Feedback: 26th February - Constantia Neck to Kirstenbosch

A flatish run with lots of opportunity to stretch out the legs.  A reasonable group gathered for our 21st trail run.  I languished at the back while Gaeleen set the pace up front so I can't  report much about the day except that as usual the company was great, the route fun and a pleasant time was had by most. 

Roumor has it that two spectacular tumbles resulted in a tie for the Jungle Joe award this week.  Unfortunatly the one contestant escaped  before providing me with a photo-op but I did manage to catch Gaeleen's efforts and she will be entered into the "hall of shame" - well done Gaeleen.

Fay did her bit and diverted us up a dry river bed to see some of the last few disa's in bloom. 

Some interesting stats from Peter:

Gaeleen Tomkins 11 runs 110 Kms
Sandy Ackland 11 runs 109 Kms
Neil Garbers 11 runs 107 Kms

Veronica Barnes 9 runs 86 KmsFay Linder 9 walks 87 Kms

Felicity Garbers 8 runs 82 Kms

Sam Laing 8 runs 79 Kms
Pat Rogers 8 runs 78 Kms

Peter Cast 6 runs 59 Kms
Elaine Dommisse 5 runs 50 Kms

Annelize Buys 4 runs 40 Kms
Catherine Day 4 runs 37 Kms

FEEDBACK -Saturday 19 Feb 2 Oceans 10Km trail Recce

Two Oceans 10Km Trail Recce Run

We had a good,varied and enthusiastic turn out for Saturday’s recce run over the 2 Oceans trail route with several newcomers, and members of Tim’s trail running groups joining in.

With the help from many we did actually manage to run over much of the route as best we could tell from the somewhat vague map published on the Two Oceans web site. However having subsequently checked my GPS track with the map I believe we made two mistakes following on the first one when we turned back downhill, firstly we turned down off the Woodcutters Trail too soon and secondly we ran down the tarred road towards the gate when we should have been running through the wooded area about 200m to our right. Anyway the aim of the exercise was to get to know the route so next time we will start with a far better idea of the route to follow.

Due to our navigational errors we ran short only covering 8Kms in 1hr 24 mins So we can make it up next week!!!

Other than that no problems everyone stayed on their feet.

Feedback-Saturday 12 Feb Silvermine South

This week we had a very good turn out with 15 runners and 2 in Fay’s walking group.

For once the weather smiled on us with a bright clear day and a most gentle and cooling breeze as we headed along the gravel road to the waterfall and around the flank of Maiden Peak and then the long slog up to the cairn marking the start of the Crasula path. At the rock overhang we stopped to re-group and admire the view Northwards over the valley towards Constantia Berg. [see main photo above] Then it was a nip over the nek between Klein Tuinkop and Kalk Bay peak and the descent down to the Amphitheatre. On the way we passed a solitary rare Blue Disa [photo left below]

From here we took the path up over the crest and ran through a light mist and then down the wooded Spes Bona Valley [photo centre below] to the intersection with the gravel path which led around the Eastern flank of Kalk Bay

over looking St James. Here another regroup and view over False Bay. From there it was an fairly easy run/walk to Nellie’s Pool and over to Junction pool and a sidestep to the right, up and over the “short cut’ path to meet up with the gravel track past the waterfall and an undulating cruise back to the car park.

No accidents, gentle breeze and almost no mist on the ridge, all in all a very good outing covering 10.5 Km with a running time of just over 2 hrs.

Saturday 5 February 2011 Platteklip Gorge

Saturday's outing starting from the foot of Platterklip Gorge was almost a sequel to last year's "Gorillas in the Mist" because as we reached the saddle between Devil's Peak and the eastern face of Table Mountain a thick mist suddenly rolled in on us reducing visibility to about 10m. Anyway the six of us found our way to the top of Newlands Ravine, the mist cleared and we had bright sunlight for the descen and the rest of the run.

On the way down Elaine stumbled and sprained her ankle but after quickly strapping it up she was off like a gazelle and continued in fine style down the ravine and along the contour path where we passed the long run group running in the opposite direction with a very disgruntled Tim acting as sweep to some very slow runners who had joined in.

Passed the Block house and then diverted down to Tafelberg Road to make running a little easier for Elaine. Altogether we covered 12.25 km taking 2hrs 42 mins. Somewhat longer than planned but hay this is trail running and time and distance are at best estimates taken from Google Earth.

PS. We discovered that the best way to find your way in the mist - look for the sign posts!  It does help having someone you can actually see the signs! 

Overheard on the trail:  You can't strap an ankle with duct tape - it chafes.  Followed by:  How do you even know that?

More photo's on picasaweb

Saturday 29th Jan 2011 SILVERMINE SOUTH EAST

To be typically South African: What  a lekker run!  We got off to an early (6:30am) start on a most spectacular day.  There was no sign of the wind that had been pumping continuously during the week.

Crisp clear, sun filled morning – just the way I like it.   A smallish group by last weeks standards but a good turn-up at any rate.  Our run took us the hard way up to the top of Steenberg Peak with lots of huffing and puffing.  A well deserved rest was had at “the fat lady’s shelter”. 

It was pretty much downhill from that point onwards.  We did a left hand loop past the radio mask, over to the top of Farmer Pecks, past Muizenberg cave and then back to the car via the single track that runs parallel to the jeep track.  I am not sure of the time but we ran a sweet 10km’s.

Saturday 22 January 2011; Noordhoek Beach Run

This Saturday's outing was a pleasant surprise because despite a black sou-easter howling over most of the peninsula, at Long Beach Noordhoek it was subdued to a gentle breeze. Consequently ten of us had a good long run along the waterline to Kommetjie and back clocking up 11.8 Km.

Sure several of us got our feet wet but it was good clean sea-water and in the process we saw a whale close in lazing in the surf and wondering what we were up to. Then it was a large , which according to Neil was a sunfish which was stranded on the beach. Time out was taken to inspect the wreck of the Kakapo and observe all the intersting debris that accumulates at the high water line.

Silvermine 3 Lookouts 15 January 2011

Our first run of 2011 was a scenic trot along the escarpment overlooking Noordhoek, Hout Bay and around to Steenberg Ridge overlooking the Constantia Valley. We welcomed six newbies and ten old hands from last year.

Despite fears of the South Easter trying to rip us off the high points the weather was kind to us with just a gentle breeze to cool us down,.

Photo at left taken on top of Noordhoek Peak and one to right is the lookout platform above Blackburn Ravine

Olifantsbos Cape Point

A few of us decided it might be nice to trot off to Cape Point for a run.  Those folks wanting to do some extra running outside of the normal organised runs should please let me know when next we meet then I can add you to the SMS list for future spontaneous outings.


We started our run from the car park and Olifantsbos.  We chose to run the shipwreck and Sirkelsvlei routes as one giving us about 10.5km.

© Peter Slingsby http://www.slingsbymaps.com/

The route was mostly runnable with the first few kms in soft sand. Tough but well worth it, the wrecks were a sight to see.  I left my camera behind but Gaeleen had her cell with her and she captured these stunning pics of the Thomas T Tucker.  THomas T Tucker was an American liberty ship who ran aground of Olifantsbos point in November 1942.  She was on her maiden voyage.  She was carrying war supplies at the time.

Sirkelsvlei is just stunning.  What a surprise to find ourselves in the company of ostriches, bontebok, terrapin's and tortoises. There seemed to be some sort of black lizard seminar on the go, every rock sporting one or two sitting in the sun.  

As the old saying goes "what goes around, comes around".  This weeks Jungle Joe award goes to yours truly for a spectacular swan dive into the brush.  Nothing too spectacular (or so I am told), I did find yet another use for a buff as Liz stretched and knotted mine into a very effective ankle support.  Luckily it was only a few km's from the finish.

Last run of the year - Silvermine 11 December 2010

After a few weeks (more like five or six) I finally managed to make it to a Saturday run.  After a few minutes wait at the gate we all drove up to the boom, only to find our path to the dam blocked by a cycle race.  Not to be put off - a quick change of plans (and route) found us parking at the lower car park.

 
A different route was agreed and we set off.  A quick trot up the river walk,
along Steenburg ridge, right up to the look out and back down again.
A familiar but still fun route.  The planned breakfast at the dam ended up being breakfast in the car park - thanks to the cycle race.  Tim popped in to say high which was great, we don't often get to talk to the man behind the mails and VOB trail running.



This week’s Jungle Joe goes to Neil for his spectacular face plant on the decent.  I missed the action but did manage to capture some battle scars.

Fay's brisk walking group seems to be joining most days now, so those of you still having concerns about being too slow (or unfit) should take advantage of the opportunity and join the group.  You will find your pace somewhere between Greg in the front and Fay at the back.

Peter started this group with the hope of providing those starting out (or
ending off) in trail running a social group with no pressure (just support) and
the promise of a pace slower than Tim's VOB group.  The plan being that
once firmly in the clasps of the trail running bug, those getting fitter (and
faster) would move up to Tim's group.  Well, I think he has achieved just
that. 

On behalf of all those taking part in runs this year I would like to say a big thank you to Peter for all his efforts in getting (and keeping) the group going.

Until next year, happy holidays.

Sandy

Sat 27 November: Hout Bay East Fort trail

Although it is now summer 17 of us set out in misty damp conditions on a gentle jog from the car park up to the ruins of the old East Fort. By this time three of our newcomers mistakenly decided to follow Gregg on the short distance run so as they high-tailed it off into the mist Galeen led the rest of us up the side of the mountain along the old manganese mine trail before we turned off onto the 400m contour path round to Blackburn ravine.
Top photo shows us re-grouping and taking a breather on the narrow path overlooking Hout Bay. By this point Pieter was so entralled by Fay's commentaries on the fynbos he decided to abandon us for the time being and join her walk group which were following on behind us.

We continued on the narrow path around the buttress deep into Blackburn gully out the otherside and then down the zig-zags, crossed over the river and on down to the main lower trail. From here it was an easy run back to East Fort down to the road and downhill all the way back to the cars. On the way we met up with our missing newbies who had been directed back to us.