Good morning Everyone
See feedback on last Saturday’s run attached.
MONDAY HILL TRAINING
Today we are going to take advantage of the cooler weather and hoof it up Devils Peak from The Saddle car park starting at 17h15 sharp. Please let me know if you will be joining me.
SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2011 – VOB FREE PIQUES CHALLENGE
Start Time and Place
I know you’re going to hate this at first but if the weather is anything like last Saturday then you will thank me. We are going for a 06h00 start at the Platteklip Gorge car park on Tafelberg Road. This is just shy of 2km past the Lower Cable Station, driving towards Devils Peak.
The Route
What we are trying to achieve here is to do something akin to the Pensioner’s 3 Peaks but with more running sections so we can stretch those legs out a bit instead of doing straight up and down three times. It also gives runners the option of doing 1, 2 or all 3 Peaks depending on your time constraints and / or fitness.
Leg 1: Up to the contour path in Platteklip and then, turning left, take the Lower contour path around Oppelskop Ridge to the King’s Blockhouse. From here it will be straight up the Mowbray Ridge to where the path splits for the Upper Contour Path. Here we will make things interesting. Those with a fear of heights will take the upper contour path (right) around to The Saddle and then climb to the top of Devils Peak. The rest will “race” them by taking the Knife Edge and then the minor scramble on the Newlands side of the mountain which comes out more or less at the summit. From the summit we will drop down onto The Saddle and then down to the contour path and back to Platteklip car park.
Leg 2: As a recovery run we will cross Tafelberg Road and run down through Deer Park to Kloof Nek and then take the shortest route up Lion’s Head. Back down to Kloof Nek (where there is a tap to top up water supplies) and then up Kloof Corner to the contour path which we follow back to Platteklip Gorge.
Leg 3: For those with sufficient energy and time, the hike up Platteklip awaits with a dash across to Maclears Beacon via the shortest route and then back along the north edge of the mountain to Platteklip and back down to the car park.
Of course the order of events may change, especially if it is a stinking hot day. But we will be as democratic as possible about this.
Running Time
Quite a long time, really, but it can be made manageable by just doing one or two of the three legs. Probably about 2 hours per leg.
Distance
Each Leg must be about 10km but perhaps Mr McPherson, being the a seasoned Pensioner’s 3 Peaks campaigner, can provide more accurate info which I will confirm on Friday.
Difficulty
Devils Peak: Moderate to tough.
Lions Head: Moderate
Table Mountain: Moderate to tough.
All three in succession: Tough (probably very tough).
Important Notes
1. We cannot emphasise enough how important it is to carry sufficient water on these runs. Although the distances don’t sound all that far, if it is hot you will go through a lot of water very quickly. You cannot rely on mountain streams at this time of year, despite the rain we’ve had. I reckon you could easily go through 2 litres per leg on this run. This is why we return to Platteklip each time. Bring a water bottle to keep in your car in order to top up your hydration pack.
2. If you are attempting more than one Leg you will require nutrition on this run. Each to their own but bring food. No collapsing on the mountain please. We’ll feed you to the snakes.
3. Bring proper gear / kit / clothing. Moisture management clothing, windproof / waterproof jacket / space blanket / whistle / cell phone.
4. Sunscreen and cap / hat.
5. Ear plugs if you don’t like swearing.
6. Scottish / English dictionary.
7. Sense of humour.
8. ICE cold beers for afterwards. Robyn, just two for you this time.
9. Please fill in the register before starting out.
Table Mountain Trailers (aka acsis VOB Shortish Route Slower Group): Saturday 26th November: Glencairn-Kleinplaas Dam circuit
Route
After the hard runs of the last two Saturdays this is a reasonably easy circular route around the koppies behind Glencain and Red Hill and passing the Kleinplaas dam before picking up the Puffer route back to the start.
Rendezvous and Start Time
RV in the parking area on top of Black Hill on the South side of the M6 or Glencain Expressway.
Ready to start at 0630
How to get there? From the Fish Hoek/Sun Valley side follow the M6 through the traffic lights at the Fish Hoek-Kommetjie intesection and head up Black Hill. At the crest of the hill look out for the parking area on your right and park close to the big SAN Parks sign at the far end of the parking area.
Terrain and Distance
Reasonably easy undulating bush trails with a few modest hills. Some sandy stretches and a short distances on tar and farm tracks. Distance about 14kms taking us more or less about 2hrs 30m.
Warning!
Summer is here now and most of the rivers and streams are drying up so we cannot count on finding water on our runs. Dehydration is a real risk during trail runs so from now on each runner is required to carry their own water bottle or hydration pack during our runs. And don't forget those whistles!
Peter Rogers
That’s all for now. Have a great week, Everyone.
Cheers
Tim
Tim Bellairs
acsis VOB Trail Running
Cell: 082 321-0299
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