Whipping Day At Table — Mountain

For those who don’t know, the "Tablecloth" is the famous thick, white layer of orographic cloud that pours over the flat top of Table Mountain. It looks like a pristine white sheet draped over the summit. Tourists love it. Early settlers, however, feared it.

: On these days, the wind can "whip" around the summit with incredible force, often leading to the closure of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for safety. Other Possible References whipping day at table mountain

ecosystem. The "Tablecloth" provides essential moisture to plants that would otherwise perish in the dry heat. Culturally, it is the stuff of legend, most famously linked to the story of Van Hunks and the Devil For those who don’t know, the "Tablecloth" is

This is the original Whipping Day arena. The route scrambles up the steep, loose rock directly beside the cableway. In normal circumstances, hikers use chains and ladders. On Whipping Day, participants race up this 600-meter vertical scramble without touching the chains. A single slip means a 300-meter tumble into the scree below. The "whip" here is the constant spray of falling pebbles onto your head from the person above you. Early settlers, however, feared it

We headed up Table Mountain today, but the wind had other plans. A true "whipping day" in the Mother City—the cable car was a bit of a ride, and the summit was a total wash of clouds. Even when the "tablecloth" is on, there’s something so atmospheric about being up here in the mist.

The enslaved people and servants who suffered on Whipping Day were from diverse backgrounds and cultures. They included people from Africa, such as the Khoikhoi and San, who were indigenous to the region; Asians, who were brought to the Cape as slaves or servants; and Europeans, who were often forced into servitude as a result of war or debt.