TABLE MOUNTAIN TRAILERS Table Mountain Trailers Buffs

Hi Trailers,

Due to popular demand we are about to have our own TM Trailers Buffs made up.

These may  ordered by anyone who has run with us.  If interested please open the attached form.  Orders to be placed before Saturday 14th October,

Don't delay get it away today!

Regards   --Peter

FEEDBACK Saturday 30 September 2017 Rhodes Memorial –Plum Pudding -King's Blockhouse

Unfortunately, after preparing her route for this week's run, Jo fell ill and was unable to lead us. 





Not to be stopped, a good crowd of runners arrived at the start at the old zoo parking and headed up the off-road trail to Rhodes Memorial and on to Heartbreak Hill. 







The Medium group decided to take the short-cut steps to the higher level contour path and visited the old blockhouse, while the Relaxed group stuck to the plan and followed the lower path all the way around towards the city before meeting up with the Mediums at the base of the blockhouse.










The Speedsters, however, headed off on a wild meander with Tim being dragged along by a couple of champion newbies which led to him finishing in the car park a couple of hours later in a rather exhausted state.

But back to the trail... We all eventually found our way to the single track that leads through the tall shady eucalyptus and onwards to the start of the boardwalks. At the junction just after the picnic table, we headed down to the path to the cars. The mediums did a spot of sightseeing at the old zoo again, inspecting the graffiti in the lion's den and musing on the lot of the poor ol' caged beasts.


All in all, the medium group covered only about 9kms and we all agreed that the initial short cut was a mistake because we felt we could have run more. The Relaxed group, having obeyed Jo's instructions to the letter, managed 11kms and were considerably more satisfied with their run.

More photos on the facebook page, but a few of the terrain here.

FEEDBACK: Saturday 23rd September 2017 Signal Hill & Lion's Head

This was the Cape Town Marathon Peace Trail weekend and since most of us either failed to secure an entry or didn't want to run with the crowds, we decided to organise our own version of the route from Mouille Point Lighthouse, up Glengariff Road and onto the mountain, returning through the Urban Park. The distance was about 11-12kms with a quick ascent of Lion's Head for the more energetic!

FEEDBACK: Saturday 16th September 2017: Vlakkenberg

A smallish group of mostly regulars arrived this morning at Constantia Nek for a well loved clamber up the Vlakkenberg steps, on to Picnic Rock and back via Bokkemanskloof. 

We split into our 3 groups, the Fast group consisting of only 3 strapping lads this week, and crossed the road to the start of the trail as quickly as possible so that we could get back for the SA-New Zealand rugby game. (And don't we wish we had rather stayed up on the mountain for hours longer... 57-0, I think!)

When planning the route, I'd spotted a path on Slingsby's map that I thought we'd never taken before but that led in a sort of square around a slighter lower peak than Vlakkenberg itself and to a viewpoint at the very pinnacle of the peak, and I wanted to see if we could identify it as we ran. There's a camera on the map - and the only thing the Medium group loves almost as much as running trails is taking photos so it was a must-do.

Unfortunately, the lower part of the track, marked 'slippery' on the image, was well hidden, perhaps now on the other side of the fence surrounding the vineyards but, sharp-eyed Theo noticed the other end of the path as we ran over the crest of the hill and stopped so that we could regroup and make a Committee decision about whether we should recce it or not.

Being the intrepid trailers that we are, we headed off along the track, not knowing how deep it would take us down into the valley before leading to the peak and how much distance and time it would add to our run. We were surprised to come face-to-face with Geoff & crew (Fast group) on the path a few minutes later! Clearly the Fast group has been keeping this little gem a secret from the rest of us! As it turned out, we only had to run some 500m before we spotted the beacon. 

It was quite windy on this little plateau but we, the Medium group, posed as best we could for our first ever photo at the Vlakkenberg Peak.

The views from the top were certainly worthy of the little camera icon on Mr Slingsby's map.

We then backtracked, wondering how we could let the Slower group know about our discovery so that they too could summit Vlakkenberg Peak, but failing an instant cairn, we decided that they'd have to wait to read the blog and see the photos.

The next few kilometres of this route are some of my personal favourites on this mountain. I don't know what it is about it but I think the almost secret valley so close to home and yet so rarely frequented by locals makes it feel like a sort of Narnia - that magical land just through the wardrobe. It was lovely to see water flowing up there too. We had to dance across a little stream at one low point.

Picnic rock was our next stop and the turnaround point, so after another photo shoot...

...we headed back to the four-way crossroads and turned left onto the Bokkeman's kloof trail.

Fortunately there were no twisted ankles this time and the run back to the cars was uneventful - unless you count the barking Rottie and his pal at the top of the suburban area. I'm pretty sure his bark is worse than his bite, but I'm always glad to be in a crowd when I pass him!

The distance for the Medium group was about 11km in total, including the detour, and we ran for about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The Fast group covered the same distance in far less time :).  The slower group time and distance to follow.

Thanks to everyone for a lovely Saturday morning.

Lorraine
Photos by Liz.

FEEDBACK; Saturday 9 September 2017 - Pipe Track and Pipe Track extended (Oudekraal Ravine)

To follow

FEEDBACK: SILVERMINE EAST VIA CAVE PEAK 2 September 2017

So much for the "cool weather with a light breeze"! It was misty with a strong freezing wind when we all arrived to find out that the Sunbird Centre gate only opened at 8am. Everyone hauled out jackets and waited while Sam played traffic warden and directed cars to the parking outside Silvermine Village.

We started off as soon as we could just to warm up and the pleasant run along the golf course helped get the blood flowing.

The fast group led by Gregg with assistance from Tim and Mike galloped into the distance. Geoff couldn't make up his mind what group he was in, so he was in the middle just before the medium and slower groups.

As we climbed up towards Cave Peak, we entered the misty tablecloth that was blowing over the mountain. We reached the scramble climb without seeing the right rand paths leading to Echo Valley. I phoned the slower group to warn them about the scramble and they said they would discuss it.
The scramble was challenging but the group worked together to get everyone up safely. A group photo of a cold bunch of people was taken before we ran through to the amphitheatre on more familiar paths. 

From the amphitheatre it was lovely flowing running down Old Fisherman's path and then back down Dead Man's path to the turn off back to Sunbird centre. The mist and wind remained for most of the run, so jackets were the order of the day.

The fast group were sitting in the shelter of the cars drinking beer waiting for us - just to ward off the cold of course! We were worried about the slower group who took a while to arrive, but when they did they had smiles from ear to ear. They had done the same route as the medium group, including the scramble, and loved it!

Liz forgot her camera, so Judy was the designated photographer of the day. Lots of wonderful photographs on our Facebook page

FEEDBACK: Saturday 26th August 2017: Constantia Nek/Back Table

27 stalwart trailers gathered under the pines of the Constantia Nek parking area in the cool pre-dawn twilight with the promise of a glorious spring morning ahead. After the customary briefing and a moment of silence in memory of Jeff Shapiro who passed away the previous week, we started the slog up the steep short-cut to Eagle’s nest corner.  Here the groups split and the Fast and Medium Fearless groups scampered around the corner not to be seen for the next two hours.

The slow group swelled by those not keen on the steep ascents and descents facing the Fearless groups continued up the concrete track and turned off for the single trail that winds its way through Cecilia and Rooikat ravines through to the foot of Nursery ravine.

After pleasant and uneventful runs all returned to the car park to celebrate our 7^th Anniversary where a little “bubbly” and fruit juice helped slake our thirsts. 

Some special mentions:

Gaeleen: 225 sorties

Jeannine and Lize-Marick have actually completed  27 sorties but I don't think we ever congratulated them on their 25ths!

Peter

TABLE MOUNTAIN TRAILERS Fwd: Saturday 19th August: Cape Point-Buffelsbaai/Kanonkop/Lime-kiln route

This coming Saturday the forecast is for a glorious sunny day when we can provide a little assistance to the Puffer table as described in Allison's earlier e-mail followed by a spectacular run in the Cape Point Nature Reserve.

For those assisting at the Puffer Table please follow the instructions in Allison's e-mail and for the rest please plan to get to the Buffelsbaai parking area by 0730.

Brief Description of Route

From the Buffelsbaai parking area, a brief jog up the road and then turn right on to the single track that takes us past the Information hut and up to the top of Kanonkop. Here the Fast and Medium groups  take the trail to the left [northwards] for an out and back jog towards Paulsberg.  Once back at Kanonkop they follow the same route as the Slow Group.

The Slow group will go over Kanonkop and down towards the old limestone kiln. Cross the road and through the small parking area to follow the beach path along the coast that takes us back to the Buffelsbaai parking.

 Rendezvous and Start Time

RV in the Buffelsbaai parking area in time to start running at  0730 or as soon after when all the Puffer Table helpers have arrived.

The park opens at 0600. Please remember your Wild Card/My Green Card or R135 for the entry fee! 

How to get to Buffelsbaai

From the entry kiosk drive along the road for approximately 8km.  Ignore  the Buffelsfontein and Bordjiesdrif signs and turn off left at the Buffelsbaai sign,  drive down the road towards the beach and park at the southern end.

Terrain and Distance

A straight forward  run with a few reasonably easy hills. Good single tracks through the fynbos and probably close-ups of zebra, bontebok and others. A wee bit of an uphill slog to the top of kanonkop.   More or less 12-13 km taking  about 1.5 -2.0 hours  for the Fast group and 9/11km for the Medium and Slow groups.

My Green Card - https://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/tourism/access-cards-permits.php

The TMNP My Green Card is available exclusively to residents of Cape Town, costs R135 and provides the holder with 12 free entries a year into any of the Table Mountain National Park's pay points: Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point); Boulders Penguin Colony, Oudekraal and Silvermine, as well as to the braai and picnic areas at Tokai, Newlands and Perdekloof. It offers fantastic value.

    You can use the MyGreen Card for up to 6 people at a time - they must all bring ID books. Each person's entry will be clipped off your card.

The card can be obtained at:

    Tokai Plantation Office, Tokai Road, Tokai (Mondays to Fridays 08:00-15:45)

    Kirstenbosch

    You need to take 2 ID photos, ID and your printed proof of residence to buy the card 
    

Have a great week and hope to see you all there!

--Peter

082 374 6262

- Cell: 082 374 6262 Office: 021 712 1994

Warning:  Trail running is inherently more dangerous than road running.  It takes place over uneven hazard strewn trails in exposed and often remote terrain where help is not always readily available.  

Participation is voluntary and entirely at your own risk as although the organizers take reasonable precautions to ensure runner safety, it cannot be guaranteed.  To this end neither the Club nor the organisers personally can be held liable for any claims relating to inter alia, injuries, disabilities and death. Further any minor child participating in any trail running activity will be deemed to be doing so with the consent of his or her guardian.

By starting out on a trail run you explicitly acknowledge that: 1] you understand the associated risks involved and accept full responsibility for your own safety. 2] you are medically and physically fit to participate and 3] are carrying the necessary water, clothing and safety equipment required for the particular run.

FEEDBACK : Saturday 12 August 2017 : CONSTANTIA GREENBELTS

About 26 runners braved the weather and met for our greenbelt run and after a short briefing, the whole group took off (at a pace!) down the road towards the Alphen green belt. 

The groups ran (or walked!) the Alphen and Diep River Trails until Southern Cross and Cecelia forest and then split up to do slightly different routes, returning via the Klaasenbosch and Alphen trails.

The main group completed 16 km, the medium group 11.5 km and the slow group about 9 km.

The terrain was wet and muddy, even a little rain, but we were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow.

Gae

Virus-free. www.avast.com

FEEDBACK : Wednesday 9th August: Constantia Nek to Kloof Nek

There were a total of 19 Trailers in the car park at Constantia Nek on Women's Day, including a 7-man (and woman!) contingent from Stellenbosch.

We set off along the jeep track as a pack but Tamsyn and other fasties soon tore away from the slackers and disappeared into the distance. Stops had to be made even more frequently than usual for photos, especially as our northern friends had never run this stretch of the mountain before and were pleased with the views over the suburbs and across to their own stomping ground.

The first two short-cutting trailers peeled away from the peloton at about 6kms, just before the Aloes climb. A second two turned back at the top of the steps up to the rock fall, leaving the remainder of the pack to soldier on to the turnstile at a pleasant pace - 'slow enough to enjoy'.

At this point - about 11kms - there was an option to take the single track down to Rhodes Memorial and Uber home from there but there was only one taker for this option, and even she was quite easily persuaded to continue on to town.

At the blockhouse, we marvelled at Mowbray Ridge and the crazies that might consider climbing up or down it (haha!). We meandered around Devil's Peak, admiring the views of the city and revelling in the gorgeous weather that the morning had delivered. By now, the Stellies crowd were drunk on the scenery and were planning to return to run this route with us again as soon as possible!

The Platteklip descent drew one more deserter as Lorraine's tired legs got the better of her sense of adventure and she completed the last 2 kms on the t*r. The final crew of Stellies runners plus Theo, Anisha, Angela and Nothemba finished strong and pulled into the Kloof Nek parking area at just after 11am.

We Ubered back to Constantia Nek and had a rejuvenation cup of coffee at La Parada before waving goodbye to our Stellenbosch friends and promising to see them again soon.

Photos on facebook.