Drakensberg Challenges

Hi guys

AndrewP and myself had an interesting discussion this morning regarding a means of challenging each other.

The basic system is this:
1) Any VE member can make a list of 5 hikes that they have done that they enjoyed and were challenged by. They can specify part of a hike or an entire route.
2) There may be parameters for the hike, e.g. a time frame, or even a dress code - but you may only add this if you did it yourself. Addition of parameters is optional.
3) Anyone who accepts the challenge must complete all 5 defined hikes, and seeing as there is no prize involved, no proof (photos or GPS) of achievement is required.
4) When a member has completed all 5 challenges, they must provide some details of the trip (approx dates, who they went with etc) and it is up to the challenger to award them. The original challenge post will then be updated to show the names of those who have completed the challenge.
5) As to whether or not RPH (recognition of prior hiking) is allowed, that depends on the challenger's challenge.

For example

I did up Cockade Pass, bagged Elephant, Leopard and Twins Top, went down Bell Traverse and bagged the Outer Pudding in a day. Any of the following would constitute a valid challenge:
- Do a day hike up or down Cockade Pass
- Do a day hike on which you bag the Elephant and the Outer Pudding
- Do a hike bagging Twins Top and using the Bell Traverse
- Do a loop between Cockade Pass and the Bell Traverse while wearing a beige long sleeved shirt
- Park at the hikers parking at Didima and bag 3 khulus and a 2000+m named peak in less than 48 hours
- Bag 3 khulus and a 2000+m peak as part of a day hike

I.e. as long as you have done a hike that meets your criteria, you can challenge others to it.

I recommend that the challenges vary and get progressively harder.

I will put some thought into 5 worthwhile challenges over the next few days, but in the meanwhile would like to hear what you guys think of the idea.

Sounds like a good idea

Would be interested in what happens with this in the future...

I am going to kick this off.

In 1 day, hike up one pass and down another pass, car to car. Thus a small traverse of the escarpment is needed. To make it a bit more difficult you can only count chain ladder and beacon buttress gully if you hike from Mahai.

A good number of people can sign up immediately but it does need some effort.

Forgot to post my 5 challenges:
1) Climb Popple
2) Do an hike that includes going up or down Cockade Pass
3) Bag 3 khulus in a day, starting and finishing the day in your bed*
4) Bag Thabana Ntlenyana (from a KZN Wildlife car park, not from Sani Top)
5) Complete a GT

In the last 365 days I have completed all of these challenges. I have actually done 2, 3 and 5 twice in the last 365 days!

*I deliberately did not specify that your bed has to be in your home when you leave it or return to it

AndrewP wrote: In 1 day, hike up one pass and down another pass, car to car. Thus a small traverse of the escarpment is needed. To make it a bit more difficult you can only count chain ladder and beacon buttress gully if you hike from Mahai.

Good challenge

No excuses on that one - up Langies down South Hlubi (or the other way round) is 22km and with a 5kg pack can be done by anyone with some level of fitness. Now here's the question - can AndrewP do that loop in under 2h30?

ghaznavid wrote: 3) Bag 3 khulus in a day, starting and finishing the day in your own bed*
*I deliberately did not specify that your bed has to be in your home when you leave it or return to it

It has been pointed out to me that this may not be fair to certain other people, so I will remove the word "own" from the definition. Bed is defined as the place you slept the day before and after the hike, but does not include anything in a tent or car. Caravans are permissible.