I had just arrived at our apartment in Table View after finishing a brutal hike up Table Mountain earlier that day. I had managed to beat the clouds that usually begin to cover the mountain right before the evening hits. I looked across the bay from the balcony of our apartment, a spot that gave me a clear view of Table Mountain. The clouds were going absolutely crazy, weaving in ways that I had never sen before.
My friend texted me asking if I wanted to hike up Lion’s Head. I had already hiked it twice before, and was frankly exhausted from the earlier hike this day. I searched for an excuse not to do it. My South African friend recommended that we not go because it might be too risky. The clouds from Table Mountain might blanket Lion’s Head by the time we even got there. It was a 45-minute Uber from Table View to the trailhead of Lion’s Head. I gazed at those clouds again from the balcony.
Call the Uber - I texted my friend. A few minutes later, we were hightailing it in Cape Town traffic to try to reach the top before the sun went down. We sprinted up the mountain, while I stopped nearly every minute to snap a picture. Somehow, the thick quilt of clouds kept dissipating just before they reached Lion’s Head. They continued to put on an extraordinary show for the entire city.
A half-hour later, we made it to the top. It had taken me more than twice as long to finish the hike the first time. The frequent hiking had sculpted my calves into Cape Town calves. The feeling at the top was electric. It was golden hour and the vibe at the top was unlike any other. While some might complain about the number of others at the top, I found it extremely special. Very few things can captivate a group of humans from diverse backgrounds but I’ve found that an extraordinary sunset can do the trick. This was beyond extraordinary.
The top of Lion’s Head was buzzing. This was one of the most unforgettable sunsets I have ever seen and remains one of my favorite spontaneous adventures.
