The following numbers of SRS were completed: 24th September 1998 - 62, 25th September 1998 - 89, 26th September 1998 - 82, totalling 233 SRS. This is unfortunately much lower than the previous few years, but then this was different – a lot more walking and a lot less driving around. Also our Sunday programme was somewhat curtailed. What we did get was lots of good data on the very rare high altitude species. The species seen are listed below – I hope that you managed to see (and atlas) most of them. The only species we really missed out on was Ld coriacium!

The highlights of the trip (apart from the night on the mountain, and the 2 days of torrential rain which arrived late on Sunday) where undoutably the rare high altitude species. It was astounding to see just how common Sp colorata and nubicola were up in those high peaks. Ld radiatum occurred sporadically from Grootberg to Horingkop, with a few spectacular populations in between – but none contained plants as large as the 3m diam skeletons seen above Boosmans Forest and on Grootkop. Unfortunately, the ascending western team did not explore their peaks and thus we still know nothing of possible populations to the west of Grootberg. Surely a good enough reason to return and explore these mountains more. There are now two keen conservation students (Gia & Rob) willing to accompany you up these peaks if you venture there soon (phone 02934 22412).

The Ld nervosum was easily located. An unexpected find on the northern descent was Pr acaulos. There is a Burchell Herbarium record from 1815, that was dismissed as a bad locality – until we relocated the population (bang goes the theory that we were the first ever to descend from Grootberg to Barrydale)! The nearest locality is Stormsvlei near Riviersonderend. Most atlassers were confused between Se acrocarpa (resprouter) and Se balanocephala (single-stemmed with acorn-like pollen presenters) – please check your data!

Interesting the Ld spissifolium fragrans at the base in the east was replaced by Ld spissifolium spissifolium higher up and to the west (did you remember to code the subspecies?). All in all we atlassed some 40 species – almost 11% of the Family in southern Africa.

By request the next AGT will be in the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area on the edge of the Koue Bokkeveld. Plans are already underfoot – in principal we have permission, but as the Wilderness Area will be closed to everyone except us, higher powers must grant final approval. Some 52 protea species are recorded in the area. We will be looking out for Spatalla tulbaghensis, Serruria confragosa and reflexa, Sorocaphalus capitatus and imbricata, Leucadendron diemontianum, as well as many other slightly more widespread species. As usual we will try and cater for all types, from the peak bashers who want to spend the night out, to those who would rather atlas along the roadside. Avoid disappointment – diarize the event and book now! The 24^th September is a Friday, but for those who can squeeze in an extra day or two, we will arrive on the evening of the 22^nd and use the Thursday (23^rd) for the fanatics. We hope that those who cannot take the Thursday off will arrive late on Thursday or early on Friday. Planned departure will be about 12h00 on Sunday 26^th.

It remains to thank you all for making the trip fantastic. To Val and Denham for the food and organization, and to Nigel, Pierre and rangers, and the Moodies of Honeywood for the accommodation and facilities - also a very Big Thanks.

Happy atlassing until AGT’99. See you there! Please keep the data rolling in until then.

Tony Rebelo

18 January 1999