Who is doing or has done the Grand Traverse
13 Jan 2012 11:46 #5278
by Stijn
Replied by Stijn on topic Who is doing or has done the Grand Traverse
Well Cobus has always said that should Ryno go for it alone, sub-50 hours is definitely on. Don't think Ryno wants to go solo though - so he needs to find an equally beastly partner.
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13 Jan 2012 16:35 #5279
by Beuler
Replied by Beuler on topic Who is doing or has done the Grand Traverse
WOW that is an amazing record but no doubt it will be shattered in future. Some people never fail to amaze me! As for me, just doing it will be good enough for now.....
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13 Jan 2012 18:44 #5280
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Who is doing or has done the Grand Traverse
Someone like Ryan Sandes will probably run the whole way, he does quite a bit of training on the escarpment already. I suggested the GT to him a couple months ago & he said it looked awesome
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24 Feb 2012 02:19 #53110
by Trail and Tar
Replied by Trail and Tar on topic Who is doing or has done the Grand Traverse
Trail and Tar a running and cycling store based in Tokai is proud to announce our support of TEARS (The Emma Animal Rescue Society). It is the aim of Trail and Tar to raise awareness and funds for animals in need through adventure activities.
Myself (Sean Fraenkel) and Bruce Davis will attempt to hike the Drakensberg Grand Traverse to raise funds to help alleviate some of the financial burdens of TEARS and create awareness of abused and neglected animals.
To raise funds we are having a lucky draw competetion with some really cool prizes. Visit www.trailandtar.co.za or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.
I am hoping to do the traverse end march 2012.
Myself (Sean Fraenkel) and Bruce Davis will attempt to hike the Drakensberg Grand Traverse to raise funds to help alleviate some of the financial burdens of TEARS and create awareness of abused and neglected animals.
To raise funds we are having a lucky draw competetion with some really cool prizes. Visit www.trailandtar.co.za or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.
I am hoping to do the traverse end march 2012.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Anile Peiser
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27 Feb 2012 10:40 #53114
by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Who is doing or has done the Grand Traverse
Ok, so I am officially doing a GT in April...
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28 Feb 2012 07:37 - 28 Feb 2012 07:38 #53122
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Who is doing or has done the Grand Traverse
I see things are gearing up for the upcoming "GT season".
@Trail and Tar: welcome. Hope the fund-raising and hike goes well!
@ghaznavid: awesome, enjoy!
PS: if you mention your upcoming plans to do a GT on this thread, you are obligated post a write-up afterwards.
@Trail and Tar: welcome. Hope the fund-raising and hike goes well!
@ghaznavid: awesome, enjoy!
PS: if you mention your upcoming plans to do a GT on this thread, you are obligated post a write-up afterwards.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Last edit: 28 Feb 2012 07:38 by intrepid.
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14 Mar 2012 08:09 #53224
by Sydney Daniel
Replied by Sydney Daniel on topic Who is doing or has done the Grand Traverse
Hi There
We're also doing a DGT from 2-17 April, hiking southwards. We're a group of friends, 8 of us, most of them from CT and then me the sole Vaalie. We're hiking 16 days, 2 rest days, 2 supply points (Gray's Pass and Sani/Thabana Ntlenyana). We hope to run into some of you along on the way.
Does anybody know the current state of affairs regarding security? We're taking motion sensors, pepper spray and air horns, and plan on taking turns at standing guard through the night at some overnight points. Some of the stories I've found on the net are really scary, and this is our biggest concern at the moment.
Can any of you advize on areas to watch out for?
Regards,
Sydney
We're also doing a DGT from 2-17 April, hiking southwards. We're a group of friends, 8 of us, most of them from CT and then me the sole Vaalie. We're hiking 16 days, 2 rest days, 2 supply points (Gray's Pass and Sani/Thabana Ntlenyana). We hope to run into some of you along on the way.
Does anybody know the current state of affairs regarding security? We're taking motion sensors, pepper spray and air horns, and plan on taking turns at standing guard through the night at some overnight points. Some of the stories I've found on the net are really scary, and this is our biggest concern at the moment.
Can any of you advize on areas to watch out for?
Regards,
Sydney
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14 Mar 2012 08:25 #53225
by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Who is doing or has done the Grand Traverse
Spend a night in Roland's Cave - you would be the first group of hikers ever to record an attack happening there, and its in a high traffic for smugglers area
I only start my GT on 21 April, doing south to north, if you guys finished a bit later our groups might have passed each other...
I only start my GT on 21 April, doing south to north, if you guys finished a bit later our groups might have passed each other...
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14 Mar 2012 12:44 #53230
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Who is doing or has done the Grand Traverse
Welcome to this community Sydney.
The horror stories you have read are probably the ones from the Giants Castle area. Security issues there have a long history going back many years. In recent times, 2005-2006 was a particularly bad patch. Since then I've heard of ice climbers loosing unattended packs, and rocks being thrown at hikers coming up passes, but we seem to have some respite from violent ambushes. It may have something to do with the fact that some of the culprits of the Easter 2005 incident were prosecuted in Lesotho, but thats just speculation and I don't imagine that things will magically get better.
I did traverses in both 2005 and 2006 (in fact we were out there one week after the Easter 2005 incident) and my tactic was to cross the Giants area in one long day. We camped near Judges Pass (mind the smugglers though!) and pushed through to The Tent in one day. That way we avoided sleeping over in the bad areas, particularly Langalibalele Pass area and the Jarateng Valley. You may want to do the same.
The other areas haven't had issues on the same scale as Giants Castle, so you don't have to worry as much. Petty theft at night is definitely a consideration though, particularly in areas like Organ Pipes Pass and around Thabana Ntlenyana. Tugela Falls is an obvious problem area but you won't sleep there normally on a GT.
Go through the Security category both on this forum and in the blogs. Lots of info and tips there. If you have more questions about security feel free to post in the security section.
All the best for the trip and let us know how it goes!
The horror stories you have read are probably the ones from the Giants Castle area. Security issues there have a long history going back many years. In recent times, 2005-2006 was a particularly bad patch. Since then I've heard of ice climbers loosing unattended packs, and rocks being thrown at hikers coming up passes, but we seem to have some respite from violent ambushes. It may have something to do with the fact that some of the culprits of the Easter 2005 incident were prosecuted in Lesotho, but thats just speculation and I don't imagine that things will magically get better.
I did traverses in both 2005 and 2006 (in fact we were out there one week after the Easter 2005 incident) and my tactic was to cross the Giants area in one long day. We camped near Judges Pass (mind the smugglers though!) and pushed through to The Tent in one day. That way we avoided sleeping over in the bad areas, particularly Langalibalele Pass area and the Jarateng Valley. You may want to do the same.
The other areas haven't had issues on the same scale as Giants Castle, so you don't have to worry as much. Petty theft at night is definitely a consideration though, particularly in areas like Organ Pipes Pass and around Thabana Ntlenyana. Tugela Falls is an obvious problem area but you won't sleep there normally on a GT.
Go through the Security category both on this forum and in the blogs. Lots of info and tips there. If you have more questions about security feel free to post in the security section.
All the best for the trip and let us know how it goes!
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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18 Apr 2012 13:17 #53597
by Drew
Replied by Drew on topic Who is doing or has done the Grand Traverse
We are a party of two and have GT planned over 10 - 12 days, starting on Fri 4 May...
Does anyone if the boom gate at the entrance to Sentinel car park is open 24hrs? Or what time does it open? We want to start as early as possible on the first day...
Does anyone if the boom gate at the entrance to Sentinel car park is open 24hrs? Or what time does it open? We want to start as early as possible on the first day...
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