Drakensberg FKTs - Record of Times

@ Ghaz

The whole point of a vertical km is to reduce horizontal distance. On steep ground, horizontal speed is not a factor, all that counts is rate of ascent. So, stop worrying about the short distance covered, and focus on 1000m gain in 63 minutes, which is fast. That is probably the equivalent of Mnweni pass in about 36 minutes.

If I could find one, I would do a vertical km on a 45 degree granite slab, in climbing shoes. It would be very scary, but the fastest way up.

I think the best options in the berg are langies or greys.

So the World Record for a vertical km is 29m42s, on what is well-known as the fastest course in the world - straight up an old funicular track in Fully, Switzerland. It gains the required 1000m vertical in just 1.9km! Plenty of videos on YouTube to give you an idea of the suffering involved..

www.skyrunning.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Best-Performance-record-2016.pdf

Another eye-popping record on that list is total ascent in 24 hours at 17675m!

Blaker wrote: I know Iain Don-Wauchope did a "little" training run up Champagne, via Grays Pass and back down Ship's Prow in 07:45 last year. In his words "2,5hrs to top of Grays, 1hr explore on top, 1/2 hour across to Ships Prow, 2hrs down Ship's Prow and 1:45 contour path, Sphinx and back to Monks Cowl"!! That's pretty impressive

This caught my eye. I would love to know what the starting and finishing points was on this route. Whilst I hold Ian's abilities in high esteem, thinking on this route as described and the various challenges this presents the trail runner, It does come across as superhuman in the time quoted. Would love some verification of this as this is indeed one super tough training run and equal stellar time. I'm just curious and would love this to be true and not just a "legend" as it will be a benchmark for future type efforts I'm sure

@Andrew: Mnweni Pass in 36 minutes would be quite something! I'm guessing the closest to a 45 degree granite slab for 1km vertical is somewhere at Yosemite. Technically the Nose is a vertical km...

@Stijn: That is fast.

Just to jump in here, you guys must watch "Valley Uprising". Its about the climbing culture at Yosemite. Also within is a young guy who breaks a few records within 24 hours.

sorry for this but it's been bothering me for a week or more.. is it just me or does anyone else smile with the constant realisation that FKT is short for F##K IT?

ASL wrote: sorry for this but it's been bothering me for a week or more.. is it just me or does anyone else smile with the constant realisation that FKT is short for F##K IT?

Going to be stuck in a lot of heads, now that you mention it!

Hahahaha indeed!!!

I was fine...until you mentioned it. So thanks! :-P

It must just be you ASL.