Mafadi FKT

@Smurf, That was most likely Ryno Griesel (current Berg Traverse record-holder) and Dreyer van Huyssteen - they did some long runs in the snow this weekend. I expect another traverse record from Ryno soon...

Sorry to hear Stijn. I must add that it was only on my fourth attempt that I got that section between Marble Baths and the foot of Leslie's perfect and it also came much quicker than expected.

It's still an amazing adventure/mission, with so many things to consider and elements to negotiate.

georgelouw wrote: Sorry to hear Stijn. I must add that it was only on my fourth attempt that I got that section between Marble Baths and the foot of Leslie's perfect and it also came much quicker than expected.

It's still an amazing adventure/mission, with so many things to consider and elements to negotiate.

It looks different to me everytime. Patience is really a requirement on this section.

I have sympathy with your situation whilst in the Buttress Fork valley Stijn. One uses the Molar as the marker for the spur that forms the foot of Leslie's, with thick mist this is obviously not possible. We also bundu bashed one late afternoon in the mist up there some years ago, and indeed had no reference to the base (I did not use GPS at the time). From that trip I learned to use a different point of reference: the confluence of the Buttress Fork Stream and stream coming down the valley directly north of Leslie's has a prominent head in the river bed. I unfortunately do not have a photo of it. GPS coords 29ᴼ09’26.47”S 29ᴼ22’12.73”E. Once you reach that point all that remains is skirting south around this head and clockwise about 200m around the bushy area and you reach the southern camp site below Leslies. FWIW.

@ George, yes one of my absolute favourite areas in the Berg.

JonWells wrote:

Stijn wrote: @Smurf, That was most likely Ryno Griesel (current Berg Traverse record-holder) and Dreyer van Huyssteen - they did some long runs in the snow this weekend. I expect another traverse record from Ryno soon...

I know they must be very experienced in high altitude running, but I wonder what would happen if one of them picked up a serious injury up there in the falling snow with no warm clothing

Agreed, hence me begrudgingly taking the 4-5kg pack with emergency gear, especially as I was solo. Regardless of how fast you may be going, the mountains still need to be respected...

Amazing reading all these updates over time. George Louw take a bow!! That record will stand for a while. When I had the record it came completely by accident as it was part of the 9 Peaks solo record and I carried a full pack for three days (I am generally nervous and enjoy comforts). Subsequently it has been shown that if you focus on this one target and can cut down to the bare minimum you can expect some amazing times. Who will have the next crack?

First we had an ascent of Mafadi and back before you could braai decent sized wors - now they are making braais on the summit instead - this time the chopper does the hard work:

homegrown.24.com/first-braai-highest-point-south-africa/

On Sunday the man behind National Braai Day, Jan Braai (Jan Scannell) became the first person to braai on the top of the highest point in South Africa,

Ahhhh...wors rolls I can just smell them now. How cool is that. I suppose we can turn a blind eye to a helli in the berg on national braai day