Intrepid adventure-seeker Jason Acer goes abseiling off the top of South Africa''s best-known icon, Table Mountain.
When it comes to adventure holidays, Cape Town is definitely a hotspot in South Africa. The list of possible adventures in this city is long and definitely exciting, but where do you start? Well, my first stop was Table Mountain. Yes, it is renowned for its beauty, but checking out the scenery is not the only option available. Table Mountain challenging hikes and tight mountain biking trails are definitely worth trying, but if you want the ultimate adrenaline rush, you need to start at the top of Cape Town''s sleeping giant.
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Arriving at the foot of the mountain, you realise the sheer size of this mammoth landmark. Once in the shiny new cable cars, you start your ascent to the top. The rotating floors give you a complete and majestic view over the city and the face of the mountain. While enjoying this, you begin to let your guard down and once you reach the top you are completely relaxed and in tourist mode.
After finding the company I had booked my adventure through and having a quick chat, they showed me exactly what I would be doing - that was walking off the side of Table Mountain, backwards! Yes, the most famous abseil in the Mother City was my task and did I forget to mention that I am terribly afraid of heights.
As they began strapping on the safety gear, reality proceeded to drop kick me in the face. My palms were sweating, my legs were shaking and being a man, I tried to casually hide my fear by laughing and joking. As I climbed over the safety barrier and onto the rocks, I was struggling to contain it. By the time I reached my starting point, I was screaming like a school girl inside my head, and my uncontrollable mouth was spewing out words from an undiscovered language.
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As I slowly peaked over the side at the sheer drop, I went silent. One of the staff members then ordered me to lean backwards over the edge. After about five minutes of excuses, I finally obeyed. As I leaned over the edge, clutching the rope with all my might, he gave me another order: "Let go and raise your hands in the air."
I stared at his face, waiting for him to burst into laughter and tell me that he was joking. He didn''t. Finally I did what he said and nervously stood there in a conquering pose. I then began my descent. I struggled at the start with my hands burning and me struggling to move down the rock-face. But the more I got used to it, the quicker I started to get down. Just as I was getting into my stride, it was time for the big surprise.
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As I attempted to plant my foot onto the rock, it met thin air and I slammed my shoulder into the cliff-face,which then sent me spinning in circles. As I opened my eyes fearing the worst, I realised that this was all part of the experience. Hanging in mid air, spinning in circles, I was greeted by the most spectacular view of Lions Head and the Atlantic Seaboard, as well as a part of Table Mountain I had never seen before. My fear had disappeared and I floated slowly to the landing point, enjoying the view until I finally rested my feet on solid ground once again.
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After the abseil, you take a brisk hike back to the top of the mountain where you can take some pictures, enjoy a meal or take the cable car back to the bottom. For an Africa Adventure unlike any other, abseiling down Table Mountain is a must.
All photos submitted by Jason Acar except the one of Table Mountain which is by Fugue and used under the CC licence)
About the Blogger
Jason Acar is a vastly experienced journalist with an interest in experiencing adventure all over South Africa. He currently writes for Dirty Boots, a website with the most extensive list of African adventures around. Adventure holidays with Dirty Boots offer almost anything from hot air balloon rides to quad biking.