Nr. 01
To complete the 2014 RASA. Settle the score.
NON-STOP SWEAT AND SPLENDOUR:
2300 km MOUNTAIN BIKE race, non stop and unassisted, starting in Pietermaritzburg in mid-June every year and following South Africa's Freedom Trail to end in Wellington outside Cape Town
WHEN:
Mid June - mid July
WHO CAN ENTER:
Limited field of maximum 60 participants
DISTANCE:
2300 kms
RACE ROUTE:
From Pietermaritzburg along the Freedom Trail through the Karoo to Paarl (outside Cape Town). For fuller description view the RACE ROUTE
Interested? Send us your provisional enquiry - ENTER HERE
GEO-PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:
· Geography: ranges from coastal to mountainous to semi-desert (the race covers six terrestrial biomes)
· Anticipated temperatures: range from 30 degrees Celcius to minus 10 degreees Celcius
· Altitude variation: Cumulative ascent 37 000 metres
· Highest point: 2700 metres above sea level
Nr. 02
Machame Route on Kilimanjaro
About the Machame route on Kilimanjaro
If you are considering climbing Kilimanjaro via what is sometimes referred to as the ‘whiskey route’, we have included some interesting facts and advice on increasing your chances of success upon the machame route on Kilimanjaro. Now just because the machame route on Kilimanajro is reffered to as the whiskey route, does not mean that it is compulsory to down a bottle of whiskey upon reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro. In fact, here is our first bit of advice when climbing the machame route on Kilimanjaro-DO NOT DOWN A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY ON THE SUMMIT!! The Machame route on Kilimanjaro is considerered easier than the Umbwe route and therefore has a greater success rate. The route approaches what is known as Kibo from the south-western side and is probably seen as one of the most scenic hikes on Mount Kilimanjaro. To make your experience on Kilimanjaro a tad more comfortable, we arrange for all your supplies and camping equipment to be carried up this majestic mountain by our reliable and friendly porter team. Although the porter team are truly amazing, they do not possess Spiderman superpowers, so we ask that your personal baggage limit is 12 kg for the climb. Tents and sleeping mats are supplied on our trips. Each trip is lead by a senior guide, with other guides in a ratio of approximately one guide per 2 or 3 climbers – if you are a bit slower than the rest or get ill and have to descend, a guide will always be with you
Nr. 03
The Destination:
The Witteberg is a South African mountain range just off the south-west corner of Lesotho. The range, which rises to 2408 metres, stretches for about 60km from Lundin’s Nek in the east to Lady Grey in the west. The range lends its name to the Witteberg Series, the uppermost fossiliferous sequence of the Cape System of sedimentary rocks in South Africa. The race starts in the town of Lady Grey which is famous for its annual Nativity Play and its quaint houses and incredible scenery. Discover the wonder of Balloch cave along the route with it bushman art and idyllic setting nestled between some of the highest peaks in the Witteberg.
The Witteberg range is one of the most picturesque places in South Africa with some distinctive peaks like Avoca and Halston Peaks dominating the skyline.
The Terrain:
The Salomon SkyRun is true mountain running with a variety of terrain from hiking paths that lead you up to the tower, some jeep track is a welcome relief from the majority of the terrain which is on the mountain side as this is a self-supported and self-navigation the route choice is very much in the hands of the individual competitors. Once you have left the town of Lady Grey behind the beauty and remoteness of these mountains soon engulfs you and it is not uncommon to run for the entire race without seeing much civilization around you except those involved in the race.
The fauna and flora is incredible and there are over 650 plant and 80 animal species know to habitat the mountains of the Witteberg.
The Trail:
The Salomon SkyRun and SkyRun Lite are unique in that they are truly self-supported and self-navigational races, where athletes tackle the remote terrain of the Witteberg Mountain range with a Map a Compass or GPS unit and a back pack containing all there food, water and compulsory equipment that will enable them to survive in this harsh environment, while operating at an average height of between 2200-2500 meters above sea level.
The trail starts in Lady Grey and the first 65km of the route is the same for both races, after the compulsory stop and medical check at Balloch are the Skyrunners allowed to continue while the Lite runners have completed their journey. The route climbs sharply out of Lady Grey to the first check point at the Tower; this is about a 12km run and is a combination of hiking trails and mountain running. As you climb the trail to the tower the majestic landscape unfolds in front of you and it now feels as if you are on top of Africa. Following the fence line you make your way along the ridge line to the second check point which is at Olympus, this is another 10km and the terrain is now devoid of paths and trails and athletes must decide which is the best route to the check point. After Olympus the athletes can pick up a small trail that will lead them to Snowden
which is check point 3 another 11km or so, there is a natural spring just past Snowden where you can fill up your water bladders (does depend on how much rain has fallen so not always guaranteed a lot of water) before making your way to Avoca Peak the highest point (2756m) on the race. The climb up Avoca peak is challenging as the gradient is steep and the terrain is rough especially after good summer rain. From Avoca the route takes you over the “Dragonback” a ridge line that is about 3 meters wide with steep descends on either side, a fantastic formation of rock that is a feature of the race and a spectacular viewing point on a clear day. The route flattens out for a while as you move towards CP6 at Skidor which is again a leg of about 10km. At Skidor you descend into the valley down a technical descend before picking up the river that will lead you to the compulsory stop at Balloch Cave having now covered about 65km of the race.
Once Athletes have done their medical and been give the all clear by the doctor, it upwards and onwards as they take on the challenge of Balloch Wall a climb with a vertical ascent of over 500m in just 3km and back down the other side on the way to CP 8 at Edgehill Farm. Most athletes will now be operating in the dark as night fall will have replaced the harsh African sun. Navigating through the Bridal Pass from EdgeHill to the turn is tricky with a lot of athletes losing a lot of time trying to find the correct entrance into the pass that will lead them onto the ridgeline again. The Bridal pass has now been included as a waypoint on the route to assist athletes in negotiating the pass. A steady climb up the Pass will take you onto the ridgeline and to the check point at the Turn. From here you will double back toward the Wartrail Country Club via Halston Peak which is the last check point on the route. The climb down from Halston’s is technical and is made more difficult by the fact that you are very fatigued at this stage but buoyed by the fact that you are now heading to the finish at Wartrail Country Club.
The Event:
The Salomon SkyRun is an Epic Mountain run of 100km considered by many athletes to be the toughest Trail Run in South Africa. The event is made up of two options the SkyRun Lite a 65km one day run or the big daddy of trail the 100km SkyRun. The event takes place in early Nov each year and is unique in that the event is self-supported and athletes must navigate themselves between the check points on the route. This is one of the few runs that is unmarked and un-supported and this is one of the reasons that it is considered to be such a challenge and a must for most serious trail runners. Entries are limited to 250 athletes for both events.
The 100km run is not recommended if you are a novice/beginner trail runner, and proof of previous trail event finishes may be required. Rather opt for the 65km run presented on the same weekend.
Nr. 04
Ibiza Clubbing 2013 - in the World's Party Capital
The original Ibiza club guide. Club tickets. All the up-to-date dates, news, views, interviews, soundbites, opinion, fact and everything in between.
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