Grace College pupil and RAM Mountaineering Brand Ambassador, Michael Van Wyngaard, completed a double Grand Traverse of the Drakensberg during the December and January holidays. Congratulations are due to Michael for succeeding in this herculean feat which required untold planning, passion, training and grit.FAST FACTS
Exact times per GPS tracks
South-North: 5d7h05m36 (127h06)
North-South: 5d6h54m28 (126h55)
Total time: 15d7h49m40
South-North: 5d7h05m36 (127h06)
North-South: 5d6h54m28 (126h55)
Total time: 15d7h49m40
Stats per GPS for both traverses
Distance: 466km
Moving time: 4d19h29m26
Average moving pace: 4km/h
Average overall pace: 1.27km/h
Altitude gain and loss: 18 558m
Distance: 466km
Moving time: 4d19h29m26
Average moving pace: 4km/h
Average overall pace: 1.27km/h
Altitude gain and loss: 18 558m
Records held by Michael:
Youngest to complete a Grand Traverse
Youngest to complete two Grand Traverses
Only person under 18 to complete three grand traverses
First ever double Grand Traverse
Only person under 18 to complete the Khulu Challenge which requires climbing every SA 3300m peak, of which there are 27
Youngest and one of only seven people to have climbed 100+ Khulus (SA 3000m peaks)
Only person under 18 to complete a speed traverse (under 8 days and fully unsupported traverse)
Holder of the under 18 FKT (fastest known time) for a speed traverse (127h06)
Youngest to complete a Grand Traverse
Youngest to complete two Grand Traverses
Only person under 18 to complete three grand traverses
First ever double Grand Traverse
Only person under 18 to complete the Khulu Challenge which requires climbing every SA 3300m peak, of which there are 27
Youngest and one of only seven people to have climbed 100+ Khulus (SA 3000m peaks)
Only person under 18 to complete a speed traverse (under 8 days and fully unsupported traverse)
Holder of the under 18 FKT (fastest known time) for a speed traverse (127h06)
In 2016 Michael clocked 1200km of distance in the Drakensberg, and over 1000km of distance elsewhere. He is looking forward to competing in the Mweni Marathon on 13 May 2017.
Pictured here; Michael Van Wyngaard contemplates the view.
News supplied by Grace College.