News from the Cape – Part 2

Certainly the day with the least amount of climibing this week, probably the whole year…. but 20 kilometers in a sandstorm along the Atlantic Ocean have their own challenges… almost running at twice the speed in one direction, turning back, I was sandblasted!

Endless horizons, even though the actual Skyrun is only next weekend….

The photo doesn’t show the amazing wind, which makes it hard to even stand let alone run…

Leaving for the Drakensberg today, to catch some altitude before we run up to 3001 meters next weekend.

All the good gear is packed and ready to go…..

2 pairs of Wings, the ultimate shoe for South Africa!

Goretex-Socks, if the newspapers don’t lie, and they never do, now do they, there is snow in Lesotho, not far from the race course….

One pair of warm softshell gloves for the cold nights on the ridge, and a second pair especially for all those barbed wire fence crossings!

Compass, essential for navigation in night and fog.

The new Suunto X10 – searching for checkpoints without a precise idea of the altitude is pretty pointless in the Drakensberg.

The ultimate searchlight – my Lupine headlamp was already helping me to find the way in last year’s Skyrun. The small Petztl Tikka comes along in case some unfortunate accident should eliminate the big lamp.
Important, the big battery lasts all night long with amazing light quality and quantity.

Energy for the human machine – Maxim Carbocake is the perfect long-distance-race-food!

When the nerves and legs give up, or almost, here’s the secret weapon – more caffeine than any cappucino can deliver!

Always ready – the almost indestructible Gripcam!

Can save a trailrunner’s life – tape to stabilize an injured ankle.. just like the golden space blanket, it is always mandatory gear…race or not!

Thanks Salomon for your protective soles… that branch has been imported from Croatia, believe it or not…..