Sunday 16 February 2014

FEEDBACK: Saturday 22nd February 2014: Constantia Green Belts



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23 turned out on a beautiful cool morning of which 11 were newcomers.    An easy run up through the verdant Alphen and Klassenbosch trails up to the remains of Cecilia Forest where the main group continued up to the upper track and then followed that through to just before Constantia nek where they turned down to take the Diep river trail back.   

The Recovery group took a slightly shorter route across to the top of Southern Cross drive before running down the Diep River trail.      11.5 Kms for the Main Group and 10 kms for the Recovery Group both taking about 1hr 40 mins. 

 A very runnable route 80-90% for a change and one with lots a shade and two water fountains!

Thanks to Richard and his team of Navigators for leading over a new route which we can use again in the January heat next year. 




Dawn start up the green belt towards the mountain

Tranquillity

Run profile

Route taken by the Main Group

Sunday 9 February 2014

FEEDBACK: Sat 15 February: Constantia Corner



SAT 15 FEBRUARY : CONSTANTIA CORNER/DAMS/CECILIA RIDGE

As dawn crept over Constantia Nek the air was humid and sultry, an omen of what was to come.

Gregg led us out to the long hot climb up to Eagles Nest followed by a seemingly endless scramble up to the top of Belle Ombre.   Then it was over to Camel Rock .   By this time the Main Group were a distant flash of colour to us in the Recovery Group.

For both groups it was a hot tough run but never the less a worthwhile achievement.   Despite the fact that the Recovery Group took a wrong turn and ended up slogging along the non-ash valley through thick dead undergrowth to come out above the Victoria Dam.

About 13 kms for the Main Group and 9kms for the Recovery Group.

Thanks to Gregg for managing and leading the run and congratulations to Julian who completed his 50th sortie





Hout Bay from Constantia Corner

Looking towards Muizenberg from the top of Belle Ombre

Camel Rock


Alex, Tamsyn, Dawn, Geoff, Richard, Liz, Julian and Tom with Gregg's shadow!





Alexandra Dam

Gae and Megan crossing the dam wall




Sunday 2 February 2014

FEEDBACK:8 February: Hunt for Red Disa Constantia Nek

Allison's report back:



A perfect overcast morning for running with 23 hauling themselves out of bed to enjoy it. Unfortunately we lost a few going up the steep climb and some had to turn back early at the top. Those that stayed were rewarded with more disas than you could shake a stick at. There were clumps of them at every stream and waterfall we passed.

We enjoyed truly spectacular running along Smuts Track and detoured a little, instead of running under the Hely-Hutchinson dam wall we scaled the ladder (shh don’t tell anyone) and ran along the vertigo-inducing dam wall. The dam was mirror still and too inviting for Faye, Paula and Mel who enjoyed the time-honoured SA tradition of a broekie swim.


I think this is my new favourite route and one we should make an annual event! 
Thank you to Richard for leading and Gae and Randolph for sweeping. Those that took the short cut down the steep path to Constantia Nek ran approx. 12.53kms in a little under 3 hours and those that took the contour path down ran approx. 14kms. 

Congratulations to Gregg on his 50th run with the Trailers!

And well done to Allison for a well managed sortie.

Photos taken by Gae and Alex le Roux