THE ROUTE - 2012
PROLOGUE
Start: Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn.
Finish: De Hoek mountain resort, Oudtshoorn.
Distance: 7.4 km
Total vertical ascent: 102 m
A more memorable start to a race is yet to be found with this years Dryland Traverse starting in the world famous Cango Caves. On this short underground endeavor runners will pass through the famous Van Zyl hall, pass the devil's chimney and the famous preekstoel and then exit via the old entrance that according to folklore were the entry first used by man.
This route to De Hoek mountain resort, where we will spend the rest of the weekend, is marked by superb single track along the foothills of the great Swartberg Mountain range were only mountain goat dare to venture. At De Hoek you will be welcomed by the team from Dryland Events where we will sit down for the first of many scrumptious meals as you will be briefed for what is yet to come.
STAGE 1
Start: De Hoek mountain resort, Oudtshoorn.
Finish: De Hoek mountain resort, Oudtshoorn.
Distance: 25.7 km
Total vertical ascent: 1 380 m
Water point 1: 8.3 km
and 2: 17.2 km
Stage 1 will start at De Hoek mountain resort and this will be the one to remember. Runners will head upwards in an north easterly direction straight onto the scenic and somewhat technical single track of the old Gouekrans trail that is now closed to the public, but thanks to Cape Nature we are privileged to use it. The first 8km will make the runners work hard and we will climb from 700m to about 1650m above sea level were we will be rewarded by an absolutely amazing view and the friendly staff at water point 1.
From there unspoilt and undulating jeep track will take you all the way to the Botha's hoek hut were water point 2 will be waiting. This 9km stretch will be like running on the back of an old dragon, victoriously conquered, views as far as the eye can see with the Klein Karoo valleys to the south and the arid, dry plains of the great Karoo to the north. A short climb will take you to your last crossing of the dragon's neck before taking a mighty plunge back to De Hoek.
The descend starts with an exciting zig zag section of single track and takes you down to the resort with a combination of easy and tough gradients. The last rocky track will spit you out on the luscious green grass of De Hoek were applauding Dryland staff will await you after a great, hardworking day on the mountain.
STAGE 2
Start: Toll House, Swartberg mountain, Oudtshoorn.
Finish: De Hoek mountain resort, Oudtshoorn.
Distance: 28.7 km
Total vertical ascent: 733 m
Water point 1: 8.2 km
and 2: 18.6 km
After a hard day of climbing yesterday we will do the hard work starting today by shuttling you up the beautiful Swartberg mountain pass to the start at the old Toll house just over the summit. Runners will descent in a Northerly direction, past one of the most famous lookout points before taking a sharp turn to the west onto the only single track section of the day.
A 4.5km challenging track will take you back to the top of the pass, past water point 1 before the downhill run of a lifetime starts. 9.7km of smooth, winding, historic Swartberg pass will take you all the way to the foothills of this beautiful mountain range, where your fight with gravity ends at water point 2. From here we head back to base camp in an easterly direction crisscrossing the farmlands of this valley. The last 3km of tar road will lead us back to the race village where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings after 28km of off-road running heaven.
STAGE 3
Start: Raubenheimer dam, Oudtshoorn.
Finish: De Hoek mountain resort, Oudtshoorn.
Distance: 19.9 km
Total vertical ascent: 794 m
Water point 1: 8.2 km
Water point 2: 13.8 km
Stage 3 celebrates the start to a new era in trail running in the Klein Karoo, and we could not have asked for a more memorable grand finale. Once again the runners will be shuttled to the start, this time to the top of the Raubenheimer dam wall, and thanks to the friendly and willing staff of Oudtshoorn Municipality, runners will tread on forbidden territory.
You will make your way around the dam before taking a westerly turn for our first little climb of the day before we enter the secret valley of the die Kombuis were people have been farming for centuries. The friendly locals will welcome you onto their land and we will run across ancient agricultural land before making our way to the Cango Caves and the only water point of the day.
From here the last 8km of single track will be vaguely familiar as things look totally different at daytime and promise to be a lot of fun. We end a great weekend, picnic style at the race village in De Hoek.
Total distance: 83.8 km
Total vertical ascent: 3 001 m
The organizers reserve the right to change routes, actual profiles and the ascent totals on short notice, due to circumstances beyond their control, and if so, updates hereof, will be given at the official race briefing, or the evening prior to the stage start.
The data reflects actual GPS recordings. Distance measurements typically vary between 3-5% between devices, as well as the method of measurement (GPS or rolling measurement) Ascent gain may vary 10-15% between devices and may be up to 30% different.