In mid-October 2017 the Twelve Apostles range of Table Mountain burnt over the course of 5 days in dense alien vegetation on the privately owned lower slopes and in old stands of fynbos within the Table Mountain National Park.  It was a somewhat unusual fire in that it occurred in spring, before the typical Cape fire season. No human life was lost, and no notable damage to infrastructure was suffered. At the end of the day what we know as the #12ApostlesFire was a good ecological burn. I have been monitoring the fynbos regeneration and wildlife activity within the fire affected region and regularly visit the Twelve Apostles to observe changes to the landscape.

Scroll down for the details and images contained in the next update.

Cape Town – 23 August 2018

“I recently took a hike to the southern extremity of the Twelve Apostles burn zone to see the regeneration 10 months on from the big fire of October 2017. In short…it’s looking beautiful up there!

One of my favourite areas of Table Mountain due to the pristine mountain slopes, the unique views and of course the fact that it is pretty quiet. On the day I was up there I never saw another hiker…only two dog walkers and a trail runner near the mountain access.

I was hiking the paths in the Llandudno Buttress, Llandudno Ravine and Hout Bay Corner vicinity – keeping south of Judas Peak and The Pimple. The streams were flowing nicely after rain the previous night and the slopes saturated and green as they typically are in late winter.

The silver hairs on the leaves of young Conebushes, standing just about 10 cm high, shimmered in the gentle sunlight. Vibrant yellow Spiloxene littered the damp plateau, with a splash of purple and white from flowering Romulea & Cape Anemone. Lobelia, Cyphia, Penaea, Diosma & Moraea showed up every now and then, as too did the odd member of the Daisy family. Two orchids, Disperis capensis as well as the delicate Schizodium obliquum, were flowering – highlights on the day. Click through the images to see some of these blooms.

I didn’t encounter much in terms of animal life. Just agama lizards and dassies, along with thou-that-shall-not-be-named.

Until next month…“

Original post HERE

Little Lion’s Head just visible with green slopes in the foreground – regeneration after 10 months. Karbonkelberg, far distance, burnt about 6-7 months prior to the Apostles.

Buttercup Family.

Star Lily Family.

Hout Bay Panoramic.

Iris Family.

Protea Family.

Young Fynbos.

Orchid Family.

Iris Family.

Penaea Family.

Protea Family.

Little Lion’s Head.

Orchid Family.

A mix of young and old Fynbos. The sheer rock faces and rocky outcrops often survive a fire.

Old Fynbos in the foreground, with young Fynbos covering the slopes of Llandudno Corner.

A little patch of unburnt vegetation in the shaded foreground, close to the rocky peak.

Burnt Proteas.

Citrus Family.

Bellflower Family.

Wonderful scene of young Fynbos starting to take shape.

Steaming hot tea to accompany good views and a day of floral observations on Table Mountain. Pre-made tea carried up in a 1L Stainless Steel Thermo Flask from Cape Union Mart.

The Slopes Of Table Mountain Burn can be viewed HERE

The Night Scene Above Hout Bay can be viewed HERE

The Burnt Western Slopes can be viewed HERE

The Fire And Forest Divide can be viewed HERE

1 Month Update can be viewed HERE

2 Month Update can be viewed HERE

3 Month Update can be viewed HERE

4 Month Update can be viewed HERE

5 Month Update can be viewed HERE

6 and 7 Month Update can be viewed HERE

8 Month Update can be viewed HERE

9 Month Update can be viewed HERE