A new map of the Cederberg from Peter Slingsby

 Hike the Cederberg

by Peter Slingsby, Slingsby Maps (www.slingsbymaps.com)

For lovers of the Cederberg, Peter Slingsby has once again produced a magnificent hiking map – the map we've all been waiting for. With contributions from 113 people, particularly Matthew Britton who walked over 750 km ground truthing the hiking trails, the years of meticulous research has resulted in the most comprehensive map ever produced for this unique and spectacular area. Two roughly A1 waterproof sheets, printed on both sides, are folded to fit neatly into a plastic carry pouch. The sheets overlap to give continuous coverage. The layout is pleasing to the eye and, while packed with useful information, is not cluttered. The topography is illustrated with 20 m contour lines, along with skillfully placed mountain relief shadows that bring the maps to life. All mountain peaks and ridges are clearly labelled. Everything one could possible want from a map, including detailed hiking and MTB routes with distances and GPS co-ordinates of important campsites, viewing sites, roads, caves, ruins, historical places of interest, annual and perennial streams, waterfalls and pools, cellphone reception, accommodation (with contact numbers) and even good bouldering sites, is there. Most importantly it shows the remaining populations of the rare Clanwilliam Cedar Tree. The carefully considered scale of 1 cm=400 m allows the maps to cover the full extent of the greater Cederberg range but also allow enough detail to follow any of the multitude of trails with ease. GPS navigation is simple using the subtle latitude and longitude overlay of 10 second intervals.

This map certainly does the vast and rugged Cederberg justice and is a must for anyone visiting or hiking in the area, even for those who think they know it well!

Adam Harrower, Kirstenbosch (From the December issue of Veld & Flora)

Available from http://slingsbymapsretailers.blogspot.com/ or through the Kirstenbosch Bookshop Online Store at http://botsoc-kirstenbosch.org.za/onlinebookshop

Peter Slingsby has an interesting blog too - see his entry on the Gifberg "Poison Mountain, and Another Fat Dog"here.