Everyday Hiking Hero: Jess Tyrrell

Meet Jess Tyrrell, founder of Matric Enwild – a wilderness experience for matriculants, geared at helping them get to know themselves better and transition from school into the next phase of their lives.

We caught up with Jess to learn more about this influential lady and her love for the Cederberg.

HSA: Name, age, city/town where you live?
JT: Jess Tyrrell, 36, living in Cape Town (the Deepest South).

HSA: Where and when did you start hiking?
JT: I grew up outdoors. I’m hugely grateful to my parents that we spent every available moment exploring wild places. I can’t remember not hiking, although then I just called it walking. I still do actually.

Jess Tyrrell among the ancient cedar trees of the Cederberg.

HSA: Who introduced you to hiking?
JT: My parents did. They are both explorers at heart. My mother lived in a tiny rural village in Zululand as a physio, and my father spent a year living in Antarctica as the expedition doctor. And these were just the beginnings in their early 20s! They continued with their adventures and my brother and I slotted into this way of life.

HSA: Your favourite hike/hiking area(s)?
JT: I work as an eco-therapist taking young people into wilderness areas both internationally and close to home, so I’ve had the opportunity to hike in some pretty incredible places, but for me, it’s the Cederberg that’s right up there. It’s the most magical area in South Africa. There is something about its orange-red rocks—they feel warm and welcoming—and there is a quality of quiet that is hard to describe.

It’s because of this that I was inspired to create an experience for matriculants as they finish school and get them out to the Cederberg. It’s called the Matric Enwild and we go into the mountains for a week to walk and explore, as a metaphor for “walking into the unknown” next chapter of their lives. It’s an opportunity for them to mark the end of a huge part of their lives, allowing them some space and quiet to reflect on their achievements as well as the big questions of “who am I and where am I going.”

The group is wonderfully diverse—young people from all over South Africa, with different stories and perspectives. Through time outdoors, these kids come to appreciate themselves, their strengths, their abilities, and their connection to the natural world. One Matric girl I heard say on the first night sleeping out, “I never knew the stars were this beautiful.”

HSA: What does hiking mean to you?
JT: The story of that young girl’s discovery of the stars is what hiking means to me. Re-enchantment.

HSA: Describe your best hiking achievement/most memorable hike.
JT: The first Matric Enwild in 2015. These kids were so inspired by what they found in the mountains, in themselves, and in meeting others, that many have gone on to create their own hikes and introduce others to the outdoors. It had a ripple effect that continues to this day.

Hiking through the vast landscapes of the Cederberg.

HSA: Who is your favourite hiking buddy and why?
JT: Anyone who hikes. Outdoor people all have things in common, which is always enjoyable and often leads to funny things happening.

HSA: Your favourite piece of hiking clothing?
JT: Down jacket.

HSA: Your favourite piece of hiking gear?
JT: My yellow water bottle (yes, it deserves the capitals). Everyone who has walked with me knows that bottle.

HSA: Your favourite hiking/inspirational quote?
JT: Think outside. No box required.

Jess and her signature yellow water bottle – always on the trail.

HSA: What is your dream hike/adventure?
JT: Walking the length of the Kuiseb River (southern Namibia), from its source to the sea.

HSA: What is the funniest thing that’s happened to you while hiking?
JT: It was devoid of any humour at the time but now I can laugh: getting stranded in Northern Damaraland without water for 26 hours.

HSA: What is the trickiest position you’ve been in while hiking (and what did you do)?
JT: Same—getting stranded in Northern Damaraland without water for 26 hours, no signal, no radio, 48° Celsius and a long, long walk away from help. Two bull elephants who were not thrilled that we were hogging the only shade kept a close eye on us that night, as did a large male lion. I set up a night watch and used buried coals from the fire as heated beds to stay warm. Save-the-Rhino rangers found us the next day. It was an epic that changed my relationship with water forever.

Matric Enwild participants exploring the magic of the Cederberg.

HSA: What is the best tip you can give to newbie hikers?
JT: Always, always take water.
And a space blanket.
And a torch and warm jacket. Even if you happen to set off on a 48° day.

HSA: What’s the worst/best thing you’ve seen on a trail?
JT: Worst thing: vandalized rock art.
Best thing: finding rock art, spotting stone tools, real darkness and clear night skies.

If you’d like to get involved in Matric Enwild, either by applying or donating, visit matricenwild.co.za.