TABLE MOUNTAIN NORTH FACE CONTOUR TRAIL TO OPPELSKOP
All the early-morning indications were that we were in for a warm humid morning as twenty seven turned up at the start by the Cableway station.
Fortunately the bulk of Devils Peak shaded us from the rising sun for the first part of the run as we followed the contour trail across the North face of the mountain and up to the saddle between Table Mountain and Devil's Peak.
At this point our intrepid "fearsome foursome" of Veronica, Elaine, Jane and Leigh had to breakaway due to other commitments and made their way back down to Talelberg Rd and their car.
From here Neil led the front runners along the upper traverse which precipitously hugs the steep rocky flanks of Devils peak and around past Oppelskop and Blockhouse ridge which overlooks Woodstock. Then down the steep zig-zaging path to intersect the lower traverse and all the way back to Platterklip Gorge.
We the tail-enders however continued down to the disused part of Tafelberg road and followed it back to the foot of Platterklip gorge.
Although not as much up and down hill work as we sometimes encounter much of the single trail is overgrown, rough and uneven making for tough going. Altogether 12.2 Kms taking us 3hrs 10 mins.
Most came well supplied with liquids/water but a few had run-dry by the end. Just emphasizing the need to start out with at least 1litre of water during our summer runs.
Congratulations to Sandy who completed her 25th sortie this morning and now has the right to wear our Red Tee! She tells me she intends to wear it during her forthcoming Andean Mountain Marathon at the end of the month.
All the early-morning indications were that we were in for a warm humid morning as twenty seven turned up at the start by the Cableway station.
Fortunately the bulk of Devils Peak shaded us from the rising sun for the first part of the run as we followed the contour trail across the North face of the mountain and up to the saddle between Table Mountain and Devil's Peak.
At this point our intrepid "fearsome foursome" of Veronica, Elaine, Jane and Leigh had to breakaway due to other commitments and made their way back down to Talelberg Rd and their car.
From here Neil led the front runners along the upper traverse which precipitously hugs the steep rocky flanks of Devils peak and around past Oppelskop and Blockhouse ridge which overlooks Woodstock. Then down the steep zig-zaging path to intersect the lower traverse and all the way back to Platterklip Gorge.
We the tail-enders however continued down to the disused part of Tafelberg road and followed it back to the foot of Platterklip gorge.
Although not as much up and down hill work as we sometimes encounter much of the single trail is overgrown, rough and uneven making for tough going. Altogether 12.2 Kms taking us 3hrs 10 mins.
Most came well supplied with liquids/water but a few had run-dry by the end. Just emphasizing the need to start out with at least 1litre of water during our summer runs.
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| Group Photo taken during our regroup on the saddle |
Congratulations to Sandy who completed her 25th sortie this morning and now has the right to wear our Red Tee! She tells me she intends to wear it during her forthcoming Andean Mountain Marathon at the end of the month.
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