rig was flipped and our anchor extended to allow the extra 8 meters of Dyneemite and a helium extender to bring us home.
Walking into the sunset
With tired feet, I started my session on the freestyle line when a pair of Verreaux’s eagles took my breath away. My aim was to loosen up and cover distance during a sunset walk. The line felt familiar underfoot while the setting was heavenly. A waterfall alongside our line provided a flow of cooler air. Its clear waters provided an instant reprieve from the hot summer evening.
Setting off uphill, we reached the saddle of the valley within a 30 minute hike. Tucked against a large boulder we savoured our hot meals, some laughs, and tea before settling under the stars to sleep. Within an hour the moon moved out of sight and the clear sky allowed a deep gaze , hinting of the galaxies beyond our solar system. The temperatures dropped during the night as a blanket of mist covered our sleeping bags until sunrise.
Warming into a new day
A dreamy start to the day. Our hot coffee and the morning sun slowly warming us from inside and out. We set off down the mountain for a day of walking on highlines, swimming in rock pools, and replacing lost calories. Soaking in the beautiful pools we marvelled at the Waterfall Lily in stark contrast to its surroundings.
Tackling fear head on
Leighton sent the longer line full man, waiting for Cary to walk and send the line before passing comment on the line’s character. It was loose, and long enough to dissipate the energy of a mis-step. I warmed up on the shorter line before leashing into the longer line. Immediately feeling uncomfortable, I stood up and fell, catching the line on my chest.
Standing up, I pushed myself to immediately make my first step, then the next, before falling into my harness. The line felt challenging, unsettling, and I felt encouraged to keep trying. I stood up, made a movement forward, and smoothly crossed the line before turning around. A moment later I fell beneath the line and desperately grabbed the webbing to prevent the leash sliding.
Calm, then send
Setting off with a new feeling of confidence I spoke positively to myself and kept my thoughts centered on making the perfect movement each step. A quick, and purposeful movement of my back foot into position in front of the other. Passing the ankle as closely as possible to not introduce sideways movement. The segment quickly approached and I set my intention to send.
I wanted to walk across without falling. The incredible horizon, a bee, and a moving spider web all took my eye off of the anchor momentarily. Breathing out in smooth repetition kept my weight and focus centered. I focused on feeling the line. Did it feel comfortable? Yes. Approaching the last ⅓ each step became more challenging with the tighter backup introducing some movement.
I reached the no fall zone, sat down, and released an elated woohoo! The rush of emotions felt incredible, and the experience, rewarding. The stimulating feeling would remain for the rest of the evening as we tucked into our dinner and savored a sip from Abi’s red wine. “Quickly, tell me a knock knock joke.”. “Knock Knock”, “Who’s there”, “Uh! I don’t know.”. We all laughed.
New challenges ahead
After an unfortunate miss footing that morning, Audrey sprained her ankle. A reminder of the challenges faced when reaching a remote location. She and Cary decided to sleep beneath the stars alongside the river. While Abi, Leighton, and I sought shelter in the caves a short scramble above the river. A light wind and beautiful stars above set us into a deep sleep.
Our last day brought with it some challenges. We set about completing the most important task, finishing our food. Coffee and a rusk, instant oats, a nectarine, before a lunch of two minute noodles with tuna helped keep me fuelled up.
Leave no trace
The thought of highlining still makes me nervous. I head up the slopes more than 50 meters from any landmarks or path to find a loo. While toilets are often not provided in nature, make sure to not leave a trace by digging a deep enough hole to bury everything (bury, don’t burn your toilet paper).
Nevermind
I warmed up on the freestyle line while Leighton walked there and back on the longer line. Feeling comfortable, I moved through my favourite tricks before trying and landing my first nevermind into an exposure stance. Elated, I pushed my switch stance, doing a butt bounce, and chongo. Lastly, landing a regular stance can-of-soup with a big smile.
Abi made her way to the middle of the line with the hangover, and put Audrey’s advice to good use. She mounted the line with improved control and soaked in her surroundings.
Derig and rainbows
Audrey, with her swollen right ankle, set off at midday to compensate for her more painful and slower pace. We derigged the 150 meter line, with Cary managing the tag on his own on the far side while Leighton and I pulled the webbing across while Abi flaked it into the two bags. Within an hour and a half we had both lines down, and the gear collected near the path above us.
A last swim and a moment under the waterfall revealed an incredible rainbow. It formed in a ring around my body, caused by the sun directly above. Ecstasy!
Path of least resistance
Boots tight, bags full to the brim and above, we set off down the hill on our way home. Crossing two rivers provided the perfect opportunity to cool our feet, and plunge into the deeper pools. You’ll struggle to find a more incredible landscape, with amphitheaters and crags around every corner. The mountains stood tall on either side of us as we took the path of least resistance.
With the car revealed on the horizon we let out a sigh of relief as Audrey came into view and was safe, having arrived only minutes before us. The hike, while painful, revealed her tenacity and good spirit. “You have to go up to heaven, and go down to hell”. She demonstrated how the good foot leads on the way up, and the injured foot leads the way down.
Concluding thoughts
I am grateful for the cheer, all the gear, and incredible determination shared by Abi, Audrey, Cary, and Leighton. The memories of our time in nature inspire a deeper love for our mother. Let these magical moments in the sky inspire a flow and balance in all of our lives.
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