Arangieskop 2 Day Epic!!
"Despite being born as recently as March 1992, this is the mother and father of all trails in the Western Cape. It is destined to become to the Western Cape what the Otter Trail is to South Africa - the Prince of Trails. But like the Otter Trail, it is neither for the faint of heart nor for the weak of limb. There are many words to describe this two-day endurance test, but I'll settle for SPECTACULAR."
On the 01st December 2006, 8 EYB athletes ventured out of Cape Town to conquer our very own Everest! A 2 day 'endurance test' awaited us. The trail proved to be spectacular and the experience will stick in the minds of those fortunate enough to conquer Robertson's very own Arangieskop!!
I will not elaborate on the trip but will rather let the photos and a few personal diary inserts tell the story of an outdoor epic...
Erics preparing our gourmet supplies
Beef and Migsy dominating the braai duties
What lottery ridicularity?
Dr Allan Le Tong called into action!
Carbo-loading liquid diet NOT recommended!
Beef, Riche, and DALLAS creating some ridicularity!
Dirty Dancing
Quads of Steel!
Tricky decents - awesome VAVT stops - tranquility!!!
What danger?
Awesome rock formations!
Cold Porky Paradise!!
Migsy resting his legs!
VAVT stop!!
Dallas loving the gourmet sandwiches!
Abs and Riche
Spectacular views of the Robertson!
Sad Prawns!
The final push to the overnight hut!
Protea's galore!
Migs and his 20kg backpack - Arangies Summit awaits!
Arangies Summit!
Beef overlooking the Koo Valley!
Riche, Amber, Erics, and Migs
Dallas and Beef
Epic end to Day 1!!!
'Loosey' - evidence of a long day out on the montains!!
Spectacular overnight hut - team chilling out!!
Dallas and Migs taking it easy!!
Le Tong and braai team prepare a feast!
Awesome chow!
Sunrise over the summit!!
Le Bouf and Le Tong - tea and coffee in bed for the troops!!!
The birth of phase 5!!
Lapping up the vibe!!
Never ending ridicularity!
Hmmmmmm!!
Leaving our Mark!!
Beef doing some indoor rock climbing!!
Ready for the final push to the summit!!
This way!!
Last few steps!!
Amazing Arangieskop summit!
1700m - Done!
'Loosey' losing the plot!!
The Yard Shark get in on the mix!!
What a vibe!!!
5 Minute silence!!
Breathtaking decent on day 2!
Jumping with vibe!!
Riche - an experienced campaigner on the mountains!
Epic decent!
Swim - lunch spot Day 2!
EYB Calender Pic 1
EYB Calender Pic 2
Final Push to the bottom of the Ravine!!
Almost there!
Spectacular!!!
Erics and Al - HATT Award legends!!!
Dear Diary...
I woke up bewildered and confused this morning…. Not only did I not smell like wood smoke or have inhalation issues, but, no matter where I looked I could not find my tiara!
Last night was scary to say the least…. Striking up sudden bursts of “I’m bringing stockies back” only led to people at the Friendly Grocer giving me a wide birth. It probably also had to do with the “EYB 4 LIFE” tattoo I still had on my right bicep (it is ok to wonder into a corner store in just a pair of boardies and your hiking socks isn’t it?)
What a cruel cruel world we had to return to… at least I had minger to remind me of the wide open spaces and some river water still in the platypus to give me hope. Yes, I am having difficulties readjusting after only 2 nights away. I nearly burnt the office down trying to fire up the coals for coffee…. That’s no even mentioning the cold shower I was forced to have this morning as the stupid architects at my house have not installed a ‘donkey’.
What mountain?
... Allan aka Le Tong
I woke up bewildered and confused this morning…. I sat up in bed this morning to breathe in mountain air and have my dose of morning VAVT, I hobbled out of bed looking for 2 prancing swan lake fairies making ‘le skinny lattes’ on le braai. I opened the cupboard longing for warm milk and muesli in a Ziploc bag then headed for an ankle deep best hot shower ever. I wandered through to the lounge looking for smelly shorts, burnt socks and smoky shoes and reached for my tiara, I was ready to climb the summit. The sun baked my face, the wind whistled in my ears, I had a visual of the beacon.
Sorry you breaking up……………
Nick Marais told me to get out of bed and start the week. I switched the kettle on poured Special K in a bowl, ran a bubble bath, donned my suit and heels, found a hairclip and headed out to climb the summit of Monday. The saving grace is that I remembered to wear trousers as the EYB star is still branded on my left calf, which is normal, of course.
The Everest of the Cape has been conquered. Arankikikikikies will never be the same again…
... Erica aka Erinkink
I woke up bewildered and confused this morning… with a soaked dishcloth wrapped around my right big toe from the home-made ice pack recommended by my resident biokineticist to reduce high-altitude-descent-induced chronic toe fatigue (HADICTF). It took hours of determination to overcome the reverse vertigo syndrome that has silently embedded itself into my bones since yesterday. I eventually managed to put my feet on my 3rd floor flat floor (1690m too low) but faced a whole new battle when I was faced with 2 flights of steps going even LOWER! The wide open spaces high above the kitchen definitely boosted my determination, but I fear it was only temporary. I think I’ll only ever find happiness again above 1600m, and ultimate happiness standing on the beacon, NO HANDS!
I did however find comfort and solace in my furry grey friends that happen to mate for life, like the African Black Oystercatcher. The Stokies. And I am happy to announce that both the warm muesli with banana and DFF fuel (dried fruit fart), and the Dros burger and pizza, are no longer queuing in my oesophagus, and there is now space for more Lamb Chops in Muskadel and Thyme (or in my case, steak!).
After walking to work with my backpack, and wearing Dallas Top and stokies, I was horrified to be confronted with cold, pasteurised milk and kettle-boiled water! And so much electricity! Bring back the solar panels and car battery! I considered chopping up the table tennis table for firewood but was met with death stares from my competitive colleagues. So I chose the pool table instead. The smell of burning felt brought tears to my eyes as it reminded me of the near death emergency rescue moment of Minger from out of the fire.
Oh dear, the memories have opened up my heart and it’s spilling all down my Dallas top. What sad prawn?
... Debbie aka Dallas
I woke up bewildered and confused this morning...
While confidently launching myself out of bed geared for rocky battle, I found myself collapsing into a heap on my bedroom floor... my quads and calves giving way as if ravaged by lightning from above. While regaining my composure, I felt a sense of comfort knowing that my darling Le Sherrieeeaaaat would be there to comfort the fall, but alas... a pile of dirty dusty robes rested at eye level, approximately 20m above sea level. As despair descended apon me, me eyes slowly climed up...and up... and up, and at the summit, I was horrified at what I saw!!!
My Gaaaaaaaaaad... it was Paamela!!! Nooooooooooooooo, she had followed me home and indeed confirmed the reality of a monday morning!!! She was resting peacfully, so I carefully rose to my feet and stumbled through to the bathroom... only to be greeted by the ridiculous sight of fresh towels, a dry floor, and a weird abnormal smell of fresh roses!!! Hmmmm...intersting how we miss the simple pleasures in life!!
As I sit here and flick through the hunderds of memories from the weekend, and feel increasingly concerned at the inablility to embrace the reality of city life, I remind myself of the Arangies Epic that saw 8 entrepid athletes conquer the elements!! Inspiration lies not in the 'grandiose' Dassieshoek hut, the amazing ascent, the spectacular Arangies Cabin, the mind-blowing Sunday decent. It lies neither in the splendour of the Arangieskop summit...
This inspiration comes from one thing and one thing only... The VIBE!!!!!!!!!
... Beef aka Le Bouf
I woke up bewildered and confused this morning… with a soaked dishcloth wrapped around my right big toe from the home-made ice pack recommended by my resident biokineticist to reduce high-altitude-descent-induced chronic toe fatigue (HADICTF). It took hours of determination to overcome the reverse vertigo syndrome that has silently embedded itself into my bones since yesterday. I eventually managed to put my feet on my 3 rd floor flat floor (1690m too low) but faced a whole new battle when I was faced with 2 flights of steps going even LOWER! The wide open spaces high above the kitchen definitely boosted my determination, but I fear it was only temporary. I think I'll only ever find happiness again above 1600m, and ultimate happiness standing on the beacon, NO HANDS!
... Debbie aka Dallas
As the summit of Monday becomes a glowing visual the 3pm brickwall sad prawn depression shark nips at my ankles and threatens to swallow me whole!! The skinny low calorie no dressing no carb salad had not given me the energy of porkers and foil wrapped zip locked soya linseed zaams!! As I sit gripped in my chair with knee pain and a BIBCLV (balancing ice block crossed leg vibe) while attempting to hide calf tattoos I drift into a daydream of AITM (athletes in the mist)…. As the mist clears the VAVT of laptop screen and excel spreadsheets appears before me…. get me out of here!!!! I sway violently and pierce myself with a ballpoint quill in attempt to take me back to the day 1 tea spot, but no I am still here. I dig deep and hobble to the kitchen with renditions of “we’re bringing stokies back” lapping in the air conditioned breeze…. Le tong – where are the coals????? I need a sad prawn latte!!!!
As I hike past my boss he questions the limp, I admit we summitted Arangieskop and am met with a look of city dweller bewilderment – do they not know about Everest?!?! I launch gleefully into hyperboles of mountain mania! For a moment I can feel the VIBEEEE!!!!! I nearly ask him for a foot massage but just as I am about to moon the office for the second time, the smell of printer cartridge and office BO reminds me of the life I now lead….. I tilt my head for my afternoon sun nap and stare lovingly into the fluorescent light. I close my eyes and smile…. Only 8 ridiculous intrepid athletes can really answer…………
What Mountain??
What VAVT??
What VIBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
EPIC!!!!!!!!
... Erica aka Erinkink
Sunday nite,standing at my front door; I had reached a new evereast 2 conquer...
MY FRIGGIN HIKING CRAP!!! (Where do i park?)
As I withdrew my half eaten `Lite O`s` and Braai scented clothes,
reality bit me like a God damn deranged white cat! ,
I was home,
and could not wee where i pleased (what waterfall squat and dip?..."when i dip u dip we dip")
Standing in the bathroom reminding myself there was no need to use midget sized toiletries +hand towl,I saw the reflection of a true athlete;
sweated out cockateal fro;HOT backpack tan(Yes Abs,loads of cream,What sun?);dirt smeared face(um did ne1 blow their nose?);dirt encrusted nails and pudgy swollen granny feet.
Yup.I earned my breakfast,beer(bells),braai,burn and bum shots...no wo i mean!
I was tempted 2 camp on my floor in my sleeping bag,hip flask in tow and pretend.
The morning wakeup call was painfull,and im not just talkin bout my legs which said F.U and gave way on route 2 my fresh smelling loo.More like no hangover or back ache.No Le bif and Le Tong 2 offer me tea.No powderd ziplock muslei.No lock jaw.
I was broken.
Was it real? Did i really climb that and live to show and tell?(cat munch) and i was sadly happy.
On a more serious vibe,i could not have asked for a better bunch of special,loving, like minded individuals.Every moment could not have been captured by a camera (VAVT)and jeez there were some beauties...
Riche showing us other methods of getting down the mount with Dr Al in full swing ready to straddle him to safety.
Al scoffing his sand whilst he tells us bout the sociable protea "it like mingles with the fynbos ey"
Our French raging queens who shall be exchanging vows or chop vibe asap.
So many bum shots,so little time.
Friday nite pam marsh pit.Dude,whos leg is that??
50 uhum I mean 20 Q`s.
Migs secretly carrying pots pans,scottle etc and nearly falling over a no of times but never told...dont lie luv!
Sudden bus load of tourists rocking up and observing the rock apes! F. Off (Abs)
Braai clothes and Mascadal Thyme chops.
7/9 o`clock start.
So much VAVT eventually Migs and i had to intervene!
Heartbreak stories."I think love is fo eva" hoo ha ha
Tagging.
"Im bringing stokkies back,yeah, take it to the summit"
SP`s.
and i could go on and on.
U name it,it happened.
... Amber aka Amberooski
A WINTER ARANGIESKOP SUMMIT AWAITS!!!
EARN YOUR BREAKFAST!!
CONTACT US: earnyourbreakfast@gmail.com
1 comment:
Love that route!!! Thanx for posting!
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