DRYLAND TRAVERSE 2012
THIS IS A GROUP OF THE 2011 RUNNERS; JOHN; JANE; SANET; DALLAS; PETER
PIETER; CAREL; BERNARD AND PETER -- THE OTHERS HAD LEFT BY THIS TIME.
John Nelson - My Friend, Support and action man
Stefan Steenkamp -- partner on the run. He had no idea what he was getting himself into when he married Nicky.
Carol and Marc Cooper -- Stunning people who I met at Addo and found instant friendship.
Sian and Sheena OKeefe - Met on a trail run; Rhino Run organisers and birthday girl
Anja and Nina Bodisch -- long time running partners. Nice to have you at camp this year.
Georgie and Chris -- Second time at Dryland. Adventure couple always on the lookout for something exciting to do.
Ad Cole -- the Iron Lady from George who needs no introduction.
Sanet Du Toit -- second time on this trail. Steady as a rock and takes part in everything. Two weeks ago Sanet ran two marathons in Spain.
Pieter and Andries -- Last time Pieter was also here and this time brought his Uncle.
Derrick Baard -- Winner last year. There will always be a challenger and Gershwin proved to be the MAN on the day.
Claudia and Andrew to be married
Jane and Dallas Barnardo famous trail runners
Mike and Lisa -- Ironman and couples winner
Michelle and Seath Scoby -- FUN is their middle name
Katherine and Chris v d Walt -- PE people and Kath is an ex-school contemporary of Stefan's wife -- Nicky
Lionel (Officer) Dyck; stalwart and companion to a group of us back markers.
Peter Pretorius. Biker, Hadida, Family Man and second time at Dryland.
Jaco Brink and Coenie -- Our neighbours on the camp
Chris and Yonette -- lawyer and accountant -- So Who's the Boss?
Sue and Liz -- Well done Oudtshoorn ladies.
Mauritz and son (a red flag man) Came to the camp with family
Carel Bezuidenhout -- Fear Factor; MTB'er; Singer and all round noisy chap
Bernard and Marizaan -- the backbone of this event
Gert the toothless red flag man -- whithout him I may have carried on to Oudtshoorn.
Carel Heroldt -- puts the whole event together.
THURSDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2012
THE TRIP TO OUDTSHOORN
Thursday morning; After dropping Ally at school John and I did our final packing and left town at around 8:20. We stopped for around an hour at Ena. John helped her fix her electric systems which seemed to have failed.
From there we drove through to George where I stopped at the mall to buy some shorts. We were driving at a really leisurely pace and as I left Oudtshoorn was caught speeding; Doing around 80km in a 60km area. Stefan had been caught by the same traffic camera.
John and I drove into the camp site: De Hoek where we immediately found the same camp site as last year. We claimed our site and started to put up the tent. Shade is a very important factor here and we were lucky to be able to put the tent under the trees. We found Stefan and moved his camp to next to us. We had plenty of time and were able to get ourselves ready and sit in the main tent until race briefing. Unfortunately Bernard did not show the fly over of day two. I had been so anticipating the dramatic Fly over with explanations.
MARC AND CAROL. MATCHING OUTFITS THAT CAROL WORKED SO HARD TO FIND.
CANGO CAVES PROLOGUE; WITH HEADLAMPS – NEXT YEAR, IF THE ORGANISERS GET IT RIGHT – WE MAY EVEN NEED HELMETS.
We took the busses to the Caves where we lined up to leave in 30 second intervals. John was one of the early leavers. Stefan and I left a few minutes later. The Cave section was amazing. It was a 900m section compared to last year 300m. We ran deep into the caves where you had to duck and this year there were less lights so the headlamps were important.
JOHN TAKES OFF ON HIS SOLO LEG OF THE CAVE RUN
O
CAREL HAS A CHIRP FOR EACH RUNNER
As we left the caves, many teams had passed us by this time, we ran down to the trail area where we ran along a hiking trail, over the farm lands and up some really tough hills. If you fortunate enough to start early then you also have the opportunity to see the Racing Snakes as they pass you. I am not good on hills but even worse when I am not yet warmed up. If I do this event again I should do a few kays warm up. Or Not? I think that I may prefer to come last.
The route takes the runner past some labourers homes, goat kraals and then up to the last hill. There is a downhill with some amazing views. The fast runners passed us at this stage; they had started way after us but passed us at this stage.
GOATS HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INTEREST IN US AT ALL.
Stefan and I came across Kim who has to walk as she has a plate in her foot. She was the only person who we were able to pass this afternoon. Kim would walk the entire four days. Her husband is Russell and unable to run as he is allergic to bee stings and a sting could be fatal if not treated immediately. We ran the last section under the entrance gate and up to the camp where we ran into the finish area. A post run shower has excellent recuperating power.
CAMP EVENING AND SUPPER
This evening the meal was excellent. After supper Carel took over and did some awards of Wine Bottles to the top three of each section. The evenings were amazingly beautiful. Every star shone extra brightly in the stillness of the Klein Karoo skies. There was almost no moon which allowed us to really appreciate the beauty of the skies. By 9pm I was in bed and shortly thereafter I was asleep
CLIMBING THE SWARTBERG MOUNTAIN.
Friday morning we had a really leisurely start to the day. Breakfast at 6 and then we readied ourselves for the days action. There were three groups; John was in group one and Stefan and I were in the group C.
After a short jog we cross the river and began a day of hiking. I was not having a good day today. The first section of the route is incredibly tough. You climb and climb; up and up. Steep hills and rocky sections which completely drains your strength. We were sweating heavily within minutes from the start. The first watering station is 8kays from the start. We had to work really hard to get to the 4kay mark. This took us about two hours. From there you are on contours which are not easy but certainly not as tough as the first section. We reached the water table after 3 hours. This past three hours should have been called the toughest section of the whole four days. Unfortunately it is not the hardest. The really vasbyt sections are still to come.
WATERING TABLES ON THE SWARBERG PASS.
It had been a hard slog. I was cramping at one stage. At the watering table I stocked up on food and drink. I needed as much as I could. The potatoes were really tasty. Carel’s wife had made rolled dates which is a great energy food. Also on offer are bananas, Dry wors, Fudge, Koeksusters, Coke and Nuun hydration drink. But Paula manages to find a Beer stuck under the table which was surely reserved for the seconding team?
From this station the road is a lot easier but I was simply too tired to jog. So Stefan and I continued to hike. It is a long hike along a jeep track. Not all down hill but much easier than the first 8km section. We were able to do the second 8kay in around 2 hours. We had jogged a total of about 500 meters.
FINAL 8KAYS OF THE SWARTBERG MOUNTAIN – 2 MORE HOURS OF CLIMBING UP AND THEN A REALLY TOUGH DOWNHILL SECTION OF LOOSE ROCKS AND HOT SUN.
Stefan and I had a bit of a shower using the bucket and cloth that they had for the runners. We again stocked up with Water, Food and drink before setting off for the final 8km section. In total todays stage turned out to be about 26km.
Stefan and I walked up the mountain trail to the neck. There was a nice cool breeze and we did not battle over this hill. Once at the neck you are able to see the camp site. I phoned Barbara. She told me that Ally’s U15 team had beating the U19 B team at Waterpolo 4-3. Quite a coup.
Stefan and I started the descent. The first part of the descent is not too bad with soft sand underfoot. However as you go further down and as you become increasingly tired, the pathway becomes really uncomfortable and rocky. There are almost no places where we were able to jog. Stefan and I both took a tumble.
Our legs and bodies were so tired that any slip could mean an injury. This descent goes on forever. Every now and again you are able to see the campsite but it does not seem to get closer. What we thought would be a short climb down took ages. Probably a full hour for the last 4 or 5kays. I was losing my sense of humour. Feeling faint and had to top up with glucose and fudge just to pick my sugar level up.
Finally after an absolute age we reached the camp site where we jogged into the finish. I was so tired. I cannot describe how sore and tired my legs and feet were. Before going for a shower we had a full plate of lunch which helped to revive me a bit. Then the shower was refreshing. But it was sitting down in a deck chair, chatting to John, Stefan and our neighbours was when I started to feel human again. My knee was hurting but at least my legs and feet stopped throbbing.
EVERYONE COMPLETES THE SWARTBERG MOUNTAIN STAGE.
A couple of PE people were behind us; Anja and Niina; Carol and Marc and Kim who we had met yesterday. Sanet had come in just ahead of us. Lionel Dyck was in a short while after us. Other teams were long in: Sheena and Sian, Mike and Liza, Chris and Georgie. John reported that he had been with Dallas for a good part of the run but towards the end had been unable to keep up. Jane had gone ahead early in the run. By the time we came in she was already giving massages to some of the runners. Not sure how she gets that right?
Saturday morning at Dryland – De Hoek.
We start the morning early – Wash, teeth, shave and ready ourselves with backpacks and running gear. Breakfast is at 6am. Porridge, cereal, yogurt, fruit, Eggs, sausage, cheese and bread. We are well fed. Coffee and we are ready to leave.
SWARTBERG PASS, DIE HELL AND ROCK CLIMBING TO “DIE OU TOL” AND “DIE TOP”
Busses leave at 7;30 for the Swarberg Pass. Stefan, John, Coenie, Jako are all in our
buss. We ride up to the top of the mountain. I am able to phone Barbara to let her know that we are all doing well. The busses off load us at Die Tol. One may be excused for thinking that the day starts off with a downhill. BUT: We start running at 9am; after a short downhill there is an immediate uphill. Stefan, Ad and I run as a team for a short while until Stefan finds that his water bladder has a hole and is leaking.
CLIMBING UP FROM THE PASS ALONG THE ROCKY SINGLE TRACK AND OVER A NUMBER OF HILLS BACK TO DIE TOL.
We reach the turn off up the hill. Here there is a long line of runners climbing up the steep hill into the trail. From here we hike for a while until we can do some jogging. Now Stefan and I are with Andrew and Claudia. We try to jog as much as possible. Stefan is battling without water so we share where we can.
Up and across the turn off to Die Hell. There is still a long pull uphill to the first water point. We reach the water table, top up on water and hydration. Stefan finds a small water bottle and carries this in his back pack. This is not enough and he must use my water. We reach Die Top and take some pics.
DOWN THE SWARTBERG PASS AND BACK TO CAMP
I run with Sue and Liz from Oudtshoorn for a while as well as Wally and Chippie . Stefan charges off. Ad Cole and I run together down to the second water table. The views along this section are fantastic. The pass was built by a series of engineers but in the end was given to Thomas Baines who completed the pass in 1888. This pass is now a world Heritage site. The distance from the start to Die Top is probably around 10kays. It took me a little over 100 minutes. The next section down to the second water table is around 11 kays and we reach this in about 3 hours. We now have about 10 kays to go and the first part is through farm lands on jeep tracks. Stefan and I are running easily.
Today we are having a good day. Despite the heat which is quite draining at about 35degrees C. We run on down to where the dirt road meets up with the Tar road. Now the heat is quite intense. Ad Cole joins us again. This girl just amazes us as she seems to have an ability to press on and on. Stefan and I fall behind a bit. Ad and the two girls from George go ahead. We turn left to De Hoek and on the final section we kind of walk jog to the finish. We have run a bit over 4 hours. A huge improvement on yesterday which we did in over 7 hours. Or as Carel would have said:’7 hours. And some change”. We learn that Jane had a most successful day and wins the ladies category.
FINISHING THE SWARTBERG PASS SECTION:
This morning early, before we started, I had asked Stefan for suggestions to protect myself against the burning sun. Yesterday I had become quite burnt, particularly around the neck, as I descended the last 7km. He suggested that I use the Buff (that I had been given in one of the Barnardo WILDRUN events in the Baakens River in PE). Stefan had also suggested that I use some of his suntan lotion spray. So in case anyone should ask: It was Stefan’s idea that I should complete this section in the Buff with only the spray as protection. I also noticed later on, that the top of my head was becoming sunburnt. This despite the fact that I was never in the sun without the cap. What I did not realise, until today, is that the top of my cap is see through and so offered less protection than I had first imagined.
I have lunch immediately after completing this section of the event. I need the calories and boost. I drink and drink to try to hydrate myself. We all go for a shower and refresh ourselves. I decide to not try to sleep as it is really too hot. Sian and Sheena come in followed by Anja and Nina. Carol and Marc follow shortly afterwards. Everyone is conscious of the heat. Wilde Fruit have a new hydration drink which John, Stefan and I drink cup after cup.
SHEENA’S BIRTHDAY AND SPRINGBOK RUGBY
It is Sheena’s Birthday and Jane brings a cake so that we can sing a Happy Birthday to her. Carol, Mark and others have their blisters pierced and doctored. Carol receives a prize for the loudest scream when having Methyolate injected into a blister. Stefan, John and I are fortunate that we do not have blisters at all.
Saturday evening is another fun affair as Carel entertains us with “unbelievable”; We are able to watch SA Rugby as the Springboks are on tour in the UK. This evening they play Ireland. Earlier on Argentina beat Wales in the Millenium stadium. Stefan tells me that he has been to the stadium in Dublin. The game is not a particularly pretty one from our point of view. We give away 11 penalties in the first half. This really upsets Nick Mallet (commentator). John Smit is also a commentator as is refreshingly supportive despite us trailing 12-6 in the first half. Shortly after starting the second half Ruan Pienaar, Playing at Scrum Half, Scores a try under the posts. This is the only try of the day. As far as I can remember there were very few opportunities for our back line to break and run. I don’t think that JP Pietersen (wing) was passed one running ball. The score ended 16-12 in our favour so we were not totally disappointed.
The doctor, who is a cyclist as well and would cycle past us on the run during the day, advised us that it would be 40 degrees C on Sunday morning and that we should start to hydrate this evening and during the night. Unfortunately Marc had a bit of Dehydration from Saturday (and probably the previous day as well) and was sick in the night. He was not able to start on Sunday morning. This made Carol quite emotional as he is a truly supportive husband on these trail runs.
Each evening, Carel does the awards and we are able to applaud the front runners who we would otherwise not see. Jane Barnardo did well coming down the Pass and wins the ladies event today. Mike and Liza have been on the podium each evening and will win the overall mixed team. Stefan and I unfortunately, mainly due to my really poor day in the mountains on Friday, will finish last Mens team. Bernard gives a race briefing. He shows us the map of the day to come. No amount of discussion or explanation takes the place of being on your feet and on the trail.
FINAL DAY AT DE HOEK CAMPSITE. 40 DEGREES C
Sunday morning:
I had been enjoying the Jacobs Coffee that was being served from a trailer on site. However the doctor had told us that this would not be the best Hydration drink so I skipped my morning coffee. I have been trying to have as much to eat at meal times as I am able. But this morning, Nerves or Exhaustion, I am not able to finish a bowl of porridge. Stefan and John seem to enjoy Bread and Peanut butter. What ever your preference, there is a solid breakfast waiting to be enjoyed. Cereal, fruit, porridge, Eggs and Sausage, Bread, cheese and jam. Our meals are 5 star events.
Going to the toilet is an essential part of the morning. This morning in particular as Bernard explains that the Raubenheimer dam serves the Oudtshoorn community and that no toilet activity is permitted near to this water. We load up in the waiting busses. The sun is already starting to burn us. Each day we find new friends; and there is a nervous chatter in the bus as we are taken to the start.
THE DAM; PHOTOS WITH THE DAM AS BACKDROP, EMOTIONS AS WE MISS MARC, LOOKING DOWN AT GERSHWIN, BENNIE AND DERRICK.
The athletes mill around. Dallas is the comedian with some funny underpants. He is not feeling his best today and will walk the course. An interesting couple that we met; Chris and Yonette have this tow rope between them. This allows them to run together particularly on the uphills where Chris is the stronger. They live on a farm outside of Pietermaritzburg and appear to enjoy doing these events. Certainly the Traverse has been good for them. It is a long way for them to drive all the way to Oudtshoorn but I think that they have made a worthwhile trip. Chippie and Wally are another couple who run together. Moved from the BIG city to the republic of Hout Bay. You can see their house when you run through the hottest part of the Two Oceans 56 they tell me.
One of the best parts of being at this event is the wonderful friends that we have made; strengthening some and making new friends.
I have met Katherine and Chris from PE. Katherine is a year or two older that my daughter (and Stefan’s wife) Nicky, and was at Collegiate at the same time. I meet a really fun couple: Seath and Michelle Skowby. Seath spends his day supporting Marc and Carol up in the mountains. He is funny and fun to be with. Michelle keeps everyone in camp awake with her giggling. I must remember, if I go back next year, that I must either camp as far away from this group as possible. OR I must join them and be part of the fun and laughter. Tough choice!
We had some good neighbours where we camped. Coennie and Jaco. They are from CT and have been pals for many years. This team of men had a great experience this weekend. Coennie was quite sad to hear that there was no medal. However at the end of Sunday’s run he was vindicated as we each received a medal. For myself I was so happy to have received the Running T shirt and the long sleeved, close fitting top that could be used for any event where you need to keep warm.
The event organisers are certainly very generous with their handouts and gifts. Fairview Wines are the main sponsors of this event. Each evening there would be a prize giving with Lucky Draws of bottles of wine. We even received a gift pack of cheese and biscuits which went down very well. Another sponsor is Wilde Fruit who supplied us with Juice and Hydration drinks (Nuun) both during and after each stage.
RAUBENHEIMER DAM AND THREE HILLS CLIMB
Sunday we start off at the Dam. As always Stefan and I hang around at the back so that we are not in the way of the faster groups. We jog around the dam enjoying the cool effect that the water has. Then comes the first climb up a pathway. This morning starts off with three tough climbs. The third is a steep pathway. If you look to your left you can see the dam which we will soon be passing. But first you have to trudge up the hill and around the koppie to get there.
Once the three hills are over we can make up some time. I had started the morning stiff and sore. My legs did not want to function. But I know myself. As I warm up I can start to get going again. Stefan remarks: “His diesel engine has kicked in”. We run from here to the first watering table. All I need is lots to drink. The prediction of 40 Degrees C has proven accurate and we are needing every drop of water we can force down. Stefan has had to run with just two small bottles as his water bladder is damaged. And he likes to drink a huge amount.
We press on and jog for a long section. AD Cole catches us. She recons that the last Kay was her fastest for a long while. There are a couple of hills before we cross the stream. We see some ostriches and Cattle in the fields and very few people on the road. These tracks and roads belong to a local farmer who has a lovely cottage on the property. We reach the new shed and the last of a series of dams.
THORN VALLEY HILLS
From here we enter what I call “Thorn Valley”. It is a tough section along a narrow path where you are bound to have at least a few scratches on your arms and legs as you stumble your way uphill. We reach the fence, walk down to the sloot, duck under the fence and then make our way up and up until we see Bernard waiting for us at the top. I had met him here last year. Same Place! From the top of this neck we make our way down hill along a river bed until we reach the tar road next to the entrance to the Caves. There is a bit of a short steep climb before we see the second water table.
Here Marc is helping out. Marizaan (Bernards friend) is here again. She was here last year. For some reason, out of all the people on the trail, she insists on calling me Mr. I may have persuaded her that I am not so fierce but will have to see next year.
I do not wet my face with cold water as we have been doing. This is on advice from the Doctor who advises us that this could bring on Sunstroke. But again I stock up with eats and drink as much as I can. Two cups of Nuun and one cup of coke has been my standard fare for these tables. Today I am not able to eat much as I have no appetite for more to eat.
DEATH VALLEY HILL
No Carel; You simply cannot call this an Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy section. We head down into the last 7 kays of the Traverse. On Thursday evening this section had been tough but nothing like it would be this morning. The sun was burning down on us. Once we started the long climb up there was no shade and I found myself sipping water every few steps. I made a mind determination that I would walk non stop to the top. The climb is very long and once you reach the top there is a second (hidden) climb to the neck. Over the neck. Trish promises entertainment at the end if we get there first. (She lied; I think that it was her daughter who scared her off). Stefan and I jog down the next hill to where the geese and goats are (not) watching us.
GERT; THE TOOTHLESS MARSHALL WITH THE RED FLAG
Once past the labourers homes we make our way uphill to the watering table 2.5. Again I refrain from the water over the head but have a cup of cold water before literally charging down the steep hill to the final section of tar road. Gert the flag man is waiting for us. He has a kind of friendly (toothless) smile and greets us with enthusiasm. He waves his flag and shows us that we should turn right. Stefan insists we should jog to the rock fall. Walk a bit, Jog to the Bridge. Walk a bit, jog to the main gate, Walk a bit, and then once we reach the camp site we jog into the finish line to Carels comment of: here comes Stefan, Sarel and Peter 3;5 hours (and some change).
FAREWELL 2011 TEAM. SEE YOU IN NOVEMBER 2013.
The teams from PE have done really well. Mike Kingston and Liza Bright win the mixed couple; Jane Barnardo is there about, Carol wins her own battles, Sian and Sheena stay married; Seath finds a new way of cooling off in the heat of the Swartberg mountain section, John, Stefan (honorary PE member) and I have fun as a group; Andrew and Claudia get engaged in the pool after finishing the final section; Michelle giggles her way to sleep each night; Peter Pretorius who came on a Motor Bike last year, comes in his bakkie and has the rearview mirror damaged as a Hadida flies into the car. Dallas is just Dallas; Marc takes on two rolls as runner and seconder.
Okay so that is now over. Shower, dismantle the tent, stretchers, kit and pack for the home drive. Stefan has a flat and is assisted by someone with a pump. He is able to drive to Oudtshoorn and fill the tyre with Tyreweld. And drives home safely.
The final couple of hours of the weekend consist of waiting for all the runners to come in. Lionel and Kim walk in. Anja and Nina have had a tough four days but they too complete the distance. Finally Sian and Seath bring Sheena and Carol to the finish. We have a solid lunch, Carel does the awards and lucky draws (Stefan is a winner of a cap and a hip belt). Bernard says farewell to his flock. A couple of us from last year gather for a photo but by this time most of the participants have left.
Well done Dryland. You put on an amazing event. All of us want to let you know how much we appreciate the effort that you go to making the Traverse a really memorable adventure. Four days, three nights of amazing activity. From the winners: Gershwin, Eddie and Derrick; Ingrid and the rest of the ladies to us back markers who make for the most work – thanks to every member of the Dryland team.
It is a really unfortunate afternoon. As John and I pass Jeffreys Bay – St Francis is burning. The 80kmph wind has taken a spark and carried a raging fire across the thatch roofs so that around 120 homes are burned – completely ruined. No injuries but estimated R500 Million damages.
