Cape Town - It was the spectacular scenery of the turquoise ocean that stretched beyond the horizon that calmed my nerves.
On the left, I saw Clifton merging seamlessly into Camps Bay, and on the right was Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of the 27 years he was incarcerated, confined in a small cell.
It could have been serene, if I was not hanging by a thread off the side of Table Mountain.
I was 1 085m from the ground during my maiden abseiling experience. I was holding on to a static and dynamic rope – the safety and main lines – attached to tree anchors that could each hold 2.5 tons.
The capable guides from Abseil Africa coached me through my attempt at abseiling.
Lead guide Gilbert Milazi, from Malawi, first explained safety procedures to the group of tourists gathered at the upper cableway station before the big plunge, which was 45 minutes in duration and 112m down the mountain. “Commercial abseils can send more than 50 people without binding the rope. Please make sure your hair is tied because you might receive an ugly R795 haircut if your hair gets tangled on the ropes,” he joked.
He said that during the festive season the company saw at least 50 adventurers who all gave positive feedback about their experience. In fact, grand romantic gestures were often witnessed. Just last week, a couple got engaged while abseiling.
New Zealander Suzy Preston was one of the brave souls who decided to take up the challenge on Tuesday. She was on holiday in South Africa and could not wait for her turn. ”I am doing this for the second time. I did it this morning and it was amazing, I just needed to do it again.”
Experienced skydiver and Joburg resident Anrich Kock said abseiling was “scarier than dropping out of a plane”.
Once the group made it to the first ledge, safety tips were emphasised. Each team member was again connected to the safety ropes before they were told to “lean back and feed the rope to move”.
Fear gripped me when I leaned off the edge of the mountain at a 45 degree angle, I felt a rush of cold wind at my back, giving me the sensation of free-falling. My stomach churned. The Rocky III theme song, Eye of the Tiger, played in my head as encouragement.
On my way down, I pushed my feet against the rocks in a jumping motion. My instructors disappeared in the thick mist above me. Over the last few metres, I slid down where I was caught by tourism student Zalin Minnies, who is part of the Abseil Africa team.
We then hiked for 45 minutes to the top of the mountain, taking the India Venster trail to reach the top. The scenes we encountered were nothing short of spectacular. Endless oceans, rocky mountain slopes with rolling clouds. Thickets of trees and bushes of wild blossoms grew from every crevice.
American Karol Suen said it was the most exhilarating experience she had had since shark cage diving.
She made a stop in Cape Town after visiting Kenya where she was doing charity work. “It was great. I had such a wonderful time. I am so glad I came to South Africa, I will definitely do this again, given the chance.”
Abseiling Table Mountain ‘a wonderful adventure’
By Cindy Waxa
“Why are you doing this? Why? Go to the Victoria Falls or do something else, anything just not this!”
These were the words of a friendly woman who saw how terrified I was while preparing to abseil down Table Mountain this week. And when she realised I was not backing down she said: “Okay good luck”, before walking away.
Do I blame her for the concern? No.
I have seen people abseiling and I thought they were crazy.
I’m pretty sure the woman thought I was crazy too.
Why would I do something so dangerous?
Not in a million years did I ever think of doing this and here I was, at the top of Table Mountain, getting ready to abseil.
Eventually the instructors managed to get me to the right track.
I continued with the journey and could see the whole of Cape Town.
It was a wonderful adventure. No longer a life-gambling adventure.
I enjoyed every minute of it.
Cape Argus