SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2009: ANNUAL acsis VOB NOORDHOEK PEAK RUN

NOORDHOEK PEAK RUN - SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2009

See details below.

Seamus has asked that anyone planning to attend the run, please RSVP to him (082 449 7314 or sdaly@mweb.co.za) for two reasons:

1. He stashes water and cooldrink up in Silvermine the night before as most roadies don't know about hydration packs and carrying your own water. He needs to know how many he is providing for. But this is also a chance for the hard-core trail runners to relax and leave your water bottles behind, knowing that you will have a drink on the way up Noordhoek Peak.
2. For those who wish to go to Seamus' house afterwards for a breakfast, he needs to cater for numbers.
3. HOWEVER: if you find that you never RSVP'ed and you still want to do the run, that isn't a problem. Just remember that you will need to carry your own water on the the day.

I quote from Seamus' email:

"Our 10th, and what will sadly (for us) be our last, Noordhoek Peak run will be on Sunday 20th December, starting from 5 Wanderers Close, Constantia Hills at 06,00. (Wanderers Close is the last road to the right off Welgelee Rd).
The run will follow the usual format, with those, like me, who want a shorter run, or who feel (know) that they won't keep up with the quicker runners, starting from the top of Zwaanswyk Road (which is at Level 2). We can still all meet at 06,00 then drive to Zwaanswyk, (or you can go directly to Zwaanswyk if you prefer) where we will then be in time to meet the group coming up from the Arboretum. This option should take about 45 mins off the total running time.
There are number of shortcuts on the route - see below and the map attached (I've been reading too many of Tim's e-mails) - so the run will suit most running speeds, and hopefully we will all arrive at the drinks stop more or less together. (Possibly the faster guys could leave at 06,15 to balance things out a bit).
I am happy to report that the original route from level 5 to the saddle has been cleared and re-instated and is once again runnable, so we will revert to that, and avoid the final assault up the Elephants Eye/Lookout footpath.

The Standard Route

From home to the Arboretum via the Stone Church and Chrysalis Academy.
Through the thatched entrance to the Arboretum.
Follow the Elephants Eye path (keep right) until you reach the gate.
Turn right onto the forestry road and follow it past the big gum tree in the middle of the road - ignoring Levels 1 and 1,5 on your right, take the hairpin left, and follow the road until you reach the 4-way intersection at Level 2
Take the uppermost road to the right for about 200m (we should be waiting for you here) then turn up the Elephants Eye path to Level 3
Turn left along Level 3 and cross the stream at the Redwoods.
Turn right up the hill and follow this road all the way to Level 5, turning left at Level 4 along the way - you can't go wrong - you will always be going UP!
At Level 5 go left for a couple of metres and turn up the footpath to the saddle where the drinks will be stashed. From there follow the concrete road to the Peak.
The return route is just the reverse. When you get to level 3 turn left for about 3 mins then go down the footpath and the rest you know.

Shortcuts

From Level 2 where the Zwaanswyk misfits will be waiting, follow the Elephants Eye path to Level 3 (see the dotted line on the map) and then to Level 4 or Level 5 as you wish. Whatever you decide, when you reach the level you have chosen, (they are all signposted) then turn left. Left at Level 4 will leave you with some steep uphill running still to come, while left at Level 5 will be a flat run to the point where we all go up the footpath to the saddle. (don't follow the Elephants Eye path above Level 5)."

I hope to see lots of you there on Sunday. For the record, I will be starting from the top of Swaanswyk Road i.e. directly into the forest. So if anybody wants to do the same and is still unsure of how to find the start then drop me a mail and I will give the description.

SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2009: KLOOF NEK/DIAGONAL ROUTE/CORRIDOR RAVINE/PIPE TRACK

The Route

I am going to try something slightly different this week. I have been keen on trying it for some time now. It could be great fun as long as one knows beforehand what we are attempting. We will run a short section of the Pipe Track above Camps Bay as a warm up. Then shortly after the Blinkwater Ravine path we will turn up (left) onto the Diagonal Route path and climb this stunning route to the top of the mountain around the Valley of the Red Gods. This is basically a hike with not much running involved. Its not a difficult climb and there is no scrambling involved. Its quite steep in places but NOT DANGEROUS at all. Once at the top there is some technical downhill stuff as we head down the path to the top of Kasteelspoort. We continue along the path at the top (NOT down Kasteelspoort) through Woody and Slangolie Ravines and then turn down Corridor Ravine. We will then follow the Pipe Track back to Kloof Nek.

Short Route runners can do a nice gentle out and back along the Pipe Track (10km) or follow us to the top and come down Kasteelpoort if you want something a bit more hectic.


Start Place

Kloof Nek car park, at the SANParks kiosk.


Start Time

Ready to run at 06h00 to beat the heat.


Distance

Long Route is probably 15km at MOST but tough.

Short Route is 10km of easy running.


Running Time

Oyoyoyoyoy!

Long Route: 2,5 hours

Short Route: 90 minutes


Difficulty

Long Route is going to be pretty tough. The first km or so is easy running and a nice warm up. The ascent of Diagonal Route is a walk. The path along the top is technical running at about 60% runnable. It starts off more technical and gradually becomes easier. The descent of Corridor is actually quite runnable if you are careful but the surface is quite loose in places. Please try and minimise your impact on the path and try and stick to the more solid surfaces to help prevent degradation of the path. The Pipe Track is very runnable although the section between Corridor and Slangolie Ravines is fairly narrow and tricky to run on in places. But after the descent through the trees into Slangolie the running becomes much easier and the last section is just over 5kms of nice easy running in along the Pipe Track.

Short route: Easy running. 99% Runnable.


Comments

1. There will be compulsory regroups at the bottom of Diagonal Route and the top of Diagonal Route on the way out. After that, go mad.
2. Don't rely on there being water on the mountain. Please bring water (Sandra).
3. Long route runners, an energy snack is advisable to beat the low blood sugar level spins.
4. Please try and carry a phone on this one.
5. The usual snake alert applies.
6. Sign the register before starting.

SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 2009 - TOKAI FOREST FROM THE ARBORETUM

SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 2009 - TOKAI FOREST FROM THE ARBORETUM


The Route

We start in the Car Park which is normally thick with mountain bikers. We will head up the gravel road in the direction of Constantia Nek. Most of you will be familiar with this gravel road as it is the main track up into the forest. After about 1 km of gentle climbing (yes it is gentle, it just feels ugly when you're on a mountain bike) we will take the first road to the right and work our way over to the bottom of the switchbacks. We will climb the switchbacks and rejoin gravel road at the Vlakkenberg Nek.

At the point, the Short Short route can follow the road down to the car park.

The Ordinary Short Route will climb the section of tarred road that leads to the contour path (off to the left of the road) across the Constantia Face of Constantiaberg until it joins gravel road again, then climb the path off to the right (carefully avoiding the BLISTER BUSH) to the slightly higher contour path and follow this until it joins up with the Elephants Eye path. Descend the Elephants Eye path back to the car park.

The Long Route will climb the tar road to the point where the path to the Manganese Mines and Blackburn Ravine appears to the right of the road. Follow this path past the Manganese Mines and once you have started the steep part of the descent to Balckburn Ravine, look out for the path to the left that leads into the upper part of the ravine. Take this path and then join the main Blackburn path to the top of the ravine (the wooden platform). From here you follow the "stone highway" back towards Silvermine until you reach the gravel jeep track. Turn left (downwards) until you reach the sign on the left indicating the Elephants Eye path. Take this path and follow it all the way back down to the car park at the Arboretum.


Start Place

The Arboretum / Mountain Bikers Car Park in Tokai Forest. If you are on the M3 coming from Newlands then take the Tokai Road Exit (which is the last exit before you get to the end of of the M3. Turn right into Tokai Road and follow it all the way up to the traffic circle. Go straight across. Steenberg Golf Course is now on your left and Forest Glade Housing complex on your right. DO NOT take Zwaanswyk Road which goes off to your left. Keep going straight and the road narrows considerably. At the T-junction at the Tokai Manor House turn left and follow the gravel road into the car park. That's where we start.


Start Time

Ready to run by 06h00. Don't moan. It gets hot early. And I have to drive in from Milnerton.


Distance

Short Short Route: About 6km

Short Route: About 10 - 12km

Long Route: About 20km


Running Time

Who the h*ll knows ? My best guesses:

Short Short Route: About 1 hour

Short Route: About 1 1/2 hours (maybe 2 if you do the section up to the higher contour path)

Long Route: At least 2 1/2 hours (still quite a big climb in Blackburn Ravine).


Note

Please carry your own water, wind-breaker / waterproof jacket, whistle, energy snacks for Long Route.

Watch your footing, particularly on the forestry roads. We have more falls on these roads than anywhere else as runners get complacent. Notably me. I was the first one in the group to take a dive on these roads. If you fall, try not to fall on your face. It freaks everyone out.

In Tokai Forest, please be VERY aware of the mountain bikers. Most of them are very friendly but we have encountered some real pieces of work in the past. Remember that we are far better placed to get out of the way. We are travelling at slower speeds, we can hear them long before they are aware of us and we can go places that they can't. And generally we have better dispositions than they do. Jokes......I am having a go at the MTB'ers in our midst.

In particular, when we are climbing the switchbacks, give way to the mountain bikers. They spend a lot of money each year maintaining this track and they really do have right of way here. We haven't had problems before though.

Be very nice to any SANParks Rangers you may see out there. They might be Leighan Mossop, Hennie Delport or Chris Botes and we are being very nice to them. We are proving that trail runners are environmentally friendly and careful about our impact on the area.

Keep an eye out for snakes, as usual.

Sun block.

Please sign the register anyway as we need to know who is still out there on the mountain.

See you tomorrow.

WEEKEND 28 / 29 NOVEMBER 2009: SURFERS CHALLENGE

acsis VOB Wednesday Informal Run

This week our Wednesday informal run will be replaced by the Neil Joubert Plaaswedloop 13km. It takes place on one of the Neil Joubert farms (Klein Simondium, I think) which nestles right up against the Klein Drakenstein mountain, just off to the right of the N1 on your way to Paarl. As I have said before, this race really is one of the brightest gems on the WPA race calendar. Do yourself a serious favour and gather some mates, take a picnic and some blankets, grab your club running kit or run under a temporary licence in ordinary trail gear (because this is an official WPA race) and head out there. Not often will you find a race with such a stunning setting and awesome atmosphere. Its all on farm road (no single track) but you are running through vineyards and pine forest and be prepared for the infamous "moerse bult" with its humorous advice placards on the way up.

The only downsides to this race are:

It's a fairly early start (18h00, I think) so you have to leave work early to get through the race traffic, in time to find parking and register. All a bit of a rush but well worth it.
You need to nominate a driver who will stay sober as you are going to want to linger on the farm house lawns and drink loads of the Neil Joubert wine that will be on sale. You are not going to want to leave.
I don't have a race flyer handy so I appeal to anyone who has one to send it to me and I will email it out tomorrow and thereby be able to confirm all of the details and give proper directions to the start. There is probably one on the WPA website but I don't have access to it from work.


acsis VOB Weekend Run

I am not available to take a Saturday run this coming weekend as I will be attending the opening ceremony for the upgraded paths on Devils Peak. As mentioned before, acsis VOB donated about R20,000 towards the upgrading which consisted of the funds raised in the acsis VOB Table Mountain 16km race for 2007 and 2008.

Then on Sunday there is the annual Surfers Challenge (see flyer attached) from Long Beach, Kommetjie all along the beach to the car park at Noordhoek (base of Chapmans Peak) and back. Its about 12km and you will be racing the surf-skiers. This will be our official run for the weekend so email me if you run it (AFTER YOU HAVE RUN) and I will tick your name off for an attendance to count towards the New Balance Trail Shoe Lucky Draw.

I know this race is a little short for a weekend run but you can make up for it by gunning it as fast as you can. Treat it as a speedwork session.

The good news is that the race starts at 09h00 and low tide is just before 07h00 so hopefully the going should be a bit easier than last year. In addition, we will only be a couple of days off full moon so hopefully it will be a decent (near) spring-low-tide. However, I have been known to be wrong...............occasionally.

If any of the regulars would like to organise a Saturday run I would be happy to tick off names on the register for the Lucky Draw for that run too.

Have a great week Everyone.

SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2009 - CONSTANTIA NEK - DAMS - SKELETON GORGE

The Route

We will start at Constantia Nek and follow the Bridle Path (gravel forestry road) up towards the dams on top of the mountain. We will stay on the road until Eagles Nest. At that point we will cut up onto the single track between two big zig-zags in the road which we rejoin at the turn which takes us up the last bit of steep concrete road ascent to the top of the Back Table. At the top we will pass the De Villiers Dam on the left and then the old Ranger's House which is now a Hoerikwaggo Trail Hut on the right.

Shortly after this house, the short route runners will take a path off to the right which crosses the top of Nursery Ravine and gets to the top of Skeleton Gorge. They descend Skeleton Gorge to the contour path, turn right and follow it back to Constantia Nek.

Long Route runners will not turn right onto this path but will stay on the road, passing the Alexandra and Victoria Dams which are off to the right and will finally come to the Woodhead Dam. We cross the wall of the dam and then turn right, climbing above Woodhead and Hely-Hutchinson Dams and then pass to the left of Junction Peak to the intersection with Smuts Track. Turn right onto Smuts Track and left into Skeleton Gorge. Descend Skeleton Gorge to the contour path, turn right and follow it back to Constantia Nek.


Start Place

Constantia Nek car park


Start Time

06h15 to sign register.

06h30 ready to run.


Distance

This is a complete guess at around 15km for the long route (possibly a bit longer) and about 10km for the short. Now as will be noted from my run last weekend, I get the distances wrong even when I have done the run before, so don't hold me to this. But I will have my trusty GPS with me and will verify the distances next Monday.


Time

Another complete stab in the dark (which should also serve as a warning to those who mock my guess-work) , but I would allow at least 2 1/2 hours for the long route. This is quite tough going. I assume the short route runners will be running slower so allow 2 hours for the short route. There may be quite some walking involved.


Difficulty

I anticipate that this will be a reasonably tough run. The first section to the top of the Back Table i.e. to the Hoerikwaggo Hut is serious uphill (you are ascending a mountain, after all) but is not technically difficult at all. Its all road and easy track but it is UP !

From the Hoerikwaggo Hut the short route is undulating fairly rocky, undulating single track to Skeleton Gorge, technical downhill in the Gorge and then easy single track and gravel road once you hit the contour path.

The long route has some flat easy, concrete road to the Woodhead Dam, technical, rocky single track all the way up to Smuts Track and then down to the top of Skeleton Gorge and then joins up with the short route above.


Other Points to Note

1. I would advise that everyone carries their own water. Whilst there will probably still be lots of mountain water around, this is quite a heavily hiked area. This means that the streams might carry bladder-induced "nasties" but you are always welcome to take your chances if you don't like carrying water.
2. Please watch the weather forecast and dress according to the probable weather conditions. We will be running on top of the mountain and I strongly advise that you carry a light-weight, waterproof top at all times. It gets windy and cold up there, regardless of what the conditions are like at the bottom of the mountain.
3. Carry a fully charged cell phone with my cell number programmed in (0823210299).
4. Carry a whistle. If you don't know what this is for, wait until you get lost and I assure you that you will find a use for it, especially when you discover you are out of cell phone reception range.
5. Please sign in on the register before setting out.
6. Watch out for snakes in the path, especially on the single track. A tip I was given by climbers on Table Mountain and surrounds is that when you are using your hands to leverage up or down rocky areas, check the rock ledges before putting your hands onto them. Rock ledges are a favourite place for Berg Adders to sun themselves. I believe you don't want to be bitten by one of those.
7. Have fun - no moaning about the uphills. We will be doing far worse runs than this.
8. Please be extra careful on the descent of Skeleton Gorge. Footing can be a little tricky in some parts.
   

SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2009 - SILVERMINE EAST

SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2009 - SILVERMINE EAST


The Route

We will start at the Silvermine East car park. This is the area to the left (Kalk Bay side) of Ou Kaapseweg if you ascend from the Tokai side of the mountain. We will head down the gravel road towards Kalk Bay and then branch off right onto the contour path which is run on The Homestead Summer Trail Series race. This path does a loop around to the right and then bends around to the left. If memory serves me correctly we can work our way around this to eventually end up in the Amphitheatre. We then descend Echo Valley to Weary Willy's Wait which we then exit towards Muizenberg and start climbing again. We will ascend either the Spes Bona Valley or the next one along (the one used by the Old Fisherman's Trail up-run). Once we hit the top again we will branch off to the right again and follow a combo of gravel road and single track in an anti-clockwise loop (normally used on Race 1 of the Summer Trail Series) which brings us back to the car park.


Start Place

Silvermine East Car Park


Start Time

07h15 (Silvermine only opens at 07h00)


Distance

Good question. I am aiming at between 15 and 20km but can put together shorter route on demand on the day.


Running Time

Allow about 2 1/2 hours at least for the full run. Obviously, if you elect to take the short cuts, this will decrease your time proportionately.


Difficulty

This is a run with a lovely mixture of trail types ranging from intermediate to relatively easy. Jeep track, single track, board walk, short sharp uphills and nice little technical downhills where you can practice your skills and develop your downhill confidence. Conservatively, I am going to go with about 75% runnable. One could probably run more of it but based on my performance last weekend, I know I will walk at least 1/4 of it.


Notes and Requirements

1. After these rains there should be lots of drinkable water around on the mountain. If you are not comfortable drinking out of mountain streams, please carry your own water (and learn to toughen up a bit).
2. Watch the weather reports and dress accordingly. The weather has been unpredictable so I would recommend that regardless of the forecast, always have a few bare essentials. Please read the requirements on the Trail Page of the acsis VOB website ( www.vob.co.za ).
3. The entry fee for Silvermine has changed fairly recently and I am not sure what the entry fee is for Silvermine East. I will confirm before the end of the week. But may I suggest the you have at least R30 available for entry fees and tips for the car guards.
4. Carry your Wild Card if you have one. All trail runners really should buy one and keep it on them when they run.
5. If you are a slower runner then you need to be prepared for a "Follow the Arrows" run. This method is more fully described on the VOB website but essentially it means that, if you are behind me, I am not going to wait at every intersection. Whenever you come to a split in the paths, look carefully on the ground for arrows scratched in the sand or created out of sticks/stones etc. The nature of this run dictates that I also need to stay in touch with the faster runners so I am partially abandoning you this week. This is quite a confusing area to run because there are lots of paths. So, faster runners, if you don't know the route, then you will need to regroup from time to time and wait for me to catch up. I won't be THAT far behind.
   
   
   That's it until tomorrow.
   
   Have a great week Everyone.
   

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER 2009: TOKAI FOREST RAMBLE

TOKAI FOREST RAMBLE

The Route

To be perfectly honest, this could well change change but I am proposing the following as the preliminary plan. I say it could change because it will depend on the weather and also how many mountain bikers are out and about. Lets face it, they are more limited as to where they can ride and I don't want to annoy them unduly by infringing too much on their space. Having said that, we're going to do it anyway, just a little bit, but we need to respect their bit o' turf.

We will start at the Arboretum and head up to the left and cross the stream and start climbing the hill that you ascend on the Manor House Run in December. I'm not sure if its done on the Acustat Tokai Forest Trail Race (end of Oct) but its good practice. We will climb to Level 4 and then start running along Level 4 towards Constantia Nek. We will dive down the first piece of single track to Level 3, follow Level 3 for a while and then down more single track onto Level 2. We will then cross the main access gravel road (jeep track) and work our way over to the switchbacks. At an opportune moment (when there are no mtb's on the switchbacks) we will dash up them and make our way over to the Puffer path that we did last week but we will do it in the other direction; the first section anyway. From there we will wind our way back down to the Arboretum using jeep track and single track in order to make up a total distance of 15km.


Start Place

The Arboretum car park. Tokai Forest. Drop me a mail if you are unsure where this is.


Start Time

06h30 ready to run.


Distance

Long Route: 15km
Short Route: 10km


Estimated Time

2 hours. I don't know why I bother; no-one believes me anyway.


How Tough

Relatively easy stuff - 90% runnable.


Notes:

1. Please carry your own water. Whilst the stream water may be fine higher up the mountain, I wouldn't recommend it this low down.
2. Remember to watch the weather report and dress appropriately according to the weather. I will do a weather check on Friday.
3. Remember that this is mountain biking country. Please be courteous. Be very aware of the presence of the bikers and leap out of the way if you hear them coming. It is easier for us to avoid them than the other way round. This is especially true on the single track sections.
4. Its also time to start thinking about the sun block again.
5. Re-read the acsis VOB Trail Running operational guidelines. I know I am taking a solid mocking about how long it is but its good reading. You'll love it. I have attached it again.
   I have also attached the Trail Running Tips document. Please feel free to contribute to it by emailing me your tips.
6. I will do a better effort of remembering to do the New Balance Trail Shoes Lucky Draw this week. My humble apologies to you and our sponsor for this omission last week.
7. Do not mess with the baboons. You will lose, for sure.