Koppies takes hikers back in time

Those selected few who went on the 8km Melville Koppies hike recently were lucky to get a bit of a guided tour thrown in too.With just a few people partaking, there were three guides to three hikers most of the way. With one hiker training for the Otter Trail and burdened by a pack weighed down by coffee-table books, it was a chance to stop frequently to catch our breath.

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Geologist and Melville Koppies guide Musarrat Safi had time to point out and explain one of the geological marvels on the Koppies.

The ancient granite and greenstone basement was formed 3.3 billion years ago.

A billion years ago, a massive meteorite hit the Earth, creating the Vredefort Dome (near Parys).

This event caused the overlying Wits quartzite rock to be tilted to the south, slipping downwards over the ancient granite and greenstone basement and exposing the rocks which normally lie deep below our feet.

The extreme temperature and pressures created by the shearing of these two rock formations caused the alteration of minerals to form mica and kaolinite. The contact between the basement and the Wits quartzites is not normally seen above ground.

Mica is used to make the shine in make-up and kaolinite to make glossy paper amongst their other uses.

Hikes:
• Melville Koppies Central is open every Sunday between 08:00 and 11:30.
• Choose from a 5km self-guided hike, a guided tour (book on 079 532 0083 or be there by 08:30), a 3km self-guided heritage trail or just take a map and guide yourself along the extensive network of paths.
• On the first Sunday of the month, join a guided 8km hike starting at 08:00 sharp.
• Adults R80, children R40 and a season ticket for a year per adult R500 (not transferable).
• Income used for maintenance of the Koppies (R22 000 needs to be raised per month).
• Security on the Koppies is provided.
• Park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park in Judith Road, Emmarentia.

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