April fools

[Gary]

Hi All.

We are looking at leaving on the Sat 4th April.

Can anyone help with the following:

1. What weather predictions can be used. What is the weather like during this period and where can we find the best prediction closer to the time?

2. Maps. What is used in this regard. Ie additive to GPS (also what is the best GPS to use in those conditions?) etc.

3. I read somewhere that some people can assist with moving cars. Is this possible?

4. Do we need passports?

5. Best accommodation pre/post.

6. Water. Is there plenty available on route?

7. Is there an available 'best route'

8. Safety issues.

Thanks a million.

Gary
Team Cipralex

[Andrew Porter]

Hello Gary

How long are you planning to be out there?

2. Maps - the 1:50000 goverment maps are great. They show a bit more of Lesotho than the hiking maps available at the parks board, but do not show the passes for a way out. I use a Garmin with a screen that can show the map (and hence contours).

4. Passports - I take one with. It is useful if you descend via Sani Pass, or if you finish at Bushmans Nek in the daytime while the border post is still open. And, if worst comes to worst, the authorities have a way to identify the body.

5. Accomodation: At the start, I use the hut at the Sentinel car park. Bring all your own water, lights, bedding (except mattress). Very convenient, althoguh you could use Witsieshoek as well, which is slightly more luxurious but 30 min drive away. At the end, go to Silverstreams which is 50m from the finish.

6. Plenty of water, I have managed all the way to Sani Pass with a single 500ml bottle. There are a few stretches such as the bit approaching Champagne Castle that are a little dry, but not serious. I doubt it is necessary to take more than 1 litre.

7. Best route - see Garmin track below

8. Safety. I have never had problems. I feel that the dogs are the biggest issue out there.

Good luck with the attempt, and enjoy it

Berg Traverse - 4.gdb

[Gary]

Hi Andrew.

Thanks so much for the info!
Do you think we are going to have cold issues in April? I see some evenings are 2 deg at the moment.

[Andrew Porter]

It could be rather cold. But, if all goes well, I will be having a bivvy half way up Monk's Cowl over Easter weekend, so you are not alone in it

[Stijn Laenen]

1. I'd recommend www.windguru.com - allows you to mark a waypoint on Google Maps so you can get forecasts all along the route - my experience is that they are pretty accurate, if a little aggressive on the rain predictions... though in the berg, this is quite valid!

7. For a google earth file of the traverse, have a look at the Route Choices post from last year - there's an attachment in one of those posts...

All the best and keep us updated :-)

[Andrew Hagen]

Just a remark on our canine friends up there.

I do believe (backed up by our recent experience) that the dogs respond to human authority. I turned to face them, showed no fear and just shouted at them to go home, pointing with my arm in a firm and authoritative manner. You run, they run, and they run faster.
Also, the Basotho often throw stones at the dogs to discipline them. Don't carry stones "just in case", but rather make a very visible gesture of picking them up and taking aim.

Have a good one!

[Gary]

Hi Stijn and Andrew.
Thanks for the help.
Ja...windguru is excellent. At the moment the predictions are looking ok. We are just going to watch and wait.
I'm not worried about the dogs, because I know I can run faster than at least 1 of my team mates :)

Is it possible to plot a route that has relatively 'good' overnight spots. (caves etc?)

[Andrew Hagen]

Well, for our plan there was only Easter Cave for night 1, which was excellent. If you do a longer day, you could get to Roland's Cave or the Ndumeni Caves (about 58km if memory serves). I guess we could have gone off route and used Injasuti Summit Cave on night 2, but around Thabana Ntlenyana there are no caves that I know of, so you'd have to push right through to Sandleni Cave which is quite a lot further on past Sani. And even then it might be cold and soggy, although very spacious. Camping wise, we could have done better if we'd had a bit more daylight or spent a little more time looking :-)

[Gary]

Awesome. Thanks.
Everything still good to go...We will hopefully be departing on Sat 4th.

[Nic Shaw]

Hey Gary

Good luck for the GT; do you have a target time or are you taking it easy?

Nic

[Gary]

Well....such is the spirit of team events....We are aborting launch. AAAAAAAAh!!!! A team mate is man (lady) down with fever.
Right...back to date planning....