At 77, she conquers the Swartberg Pass

OUDTSHOORN NEWS - A 77-year-old hiker, Pamela Ann Miller from Table View, proved that age is just a number when she completed a challenging 23.16km hike across the spectacular Swartberg Pass in 07:30 on Saturday 24 October.

She was among 50 hikers who participated in the inaugural Conquer the Swartberg Pass event, hosted by Silent Steps to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Originally scheduled for June, the event was postponed until October following the flooding and the frequent closure of the pass during the winter months.

The hikers set off at 05:00 from Eerstewater, making their way through the rugged mountain landscape towards Kobus se Gat.

While most visitors admire the breathtaking Swartberg Mountains from behind a car window, these adventurers experienced the dramatic cliffs, winding mountain roads and spectacular Karoo scenery on foot.

The first hiker to reach the finish was Luzanne Coetzee Steenkamp from Calvinia in the Northern Cape, who completed the demanding route in just four hours.

Equally impressive was the determination of Miller, the oldest participant, who crossed the finish line after seven hours and 30 minutes.

According to Silent Steps founder Anette Grobler, the event was an opportunity to celebrate a decade of outdoor adventures while introducing hikers to one of South Africa’s most spectacular mountain passes.

Petra van Staden, June Steynberg and Hilda de Klerk enjoy their hike. Photo: Merwe Erasmus