Training missions

[Nic Shaw]

Cuan Watkins & I had a little mission this weekend that was useful training. We scouted a possible trail run to co-incide with the Giant's Castle MTB challenge in April next year. The run is called (at this stage) the Giant's Two Passes & it is a lovely 27km up Bannerman's and down Langa's. For those that have not yet attempted to run on top of the High 'berg at above 3000m I suggest something like this to get a feel for the thin air and the terrain. No matter how fit you are, altitiude is a force to be reckoned with.

I am sure I am preaching to the converted here but the other humble suggestion I can make regarding training is to really work on core stability. I use a body-ball & gym work and find that it really helps me on the pathless and rough terrain of the mountains. Especialy when running with a pack. I find this site has some useful links and advice: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/corestab.htm .

[Andrew Porter]

Hello all

Now that the days are getting longer and warmer, training trips to the 'berg are about to become a bit more fun. With this in mind, I am starting to think of some trips to the berg to prepare for the event.

Now, September 24th is a public holiday (yay!), so I think it makes sense to cram in some training around there. My plans at this stage are to:
Drive down from Jhb to Sani Pass area, on Sun 21st.
On Mon 22nd, run up Sani Pass and then head south. If logictics work out well, run all the way to a pick up at Bushmans Nek. Alternatively, head south until I get bored, tired, the weather turns bad or I get to Bushmans Nek. Then, turn round and run back to Sani Pass.
Rest on Tues 23rd
Wed 24th - Thur 25th: Do a good long run up Grey's Pass before heading south. Intention is to scout out some route choices along the way, and then to turn around when it gets dark. At this point, survival instinct will kick in and the desire to get home will keep me going through the night on the way back.
Rest of Thur 25th: Sleep, groan and curse.

If anyone is interested in joining me for part / all of this, please shout.

Cheers
Andrew

[Nic Shaw]

Hi Andrew

I think it's great of you to make the offer & if other members haven't run on top of the 'Berg it would be a nice starter. Unfortunately I have commitments over that time; obviously I'm not a public (boo!). I will, however, be planning a mission from Organ Pipes to Giant's pass sometime early October as this is the route I am least familiar with. I'll probably take it pretty slowly as I need to do some mapping; if anyone is keen to come along they would be free to park their car at my house near Giant's and catch lift up to run back...

Also, if anyone wants to use my place for a base for some good little berg runs they are welcome. There are some great routes up to contour path (well, the summit too) from right behind my house.

Nic

[Andrew Porter]

Hi

Due to that horrible 4 letter word ending in 'K', I pushed my run forward a few days. Started late, then headed up Grey's Pass and turned south. Ran until about sunset before turning back and continuing through the night back to the car.

Water levels are obviously low, but still plentiful if you don't mind filling up from the odd pool instead of a flowing stream. Even so, it is best to fill up when you get a chance as many of the smaller valleys are dry.

I find that even on the coldest winter mornings in Jhb, that I can run without gloves. Up there, bad mistake. At 3000m, with mist and wind, the temperatures go sub-zero easily, so I will be adding gloves to my bag. Same cold weather encouraged to to continue running because I really did not want to bivvy in that. And, if you look hard enough, you can still find snow/ice on some of the south facing slopes.

There are some lovely flowers up there. Small bush, with lots of 1cm white flowers. Once moist, they reflect the light of your torch from quite a distance and brighten up the run a bit.

Andrew

[Nic Shaw]

Sounds like an awesome run. I might be a wimp but a thin pair of polyprop gloves are standard kit for my cold morning runs at home in the berg.

The good snow this weekend may help the water situation a bit; let's hope. I'm taking a trot up Bannerman's and down Langa's on Wednesday & will give feedback about the water up there.

I'm interested in the flowers, did you get a pic?

Other members seem a little quiet; is there anybody out there?