Run report: Saturday 25th July : Rhodes Memorial circular route via Skeleton Gorge

We had a fabulous turnout this week with 20 trailers in the main group, 7 in the recovery group and our usual team of intrepid run/walkers setting off at the start. 

The steep climb to the turnstile below the blockhouse was a good wake up call and  elicited many a moan and groan. The next few kilometers however were gentler, and I think I was forgiven for the rude awakening!

 

The path meanders in and out as it follows the contour of the mountain with small boulders on the surface in many stretches causing slow going. The boardwalks were super slippery and unfortunately we had a casualty as a new member took a hard fall.

At a point soon after the end of the boardwalks, the main group lost a few members as time constraints pressed, but not before we took the group photo and had a short rest.

 

Next, we clambered over the rockfall (which I learned has a name - Dassieklip - and the area/hill is called the Aloes)  and then descended into the deep, dark forest, and continued on to the majestic waterfall at Skeleton Gorge. 

Here there was some debate about the rest of the route, but we pressed on as somewhat vaguely planned, rock-hopping over the water without getting our feet wet. We had done over 6km and so headed down towards Newlands Forest in the general direction of Rhodes Mem, albeit in an 'all roads lead to Rome' sort of way. Fortunately both Alex and Theo know the forest well and led the way. Sadly, our injured member was struggling and so we left him at Newlands Fire Base to be rescued by the gallant Alex in his trusty four-wheeled vehicle. 

There was some dissatisfaction at one point over the apparent need to climb back UP a set of steep steps and the leaders attempted to cut a new track through the forest instead, but were foiled after just a few meters. There was no way but UP! We soldiered on, and eventually arrived at the jeep track which was straightforward if not completely flat. 

By the end of the run, we had separated into about 5 distinct groups, but despite all the morphing and splitting along the way, all trailers were safely accounted for.

The main group did a whopping 14.5 kms in a time ranging from 2.5 to 3 hours; the recovery group did the full distance (climbing right back up to the top contour path) in 3.5 hours; the run/walk group did an amazing 11.5 kms. GPS devices in both main and recovery groups recorded a total ascent of 1000 meters! 

All in all a gorgeous morning with wonderful company and beautifully varied surroundings. Hearty congratulations to Nicole Meyer who celebrated her 50th sortie with the Trailers!

Blog by Lorraine

Photos courtesy of Angela and Jo.