Drakensberg FKTs - Definition and Rules

Interesting video - thanks for sharing. Didn't know there were fixed lines on the Matterhorn (although I guess I shouldn't be surprised).

I know that Ueli Steck skipped the fixed lines when he broke the record on Eiger North Face, but I don't have a problem with using something that is already fixed, and is available for everyone.

I'm not saying that what he does isn't impressive, or even that it is his fault for the way advertising hype ignores the legends of the past, just that it bugs me when there is a disregard for history. If he beats the record with a harder route, I don't have a problem, but if he has a slower time and still claims it as an FKT - then it is a different story.

ghaznavid wrote: Just found this article online - it is more than a year old, but still interesting:
www.outsideonline.com/1927476/fkt-kilian-jornets-insane-new-sport

Old post and not Drakensberg related - but Jornet has just completed his attempt on the Everest FKT. He did it from Tibet in 26h base camp to summit (exact time not available yet). He was sick and throwing up along the way - quite crazy to keep going like that! That was without supplemented oxygen or fixed lines.

The FKT from Nepal is about 20h.

He planned on doing an out-and-back continuous push, but had to bail at ABC on the way back due to being too sick to push on.

Story at:
www.outsideonline.com/2187266/kilian-jornet-summits-everest-fastest-known-time

and that is how people die
You have a better chance to play Russian roulette - the guys doing these extreme FTKs flip coins with their lives.

Morning guys.

Does anyone know of the current FKT on the Drakensberg Northern Traverse?
Namely
Sentinel car park - chain ladders - Mont aux sources summit -across whichever way - Bell traverse - and ending at the hikers parking near Cathedral Peak Hotel.
Have I got that right?

There is some detail around it on the Mini Hike Reports thread, page 18, from AndrewP. It seems you, GriffBaker and simedejong may be the current FKT holders, in the absence of anyone else claiming a faster time.

The Drakensberg Northern Traverse is not a fixed route, and you can descend back to Cathedral Peak Hotel via any of the passes in the area, although Bell Traverse and Mlambonja Pass would be the more commonly used ones. I am also under the impression that it is not essential to tag Mont-Aux-Sources peak summit, but you are maybe just referring to passing through the area around the summit of the Amphitheatre, between the escarpment and Mont-Aux-Sources.

To the best of my knowledge there is no formal FKT for the Drakensberg Northern Traverse, and I know of no rules either. Generally the first person to try gets to set the rules. If the rules make sense everyone else will happily follow them.

I did Mont-aux-Sources on my attempt because I was actually try a full GT then. It might be good to transfer Mont-aux-Sources to the Northern Traverse as well, or alternatively, put on say Mount Amery and force people to take the escarpment route.

A peak near the end such as Easter Peak might be good to include, or if forcing the Bell traverse maybe even throw in Cathedral peak. This helps "define" the route but can add a lot of extra effort. So, for example, on the full GT, Giants Castle helps force people back to the escarpment, but anyone who has done it will agree with me that it is a really nasty piece of work mid GT. Cathedral Peak might also be too technical for masses to want to try at the end of a long day, possibly even in the dark.

Maybe include the summit of Black and Tan Wall as well, which is mid route and not too far out of the way.

It would also be good to define an exact point as the finish at the hotel. Ideally this point can be used as the start/finish of any FKT in the area and would work if you come down either Mlambonja Pass or the Bell Traverse. The steps in front of the reception area might work, or it might even be best to move a bit away from the hotel to the sharp bend in the tar road just as it start going up the hill to the hotel.

Thanks guys. Makes sense that the first person to attempt a FKT gets to set the rules, provided the make sense.

Personally I think just tagging Mont aux-sources summit in the beginning is enough for me. I wouldn't want to do Cathedral in the dark, to dangerous on a tired body.

Seems as though I will probably go the same route as we did previously with Griffbaker and Simon. Just go faster for an FKT.