Welcome to the 2020 edition of this annual challenge,
VIRTUAL RUN - yes, there will be a virtual gathering using strava - details here
PHYSICAL RUN - please adhere to all social distancing requirements
Date: Sunday 25 October 2020
Time: Start @ 6:15am (might seem early, but you get an AWESOME early view from Devil's peak)
Who: GSB students, staff, alumni (plus those in the know!)
preregistration: GSB sign up form here, please use the cellphone number that we will add to the challenge WhatsApp group in the days before for final info
here is the whatsapp link https://chat.whatsapp.com/BbHNBjmTXd7L2DKnsmfmC7
Cost: a donation towards our chosen charity RLabs will give you good karma
Where: Rhodes Memorial parking lot- COVID restrictions need to be adhered to GoogleMaps
Finish: Top of lionshead
Afterwards: there is no formal activity planned
Race briefing - 6:10am
This is a "self service" challenge, you are spending a morning (or day) in the mountains, and should plan accordingly. Decent shoes to take on hiking trails, a backpack with some food, FULLY CHARGED PHONE, sunscreen, jacket, and 1.5l water to start. Excellent optional extras are a space blanket and whistle. We will provide you with basic maps, and a briefing at the start, but it is RECOMMENDED to study the information on the ROUTE page beforehand, as well as downloading what you might use electronically.
There will be a whatsapp group to keep track of all on the mountain. During the day this is primarily a safety mechanism to update your position, and any changes (if you're lost/shortcoursing). PLEASE do not flood it with jokes/videos, but a well timed selfie on a peak is not totally discouraged.
IN CASE OF SEVERE EMERGENCY - if you can't get hold of anyone and the situation is out of control, the direct contact is Wilderness Search and Rescue - 021 937 0030
Along the way (Run):
Devil's peak is tough. It includes about half the total climbing of the full route, the view is a 360' vantage from Cape Town waking up - serious selfie time, but can be a bit windy.
The route from Devil's peak saddle is marked with cairns (piles of rocks left by hikers to show the way) and will have chalk arrows (if you're behind the guy carrying them!). Once at the ledges itself you need to keep your eyes out for these as it is not a commonly taken path. There is a "chimney" section where you go through a crack in the rocks. It is simple to do, but requires one to take off their backpack. If you end up at a cul de sac, you might have walked past this point.
The final obstacle is a 3m scramble. This can be done alone, and will have the best route indicated with chalk. If you're not confident climbing the pitch it is suggested to do it in pairs, so wait if alone.
There is water in the river that runs through here - this is the 1st of only 2 water points, so stop and fill up if you need to.
Maclear's beacon is roughly SouthWest from the river, but it is very flat so hard to see until close.
Be careful for other hikers once descending platteklip gorge.
At the base of Platteklip will be your 2nd and final water stop from the river.
Watch out for cars once on Tafelberg road, and especially crossing Kloof nek onto signal hill.
Join the crowds once on Lion's head..well done once on top.
please check in with your time once you are there
Along the way (hike)
There are multiple options for reducing the length of your hike, namely:
skipping the final devil's peak section to the beacons
going north to tafelberg road once at Devil's peak saddle(skipping Ledges/Maclear's beacon)
Lions Head itself.