Table Mountain: 1, Me: 0 (But I Won in Spirit)

Do you see that tall, flat mountain in the back of the picture above? That’s Table Mountain. It got the name "Table Mountain" name as the english translation of the Dutch settlers name, Tafelberg, because, well, it looks like a table! And oftentimes, the way the clouds settle over the top makes it look like there’s a tablecloth draped over the mountain. Table Mountain’s decolonized name is Hoerikwaggo (or Huriǂoaxa), which means “mountain in the sea,” a name given by the Khoisan people native to South Africa. This name came from the fact that it seems to rise straight out of the sea.

Fun fact: the featured image on this blog, where Table Mountain is much closer, was taken during my second hike here in Cape Town when I climbed Lion’s Head! 

So, naturally, upon landing in this brand-new city, one of the first things I decided to do was climb a mountain. To “get oriented” with my surroundings, I thought, What better way to understand the city than to look at it from above?

Have I ever hiked before? No.
Have I ever walked 6.5 kilometers (about four miles) up a 3,563-foot incline? Also no.
And yet, one of my first adventures in Cape Town was this beautiful hike up Table Mountain. And truly, no regrets.  If I could give one piece of advice though: don’t make this your very first introduction to hiking.

My friend and I took the Skeleton Gorge route, which, as it turns out, is one of the more challenging paths up Table Mountain. It took us about five to six hours to complete, with plenty of photo stops along the way, of course. 

The trail had steep inclines, ladders, and a few rock-climbing sections, exhausting and so much fun! 

And this breathtaking waterfall! 

We chose this route for a reason, though: the Skeleton Gorge “beach.” It’s not an actual beach, but a small sandy area formed by wind and water slowly wearing down the sandstone around one of the dams on the mountain -- and yes, you can swim in the water! 

When we finally reached the top, we got to sit and watch the sunset over the water.  I had brought some fruit, water, and other snacks so we were able to recharge after the long climb. The view and the ambiance together was absolutely breathtaking. Honestly, the view at the top of the mountain made every step worth it.

And one of the best parts? You can take the Cable Car up or down Table Mountain if you’re not feeling up for the full hike. 

In all seriousness though, every step, ladder, and rock taught me a little more about pushing limits, pacing yourself, and finding humor in the heavy breathing. If there’s one big takeaway from my first hike in Cape Town, it’s that: sometimes the best way to understand a new city, yourself, and your legs’ true capabilities is to step out of your comfort zone, embark on a journey, get a little lost, and laugh about it later.