TRAIL RUNNING
The ladders on Namahadi
Corner Pass on Mafadi
Two Big Climbs Ahead
What a memorable 18 hours of trekking we had on day four summitting peak four . Mafadi stands out like no other ( no pun intended ). This exquisite peak was a 2600m climb with endless mountains that just went up , up and around . I felt as if I was on another planet , with life surrounding and humbling the very little human that I am . One of my favourite sections of this journey was going up Corner Pass , which meant scrambling on hands and knees . This was an incredible challenge for Sandra , who has a fear of heights . We did laugh at her going up just one step behind Jack Attack ’ s “ pop-hole ” and saying , “ nose connection lost .” These moments took the edge off . ( See what I did there ?)
By this point , Mafadi was the longest time I had ever spent moving on my legs . The consecutive days leading up to this point also added to the most consecutive time , distance and elevation I had ever trekked . I was tired , but somehow , wherever you go , it becomes a part of you , and that makes all the difference .
We ‘ slept in ’ the next morning , until about 5:30 / 6am , had our first shower in days at the campsite , and then started the drive to the Free State to reach Namahadi . By now we were mostly on autopilot , moving at our own individual pace ( though oddly , still as a group ), and as quickly as our bodies could move . We started our climb , knowing we would only be ‘ home ’ around midnight . Walking in the dark , learning to navigate with headlamps and getting advice from Mother Mary carried me for a couple of kilometres , while Noddy spoke “ rubbish ” to me for another couple . Then Sandra ’ s will and courage to climb up and down the chain ladders gave me strength , and the belief that even in our darkest moments , we always have more to give .
Signalling the top of De Berg
As we reached our halfway mark we peered through the cracks of the mountains and could see ( almost ) where we were heading . On the way down again , Jack Attack came alive in the night , leading from the front , and with extra energy he took us on “ game walks ,” spotting all that surrounds us . In the end , the group mentally carried me back to Aloha .
Picking up the Speed
Day five featured four peaks : Toringkop ( Gauteng ), Nooitgedacht West ( North West ), De Berg ( Mpumalanga ), and Iron Crown ( Limpopo ). This meant a lot of driving , and less climbing with more running . Gorgeous sums up these peaks , by saying it was “ a wave of speed and emotion .”
By this point , my heels were sore and tired , but the excited feeling of nearing the end of the challenge was felt by all in the group . This came with a sense of achievement , and a relaxed and enjoyable last peak at midnight at Iron Crown , as we finished all nine peaks in five days , 13 hours and 32 minutes . And to nobody ’ s surprise , Noddy had ( obviously ) trekked champagne up for us to “ hydrate ” on !
When we arrived back at the camper van , we sat awake under the stars until almost 3am . Our body clocks were off , our adrenaline was still pumping , and lots of laughter could be heard . Gorgeous sat patiently , in his element capturing perfect night camping moments , and a sense of the simplicity of life hit me . Travelling has reminded me about the gift of time . There is no perfect time but the present , and these are the moments I live for . Also , an adventure like the 9 Peaks Challenge leaves one feeling humble , because it makes you realise just how little space we occupy in this world .
How to Sum it All Up ?
It was certainly not all pretty , clean or comfortable , and sometimes it hurt ! But this journey changed each of us – as something like this should . It leaves a mark on our memory , our conscious , our heart , and even our bodies . We have each taken something with us , and hopefully , we left something good behind , too . And as I continue to sit and type , I know that I will continue to fill my life with stories to tell …
Images : Terence Vrugtman
34 ISSUE 135 NOVEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za