TRAIL RUNNING
12 October – Day 3 , Peak 3
Kwaduma ( Eastern Cape )
( 10 hours , 33km , 1600m of elevation gain )
Chi : Up in the clouds , walks through the snow , and then finishing in the blazing heat !
Terence : Kwaduma , an understated monster ... We had a long day out , but were gifted with amazing weather and life-changing views . The walk in from the escarpment to the summit was the biggest challenge . We did not expect its length , nor enjoy it . Still , an amazing part of SA . Blessed to experience these things with friends .
14 October – En Route
Chi : Namahadi Day … ‘ This day ,’ ‘ that day ’ and ‘ the other day ’ are all phrases that are circulating in our everyday conversation . One of my absolute favourite things about doing this # 9peakschallenge non-stop adventure , is that time , space and days co-exist . Our adventures have not been confined by days and time , but rather the journey itself , moving from one location to the next . This afternoon we arrive in the Free State and we will start our next peak , Namahadi . We will be back at the camper van in the early hours of tomorrow morning .
13 October – Day 4 , Peak 4
Mafadi ( KwaZulu-Natal )
( 18 hours , 40km , 2600m of elevation gain )
Chi : My longest day to date on my feet , starting and finishing in the dark , scrambling up , and up , and up ... to the highest peak in South Africa ! What a breath-taking experience ( excuse the pun ).
14 October – Day 5 , Peak 5
Namahadi ( Free State )
( 10 hours 30 minutes , 28km , 1000m of elevation gain )
Chi : A tough day with sore and tired feet ! We arrived back at the camper van around 2am . We are now on our way to the next peak .
Terence : Another day , another mountain . Namahadi was a toughy , as we started later in the day and sunset led us well into the night / morning . After the summit , spirits were high as we realised we now have a victory lap of 4 more peaks .
Terence : Yoh , Mafadi ! Klapped it . Probably the coolest day out and about . We worked incredibly well as a team and just moved ! The scrambles up Corner Pass are always a highlight . And I ’ m so incredibly proud of Chi for nailing her biggest day out , ever . 4 out of 9 .
Images : Terence Vrugtman
36 ISSUE 135 NOVEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za