Friday 6 April 2018

FEEDBACK: Saturday 7th April 2018: Silvermine - The Lookout Circuit

We returned to Silvermine after our Easter/Pesach break for a circuit of the various lookout points, something like this:


We started at the parking area nearest to the reservoir after a slight delay because the leader (ahem!) had a disagreement with her alarm clock and overslept. Fortunately, Liz had printed a register and the group signed in, leaving only the route briefing to be done by a flustered and sleepy-eyed Lorraine.

All three groups headed up the single track to the fire lookout over Tokai Plantation but decided not to continue on up to Elephant's Eye Cave before heading down and across to the Blackburn lookout. Unfortunately, we lost a runner here as she stopped to tie her shoelaces without the main group noticing her absence. Fortunately, the relaxed group was not far behind and scooped her up and stayed with her for the rest of the run.

Theo led the way from here up to Noordhoek Peak finding single track wherever possible, but with some stretches of jeep track, and on to the Noordhoek viewpoint where the group took a lot of photos and enjoyed the 'mini 3 peaks' challenge before rounding off the morning with a circuit of the reservoir.

The Longer distance group led by Geoff and Tim continued a short way along the Old Fisherman's Path towards the entrance gate and returned via the River Walk to add a further 2 kms or so to the run.

The Relaxed group led by Marge took a lower path back from the Blackburn lookout to cut out a big climb and a kilometre or two.

The main group's 11km route took just over 2 hours. The Longer group were already drinking their refreshments in the car park by then, and the relaxed group had gone home!

Lorraine

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