Thank you for that report . Now I feel much better , really thought we the only teanm that did not know a Accord got a front and back end ! BTW walking through the reeds was a BAD idea as those things cuts you to pieces !!!
> Team Members: > • Mr. Stealth himself Nico > • The team rookie Heinrich – attempting his very first AR experience > • No introductions needed for Mummy-man Jacques > • Yours truly and mandatory team equipment D1 > > Sooo, just to set the record straight, I was not the first second or > third designated team report writer….but we are members of team > Stealth…one for all and all for one? so we stay true too our name I > guess?? ;) > > Our team got formed in the last week before the race. Stealth and > Heinrich had the idea of entering a team, but had difficulty in > confirming two more team members. In the end yours truly and Mummy-man > was begged and borrowed into the team ;) Not that it was too hard…. > *grin* Knowing Hardy…we knew the race would be something special and > memorable…. > > So we all made our way to the race venue and the team gathered shortly > after 8pm. Our pre race dinner as everyone knows already was > absolutely out of this world. I for one could not finish mine, and > left it somewhere save for midnight snackie…. > > I guess a HUGE Thank You is in order (although we did have some > serious doubts and questions about this thank you later in the race…) > to Hardy for organizing our team some boats for this race. We are > forever thank full (once again that point was pondered upon later in > the race) for the two stable-steeds a.k.a Accords. > There was also some quick tips on river paddling….but those tips was > no where to be found in my brain once we hit the first bit of unstable > water….. ;) > > Race briefing was short and sweeet….literally…with some birthday cake > for Leon :) Hardy informed us al the things we need to know…. A couple > of things he said stuck in my mind as if it was set with super glue…. > Have FUN out there….You are not suppose to be rock climbing….so if you > are…you are in the wrong place… He also mentioned something on the > paddling, when you paddle river up, I think the term he used was > “Ferry Glide” where it would actually feel as if the water is pulling > you up the rapid… this sounded like a fairytale too me and I was > looking forward to check this out… but in the end I think it was more > “ferry swimming” in some cases *grin* > > So with these last thoughts….we got ready for the first paddling leg. > We gathered round the lekker warm fire at HQ all ready to go, and with > a big WHOOP WHOOP the race got under way. Everyone picked up boats and > there they went…. Some teams were on a mission going right, in the > direction of where we take out the boats later…. ….although I knew the > paddle put in was straight ahead…more to the left. So in the confusion > of everyone following everyone and everyone is going in the wrong > direction we went left and soon others followed. On the river it was > quite nerve wrecking in the beginning….. none of our team members were > real river paddlers, and for some it was the first time in a K2 on the > river and for some others even the first time in a K2…. So the nerve’s > was not helping…. But soon we got going and the first part was not too > bad….flat water….although visibility was at zero in some stages… > > We followed the wrong channel and soon reached a dead end, which did > not make sense, so we obviously missed a split in the river somewhere. > Some teams opted to go bush whacking straight ahead, but we turned > around and found the other channel going off to the right. Once we got > in there it was not long before MAJOR confusion hit the water….. all > of a sudden the boats was going in all the wrong directions, and we > even got hit by our second K2, but managed to stay the right side up > *grin* This was the part where we was going “ferry gliding” up a > rapid… We soon realized we have to get moving or the current will push > us into the reeds….but was unsure if Mummy and Heinrich took a swim… > because there was absolutely NO sound….no scream, not even as much as > a little high pitched noise…nothing…. so we got our boat going > forward, as there was some serious chirps coming from the back about > WHY we are not moving…. So we got through and waited on the other side > for them to join us…. One after the other the other boats appeared, so > we gathered they went for a swim…. While we were waiting for them, we > heard some serious bundu-bashing coming from the reeds next to the > rapid… and we could hear Donald and Dirt Rider making their way…I > guess it sounded worse than it was…but they provided some > entertainment… unfortunately we departed before they could break > free…. > > We found the take-out and could clearly see the lights going up the > little koppie. It is funny in AR how you will see a couple of lights > going up the koppie, and then all of a sudden there is no one around…. > We made our way up and found the CP, decided to take a bearing and > head for the ruins. We were looking to hit a road that would go right > past the ruins, and found road…..but as we were walking on it, I saw > what I thought was a light…. We had some debate because I was sure it > was a light, but some other team members thought it was far far far > away….so we kept walking on the road…. But the light was still > there… > in the end we thought we heard someone calling…. Now this is too early > in the race for hallucinations?? Right? So we can not be imagining > this light that keeps on calling for us? So we went walking in the > direction of the light….and would you know it – there is Hardy! Who > cannot believe it took us sooo long to walk towards the light? But > have you never seen Finding Nemo Hardy?? Don’t go to the light?? > *grin* > > From here it was a quick walk down to the CP4 close to the river, and > then we followed the cattle track next to the river going back to the > boats…. We decided to run a little to get some warmth…. Heinrich and > Mummy was freezing!! I was quite concerned that Heinrich might be > hypothermic or something….he was very very very cold…. So we tried to > run…but did not get far before I went flying! My feet must have caught > a branch and no…I believe I cannot fly…and came crashing down with > momentum carrying me as if I was scoring the winning try for the > springboks! Luckily I stopped inches short of a pile of very fresh cow > dung... that would NOT have been funny…for me in any case…but the rest > of the guys were having a lekker giggle on what might have been….. ;) > > Back at the boats it was time to get back to HQ. But first get dressed > in some ice cubes….there was a thin layer of ice on all the PFD’s etc. > ICE!? “So I guess it really is cold then” was the very wise words > spoken by someone…. ;) > > The mist on the water made it impossible to see anything…we ended up > in many dead ends….and then we have to reverse out or turn the boats > around in some or other miraculous way…. We got knocked over by a very > big branch in a rapid, and then clearly understood why there was > absolutely NO sound when people fell over…because there is NO > sound….it is so cold it literally takes your breath AWAY and DISABLE > your vocal cords….it was cooolllldddd….. we struggled a bit but got > back in the boats…the rest of the way back was a struggle…struggle to > see, struggle to get warm….struggling to determine if there is any > feeling in your toes and hands … Once again we got stranded in the > wrong channel, bundu bashed straight ahead, and appeared in the middle > of one of the final rapids…to the surprise of the photographer. After > this we started singing and warming up the vocal cords, and versions > of “row row row your boat gently down the stream…..” warned the > marshals to put some wood on that fire some frozen racers is coming in > to defrost!! And of course, they obliged with a cozy fire right next > to the river… We tried to get warm at the fire, Mandy informing us > that they think it is about -5 degrees out there… but eventually had > to leave the fire with them and hike back to HQ. There were some hot > showers, to try and get life back into the limbs which we gladly tried > out. After some dry clothes and a cup of coffee and a midnight pasta > snacky, we left HQ on our bikes and headed for the kloof. > > The MTB was easy going and we reached the transition area in no time. > It was now time for some more plotting and changing into the hiking > gear. The CP at the base of the waterfall we found without any > hassle…. We then had some interesting route choice options about how > to get to the next CP. But in the end….found the right path and the CP > on that Avatar Tree ;) Being in the kloof, surrounded by cliffs was > amazing. There was moments where Hardy’s words ring in our ears…no > rock climbing…and you look at all the cliffs around you…where are we > going…and will we get through were some of the questions into the > universe….We reached the top of the kloof just as it became > light….WHAT a sight…. We took a moment to have some breakfast and just > admired the view…. > > We almost got our direction wrong and headed for the wrong > mountain….but luckily Stealth and Mummy orientated the map and off we > went in search of CP9…. The clue for CP 9 is it is on the Spur…. Now > the first idea that pops in you head is “the spur”…so food was very > clearly on our minds on our way there….looking for a spur sign in > everything ;) > > We decided to go down into the valley till we get to the river and > then head up and find the cp. We were sure we were in the right area, > and went up and down the river about 3 times…but we could not see CP9. > So after going down again, making sure that we are were we think we > are….we headed up again….at some stage Stealth and Mummy got on some > boulders just to get some height to see if we are missing > something….and as they got to the top they immediately saw CP9, not > too far away…we were in the right area, but too close to the river… > > CP 10 was a-ok, no problem in finding it. The hiking and the scenery > was spectacular! What a privilege to be out there hiking in the early > hours of the morning…. > > From CP10 we headed back towards transition to get our bikes. As we > came off the mountain we hit a road that went around the koppie and > then straight back to transition. I guess we could have opted to go > over, but after the rocky hiking of the last couple of hours we > decided to stick to the “easy” walking in the road…. :) > > Back on the bikes we went to collect the next 2 CP’s before we head > for the monster 15km paddle. We had no problems on the MTB leg, > everything went smooth. We got chased by a dog on our way….and you > sort of think you should be able to out-ride a dog? But this one was > FAST… but luckily he lost interest in us... not sure if this is what > inspired Stealth! As he went flying on his MTB with the rest of us > eating his dust! But luckily for him we saw the CP he went flying > by ;) > > At the paddle put in we was greeted by a chirpy Oupa Gert He was > telling us all sorts of stories. Seemed like a lot of teams decided > not to do the paddling. There was another team just returning after > abandoning their boats to do the shorter course….Eric was taking them > through the obstacle course, and we were chirping them big time on the > fact that paddling must be much easier than the obstacle course…. > > We were all fired up to try our best at this paddling….ja ok maybe not > all of us…someone was pleading with us to rather go MTB than paddle… > but we would hear non of that….we want the adventure… whoo haaa!! > > Sooo….off we went, very very brave to try this paddling thing on the > river….it surely can’t be as cold as the night before?? Can it? And it > can’t be worse…can it?? > > So in we go…..and at the bridge is the first little obstacle… the > instruction is to keep right, or otherwise portage… So we get there > and want to portage – but the photographer is highly upset – shoot it > – it is easy….Ja well he was well positioned for some swimming-action- > photos! ;) So we decided and started to learn the hard way…you cannot > have doubts…and momentum is your friend….Me and Stealth did not have > the best of approach, and I was sort of thinking we are going for the > second one and he was going for the third one, and in the end we > messed it up and went swimming ;) We had a lekker laugh about it and > were reminded in no uncertain terms that the water is COLD in the day > as well ;) So…we thought the first swim is now out of the way… how bad > can it be?.... > > Next rapid we went straight for this HUGE bolder….no way you can go > over that one…so I’m sitting in the back thinking turn the boat turn > the boat turn the boat TURN THE BOAT! There is absolutely no time to > even try and search your brain for one of those tips that someone told > you about HOW to turn this boat if you’re going for a head on > collision with a boulder…. But in the end it turned….and we were > almost through the rapid still inside the boat…and THEN we fell out… > *eish* So you swim, you empty the boat, you get back in…you > paddle….This little episode repeated itself at every rapid? I mean > really?? So at the one we really struggled to get the boat out of the > water, it was soo full of water and we are in the stream, so it took > us some time to get out of the water… Once out….my body was in shock, > and cold, everything was in pain… We dragged the boats out, and went > in search of the sun, we need to get a bit of sun….we were freezing… > So we had a little team meeting / “pondering” session…. And someone > begged us once more to go back and MTB…. After “pondering” in the > sun > we decided to portage the rapids that looks bad and try the ones that > looks not too bad.… soo…back in the boats….around the next > corner….RAPID….*eish* we bailed at the very last moment….got out and > bundu bashed…. Got back in with some real effort… and very creative > maneuvers to get back into the boat….just to go round the next corner… > RAPID…. *eish* With this one we bailed to late…so we sort of got > stranded in the little island in the middle of the rapid…. So once > again…time to “ponder” and “think” about this, cause this is > also not > gonna work…so we had some koekies and water on our little island, > thinking like “Vikey the Viking”, think Vikey, think….cause McGyvers > plan of portaging the rapids is also not working…. So what is the > super duper plan to get trough the paddling. So…we bundu bashed to a > road….and started to portage the boats, and then struggled to find a > place to put it back in…so we kept on walking walking walking…just > keep walking… We came to a house were the people just laughed and said > we were cheating, the other guys is paddling!! We must get back in the > water?? So we said to them they are more than welcome to show us > how ;) And that is if they can FIND a place to put in? They just > laughed and gave us some directions. Stealth was keeping the team > spirit alive with jokes left right and center….Like I previously said, > at one stage we were thankful that Hardy organized us the boats, but > at this point in time his comment of “no swearing at the race > director” was sort of…well…hilarious ;) After what felt like > kilometers of portaging those very light-weight-Accords of ours…we > found the second “official” portage point which was at a bridge. And > we could put in and start paddling again. From there the paddling was > going quite well, we shoot the rapids and stayed inside… I guess the > long portage gave us some new levels of bravery to rather paddle than > portage ;) > > On the very last rapid before the take out we did get stranded on a > rock, and we had some moments where we were concerned of breaking a > boat… but we managed to get trough there and I for one was VERY HAPPY > to reach the take-out point…. From there for the LAST time we portaged > our stable-steeds back to HQ… WOW, we made it….that paddle for me was > something else…for sure something I will remember about this race for > a looonnnngggg time…. > > At HQ, Hardy and QT was there welcoming us back from our epic > adventure…we informed them we are a bit late cause we don’t SWIM that > fast *giggle* We had a good laugh, but the sun was setting at some > fierce pace, and we should probably get going and make use of the last > light as much as possible… The only thing between us and finishing the > race was an 8km hike…We were still on an adrenalin rush and in good > spirit, we came this far, only 8km left…lets do this!! :) > > The first part was a-ok, hiking along the road, and then going up the > river to the next CP. That one we found just as it turned pitch black > around us…and you have that oh-oh…here comes trouble feeling…. We > decided since we cannot really see we need to stay with some sort of > “handrail”, so in the end we followed the river/kloof, looking for a > river coming in from the left. But that we never found and soon we > found ourselves at the top, but still not on top of the mountain where > the CP was, it was on the other side, so instead of going up and over, > we hiked around and looked for the river on the other side, and the > plan was then to follow the river up to the re-entrant point on top. > With zero visibility and no other “handrail” but the river itself, > this sounded like a plan. We did found the river valley and thought it > was the right one, bundu bashed to the top to where we thought the re- > entrant was….but there was no cp…. We spend quite a lot of time > “sweeping” the area, looking at the map and once again look at the > map…. But just could not find it… in the end it was a very difficult > decision to make, but we had to leave it and move on… this was I think > the low point for everyone…we felt so sure we were in the right place, > but obviously we were not where we thought we were…. So we took a > bearing from where we thought we were, to where the trig-beacon was…. > And walked straight towards it? How is that? Was it luck? Or did we > now walk right past the cp? It was mind boggling… > > So the next tip we got from teams when we left transition was to aim > for a certain point of height on the map, go down the mountain, up the > other side, and then stay on top until we find the CP. That sure > sounds easy enough? So from the trig beacon we took a bearing….and > soon found ourselves on a very tricky descent, poor Heinrich was in > severe pain at this stage with an ITB that was really quite upset with > all the hiking that was done on technical terrain over the last couple > of hours. But he just had real “vasbyt” and just kept going…:) > > We found a path and I think at this stage we changed our thought and > tried a more direct “line” for the CP, which might have been our > downfall in the end. We went up the hill, to the top where we thought > the CP would be, but could not find it anywhere. And now since it was > so dark, we were not too sure on which one we were…. but we were > pretty sure we were on the right one…we walked it side to side and > checked the highest point – but no cp *EISH* after all this time, we > just cannot seem to find the last two?? It was really a time where we > all hit a low point out there…. But we decided we tried, we once more > looked and then decided to start the descent and head home at 11pm…24 > hours into the race…… > > While hiking the last bit back to HQ on the dirt road, Hardy and > Casper appeared with the Bakkie…they went out looking for us to make > sure we were ok. So now it was just about 1km back to HQ and some hot > chocolate and food! :) > > When we entered the camp, it was quiet, so we contemplated of arriving > with some BIG noise or just sneak in…so we switched off our lights and > sneaked into camp true to our team name…in Stealth mode :) > > Hardy greeted us, and we tried our best to convince him we were where > he plotted the cp’s. But he immediately picked up our mistake…seems > like the on the first one there is a river split, and we ended up > going up the wrong kloof – which resulted in an parallel error…. And > the last one we missed, we must have missed it with a couple hundred > meters…just a little bit further…. *eish* We shared our war stories, > trials and tribulations with Hardy over cups of hot chocolate. Then it > was off to a hot shower, warm clothes and some well deserved sleep…. > > In conclusion…after 24.5 hours of racing, Team Stealth completed the > YSTERvark en HoonaTand in a quite surprising 4th place :) > In our world, we must have been the team that had the most fun, most > jokes and the best time out there ;) Everyone had times of riding the > adrenalin high, and hitting the waves of uncertainty and tiredness…. > The high for me was shooting at least the last rapid WITHOUT swimming, > getting lekker windgat in the end and shooting everything just because > swimming and hiking takes way to long…. *grin* The lowest point I > think was to make the call to leave the cp when we could not find it. > And the ultimate kick…. off course…. FINISHING the race :) > > THANK YOU, to Hardy & Q.T – for putting together a very special race. > It was interesting, demanding, adventurous, outrageous and FUN – true > old school adventure racing. I woke up on Monday morning, with my body > rebelling against everything I’ve done in the last 48 hours…but that > silly grin on the face was there….the feeling of accomplishment was > there….the feeling that wow this was worth it was there…. It reminded > me why I love adventure racing, and why I want to do adventure > racing…. > > I’ve seen the time, effort and personal sacrifice it takes from you > two to put together a race like this. Thank you for the passion, > determination and your vasbyt as race organizers to put together a > race, true to old school adventure racing. > > Like I said before….the YsterVARK en HOONA tand race will be one we > talk about for years and years to come! > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "DarkAndDirty" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/darkanddirty?hl=en. > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ South Africa's premier free email service - www.webmail.co.za ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For super low premiums, click here http://home.webmail.co.za/dd.pwm -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "DarkAndDirty" group. 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