Jarred van Alphen and Kai Broom completed the Drakensberg Grand Traverse in 2022, a hike of 250 km within 10 days. This was an incredible achievement, especially since the boys carried their packs each weighing 21kg.
The Drakensberg Grand Traverse is the highest, hardest, and longest hike in South Africa. It stretches 250km of the Drakensberg escarpment from the Sentinel Car Park in the North (near Harrismith) to Bushmans Nek in the South (near Underberg). Hikers climb over 11000 vertical meters, ascending as high as 3480m above sea level and sometimes descending below 3000m; the average altitude throughout the walk is 3000m/a/s/l. We will also summit the five highest peaks along the escarpment, namely: Mont-aux-Sources (3281m), Champagne Castle (3377m); Mafadi (3450m), Giants Castle (3319m); and Thabana Ntlenyana (3489m).
Since their achievement in 2022, Jarred and Kai have wanted to challenge themselves further. Initially, they wanted to run the whole DGT; however, they were advised not to as their bodies are too young. A decision was made to run just half of the Traverse, starting from the Northern Berg at the Sentinel Car Park and running through to the Central Berg at Monks Cowl.
Pierre Jordaan, a seasoned Traverse Trail Runner, accompanied the boys as a guide. Starting at 03h00 on Monday the 27th of March, the team ran 75 km. Overnighting in Didima Cave. The day was tough as this was the boys' longest hiking day ever, previously Jarred had only covered 40km in a day’s hike, and Kai had only covered 60km in a day’s hike.
The route contained many ascents and descents, which combined with the distance and time, took an effect on the team’s knees and legs. Tuesday the 28th of March, saw the boys starting at 06h00 and beginning the final 25km descent down Grays pass to Monks Cowl.
Overall the trip was incredible, covering 100km. Running a half Traverse is the most difficult challenge that Jarred and Kai have accomplished. The physicality of the run, combined with the time spent running on Day 1, which was 18 hours, made this a challenging yet rewarding expedition.
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