South African sets up a “13 peaks challenge” to get people back on Table Mountain… taking it back from the criminals.
Cape Town, South Africa (06 February 2020) – Ryan Sandes is a trail runner with love for Table Mountain and the 13 peaks found throughout the mountain range. Ryan decided to map the peaks and develop a challenge that included all 13 of them.
“13 Peaks was born from the idea of me wanting to link up some of my favourite peaks on Table Mountain and in the Cape Peninsula area. One evening I sketched those peaks out in my notepad and linked them up in a logical route that would make for a great adventure. I wanted the start and finish to be in the same place to mimic the famous “rounds” in the UK.
The distance between peaks did not look too far on my sketch and I guesstimated it to be about 55km. I convinced my buddy, Kane Reilly to join me for this fun day out, exploring the Cape Peninsula on foot. 19 hours later, having covered over 100km with 6000 meters of vertical we made it off the mountain. We only summited 12.5 peaks due to our headlamp batteries dying but we both described the 13 Peaks experience as one of the most epic mountain adventures we have been on.”
Ryan knew he needed to share this challenge with his fellow hiking enthusiasts.
“There is something really magical about the Table Mountain area and to be able to experience it on foot takes it to a whole new level. Kane and I never completed the full route but we both promised to go back and complete it. This got me thinking … how cool would it be if more people could experience the 13 Peaks?
For most people completing the route on foot in one day is not doable and that is why I have created a one day, two day and multi-day category to make the 13 Peaks possible for everyone (hiker and runners). It’s about getting out there and exploring our beautiful wilderness areas.”
Ryan has set up the following challenges:
One-day challenge – complete the 13 peaks in 24 hours.
Two-day challenge – complete the 13 peaks in 48 hours.
Multi-day / speed challenge – complete the 13 peaks in as many days as you like. For the multi-day option, your time stops when you leave the route and starts again once you start the route but you must re-enter the route at the same spot you left it.
The route goes as follows – Start & finish at Signal Hill and tag peaks 1 -13 in that order.
- Signal Hill
- Lions Head
- Maclears Beacon
- Grootkop
- Judas Peak
- Klein Leeu Kop
- Suther Peak
- Chapmans Peak
- Noordhoek Peak
- Muizenberg Peak
- Constantiaberg
- Klassenkop
- Devils Peak
There are only two rules says Ryan, “Don’t be a chop and keep safe”. The challenge was also created as a way for people to take back the mountains and that had previously been “taken over” by criminals. The more people out on the mountain the fewer chance criminals have to attack isolated people! So in effect, Ryan has started a #takebackthemountains movement too!
There is even a wall of fame so if you are interested in taking on one of the challenges, you can find out more via the website here.