In 1991 I pitched my tent in the same spot as far more famous climber from South Africa had done 8 years before. Chamonix is the birth place of alpinism and modern mountain travel. The view from Snell’s Field camp site at sunset up the Mer du Glas to the Dru was and still is inspiring. IContinue reading “Two Trails, Three Runs – SPARC Trail Running Talk 12/12/17. My UTMB and TTR experience”
Category Archives: adventure
Hout Bay to Llandudno Traverse. Table Mountain Top Ten Trails #6: the adventure is out there.
It is not often that I start a trail run at the civilized hour of 8h00 on a Saturday. But we were waiting for the tide to be out. I was lucky enough to be invited on this route by Mark Preen. This ranks as one of the best adventure trails in Cape Town. ‘ButContinue reading “Hout Bay to Llandudno Traverse. Table Mountain Top Ten Trails #6: the adventure is out there. “
Specificity
Most of us have seen the photo. Kulhavy waiting for Sauser to win the sprint. They knew what was required and they knew what it would take. They had a plan that matched the desired outcome. They had planned this scenario. How many of us have the same insight? Or do we leave it upContinue reading “Specificity”
Hiddingh – Ascension Ravine
My only wish for Christmas was to eat some trifle. And so my wife went to search the local Woolworths for a) a store with a manageable que and b) one that does in fact have stock of said trifle. I promptly finished the “serves 4” on my own. When asked which part of theContinue reading “Hiddingh – Ascension Ravine”
Leave No Trace
More and more blogs, vlogs, trail running camps and experts are popping up telling “newbies” how to do this trail running thing properly. How to walk uphill, run downhill, be like Killian and what you need to be successful. What are we missing? A few years ago I came across the Leave No Trace website andContinue reading “Leave No Trace”
Oorlogskloof Rock Pigeon Route 5 day Hiking Trail outside Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape – Quick Guide
Deserves to be one of the great hiking trails in South Africa! Remote, authentic and adventurous. You are continuously confronted with little rock scramble detours which highlight a kloof, waterfall, rock arch or just spectacular view. There are many, many signs naming local plants throughout. This is a real treat and everybody will get aContinue reading “Oorlogskloof Rock Pigeon Route 5 day Hiking Trail outside Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape – Quick Guide”
Ten Rock Arches – Oorlogskloof Hiking Trail
Ringing the Bell:
I leave the Hikers Parking at 6h00 sharp. Scouting the first river crossing last night helps so it goes quickly and I gain altitude. I see two lights below me. They have chosen a different path. We all have. I am walking out of the darkness into mountains cast in shadows. As in Magic andContinue reading “Ringing the Bell:”
“When is enough, enough?” Ian asked
I close my eyes in the crowd, in that town square, in that time. Vangelis is playing – Chamonix town square at the start of UTMB I can still feel the tears now, many years later. The point of life is to grow and to have fun. If you can have fun while growing thenContinue reading ““When is enough, enough?” Ian asked”
“Perhaps you are brave” he said
This struck me and pushed my button. I have never considered myself brave. Not when I climbed The Nose on El Capitan or did the first ascent on a wall on Yellowwood. I did not feel brave when I was far above my gear and further from safety. I did not feel brave when IContinue reading ““Perhaps you are brave” he said”