FEEDBACK: Saturday 7th February 2015: Hout Bay, Scenic Traverse to Chapman’s Peak

Aaaah! Yet another stunning Cape summer morning! Not too hot and not too cold, no wind and perfect clear blue skies! Twenty-seven eager beavers signed in at the parking lot at the Chappies end of Hout Bay beach ready to explore the contour path that runs parallel to Chapman's Peak Drive. There was much persuading of the lazy/shy/injured to do more than they had intended to when their alarm clocks had gone off an hour before, and the groups were formed. We were off!

We set off up the t*r road for a kilometre or so before turning up at East Fort onto the rocky path that meanders up the zig zag below Blackburn Ravine.
A steady climb up the next 3 kilometres took us to an altitude of about 340m. Once on the contour path, we trotted along at a good pace for the next 2km. The path is rocky single track with some sandy patches but very runnable, and there are one or two patches where some of us had to clutch on to the plant life growing from the mountainside for moral support --- not to mention any names, Gaeleen and, oh, me :). This escarpment overlooks Hout Bay and we were hard pressed to keep our eyes on the path with such delicious views to our right.

Yes, up there!

The main group sped on ahead, leaving the back of the main group trailing behind, discussing various topics such as the unwritten rules of flying light aircraft, the advantages and disadvantages of being a tall man, upcoming trips, and our various general aches, pains and injuries. Perhaps if we talked less we'd keep up more, but what would the Trailers be without the camaraderie that comes with all that chat?

A sudden yelp signalled my own unexpected inspection of the dust and, just moments later, a similar fate was to befall Mariette (who was, I noted, wearing two different shoes. A story waiting to be told...) So, with bloodied knees, shins and faces, we continued on to the photo-stop and posed with beaming smiles on our faces and a stunning view of the bluest of oceans behind us.

All too soon, the path followed the ravine down and by 7,5 kms, we reached the t*r again. The last 4-5 kms were run at a fabulous pace along the road and back to the cars. One of the best things about this particular route is that there is a Vida e caffe in the parking lot, and everyone knows that a milky latte is full of protein which aids recovery. A croissant doesn't go down with too much difficulty either.
 

Pete reports that the run/walk group had a good outing with time for some spectacular views, covering 9kms in 2 hours 15 minutes. The main group did 11.7 kms in 2 hours 7 minutes.

It slipped our attention two weeks ago that Julian Tompkins celebrated his 75th sortie with the group. Congratulations wrapped up in apologies to Julian! Randolph Mort ran his 75^th sortie this week, Mike Hart his 50^th and Alex le Roux his 25^th. Well done, all of you!
 

Report by Lorraine Nevin 

Poor Mariette's face

Pete and all-cleaned-up Mariette