Swartberg Pass

Saturday was spent helping my wife at the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary in Prince Albert once again. After tending to a few sick donkeys we ended earlier than usual so I decided to quickly go for a run into the Swartberg Pass to check out some single track I had spotted the last time we took a drive up. Unfortunately my plan was thwarted somewhat when I realised that the entire pass was closed due to flood damage. With that I left my wifes car where it stood and proceeded to run from where the road was closed which involved more boring gravel road running than I had bargained for. The floods had done significant damage and all signs were gone - as a result I missed the single track turn off. I am fairly sure it was sign posted as a hiking trail before. Although, it could have been that I was just enjoying being the entire human being there and marvelling at the rock towering above me so what did it matter that I missed it? The climb up was fairly solid and eventually I had to turn around because I was then running out of sunlight just as I was about to finish the cutbacks. The moon was half and already out but with no cell phone signal and a predetermined time of 19:00 to call the authorities I decided just to stick to the road and return another time for some proper adventure and still make dinner in time. It was epic being out there with no cars and no people despite no single track being run. These poor cell phone photos do the pass no justice. This area is definitely a gold mine. It is my 4th trip to Prince Albert this year already because of the donkeys, so I will certainly be back very soon.

15 km
462 m of ascent



Pass closed. Ran from here.






The bottom 4 km is where the river is very close to the road, and hence the damage.


Behind me is the single track I was aiming for. By the time I spotted it I decided to rather keep going up on the road. It was 12 degrees when I started running. I had forgotten a short sleeved top in Cape Town but very soon I was in the shade and the long sleeved worked well. I had two spare anyway, and a waterproof running jacket and buff and beanie in any case. I always run with a full set of gear for just in case. More pics in the next post.

I turned around shortly after this point. Super views and a great pass to drive or cycle. Or run in this case. I found I could plod along upwards at around 8:10 min/km. Not exactly very fast. Coming down I expected at least 5 mpk but the slippery gravel made for a fractionally slower return than anticipated. Might be time to up the skill. Once on the flats I put the hammer down back to the car.



Once at the car there were three guys who had run out of fuel. They seemed alright so I gave one a lift to the BP station in town and he was super grateful. I overtook a slow truck at one stage and gave it stick from third gear, to which my passenger then said, "Jis meneer, maar hierdie kar is baie vinnig."
"Nee man, dis net 'n een punt ses", I replied.
"Meneer, 'n een punt ses is nie speelgoed nie." I just had to laugh . (Afrikaans is not my strong point so excuse the spelling )