Across the Dragon's Back in Six Days

** This thread discusses: Across the Dragon's Back in Six Days **

Well done Gavin !! Some hairy moments.Brave men!
I completed the Traverse some years ago but it was not nearly as exciting as your one.

Hi Michael,

Ya, we are going to do the GT again probably in March or April 2011. Hopefully this time things will run smoother now that we have better knowledge of the route.

CHEERS GAVIN.

Congratulations Gavin!

Glad you guys are safe back home-that's what counts.

As I'm planning to do a GT in 2012 (also probably april-ish)I've got a question for you if you don't mind(more will probably rise, but I'll ask in the GT section as well)...

What training schedule did you guys undertake?

Thanx

J

Hi Jacques,

I believe if you are reasonably fit you should be able to complete the GT. It depends on how quickly you want to complete it. I personally run 8kms a day (slow jogging) and spend about 40 mins in the GYM focusing more on core strength than resistance training. After doing the GT I recommend you put some mileage in running and on weekends load your backpack and hike up every hill and mountain in sight.

Thanx for that Gavin. I won't say I'm that fit. My hiking season is mainly from april to october since summer is waaayyy too hot for me.

I used to do 8km jogging, but my right knee has a slight pain inside when I jog. I'm switching over to cycling now. Have completed the Mweni marathon in 8.5 hours after just 3 weeks of training-my knee was mash-haha!

I'll have to focus on core strength too as I realise it's very important to have on such long walks. My longest have been 105km in 5 days so I recon I'll be able to finnish the GT in about 12 or so. Maybe we'll pick up (or rather push up) pace.

Let us know how the second one went. Good luck!

J

The Isicatula pass is an easy way off Walker's ridge; but it descends WESTWARDS into Lesotho, not KZN as one would hope after a heavy hike! The head of the pass is where a prominent dolerite dyke begins; one actually descends alongside the dyke as though it were a great handrail or ballustrade. One either leaves the Isicatula gulley lower down, contour to the head of Saddle nek then bundu-bash down to the Bushmans stream; or follow the Isicatula gulley all the way down to the base of Thaba Ngwangwa which one circumnavigates on its western aspect, to either reach the head of Bushman's Pass, or across to Thamathu Pass. Hope this makes sense. (It was so named after the soles of a commando soldier's boots came adrift when recce'ing the area as possible "terrorist attack route"!!)