25 April 2007
Mountain Mania 2007!!! - ONLY 5 SLEEPS TO GO!

To all you hard core, want to be, have been, part time, nothing better to do, ROCK Climbers!!!!

The count down has begun!

Now it is time to polish up on those plans, do the last set of training pull ups, and get ready for the annual pilgrimage out to Montagu for the 6th Cogmans Rock Rally.

This year some of my dreams have come true.

- Firstly, we have T.V. (Supersport ) coverage for the event. This will be awesome for sponsors and bring climbing to the public like never before.

- Secondly, we have a professional team that is working together and have a vision for greater things, two event coordinators are involved. Magnetic South and CheriTop.

- Thirdly, a fourth event has been added that will offer everyone something different and extend the day into the night.

- Fourthly, I have a sponsor that is local, has an interest in what we do and backs us all the way. Van Loveren winery is the new sponsor of the Rock Rally and are committed to making it a great event.

Now, here are some tips as to how you should go about things and what is on offer.

- Firstly, try and register on Friday night, this way you get a good spot to camp, can go swim and loosen up in the hot springs already, enjoy the Pasta Extravaganza and get a good nights sleep under the fresh Karoo sky.

- Make use of the shuttle bus between De Bos and the Springs on Saturday morning, departures at 07h15 and 07h45. Parking at the Springs will be hectic, registration ends at 08h00 give or take a few minutes.

- Make use of the shuttle bus between the Avalon Springs, Legoland and Barry Street through the day. First bus leaves Springs direction Legoland at 08h45.

- Departure times between Legoland and Springs and Springs and De Bos in the evening will be on your score card.

- No need to pack pots, pans, wors and the kitchen sink. Well priced catering is on offer at the Springs, from pancakes and coffee to Spit Braai and wine tasting. The evening catering has been guaranteed by the Springs after letting us down two years ago! There is also a Buffet on Saturday evening.

- If you are a runner or a biker, there is an awesome opportunity to take up the challenge after the days climbing. The Petzl Adventure Nights starts two hours after climbing is over and an hour after prize giving. Prize giving is at the Springs.

- Stay on at the Springs to swim, chow, taste wine and cheer on the night owls and catch a bus back to town and De Bos at 20h00 and 22h00. There will be good sound thumping through the night at the Magnetic South tent. Fires will be burning to help keep things hot !!!

- The Rugby will be screened at the Magnetic South tent on big screen !!!

- There will be loads of spot prizes, but everyone who takes part is a winner already.

- Check out www.mountainmania.co.za for more info.

- Entry fee is R80.00 per team of two, there will be a small goodie bag for the first 50 teams and every entrant gets free entry to the Springs for the weekend !!!

Rule number one is "crank until you drop !"

Rule number two is "come out and have loads of fun !!"

Rule number three is "crank until you drop !!!"

Be here or loose out !!!!

The difference between a good wine and me, is "the older I get the better I was!"

Montagu Mountain Mania is just around the corner, on the weekend of the 19th and 20th of May to be exact!Yes that's in three weeks.

This years M3 has 4 amazing adventure sports events on offer for all those hard core people who love flinging their mind and body at the challenges in the mountains out here in Montagu.

The Cogmans Rock Rally is one of those events, and proud to be in its sixth year now. The rules are similar to last year, the only addition is the on-site and flash bonus points and the smiley faces which will only appear on certain routes. An on-site will count for two grades harder and a flash will count for one grade harder, a smiley face will add one grade to the route. So! If you on-sight a 20 with a smiley it will count as a 23. This will give those who do not climb here all the time a good chance, if they put in the extra effort that an on-site or flash require. Climbing will take place on the crags in Badkloof and Donkerkloof, Legoland, Bosch, Ramset and Steeple (front). Unfortunately Hotel Crag and The Bar will not be on the list of routes, due to developments in the pool area, the water slide.

The vibe at the Avalon Springs is guaranteed to be thumping, with the addition of the Petzl Adventure Nights. Magneticsouth will have a tent with good sound and DVD show.

Those climbers who have some energy left can move on after the prize giving and take part in one of the night events. You can try the run, the bike or both. There is also the pro or fun distances. The Avalon Springs will be putting on chow for the hungry masses and there is a cash bar next to the pools. Remember you get free entry to the Springs for the weekend when you enter one of the events!! There will be a shuttle bus between De Bos and The Avalon Springs from early in the morning till late at night. The bus will also operate between the Springs, Barry Street and Legoland through the day. The idea being, that you pack all your goodies for the day, and night if you take part in the night race (don't forget the head torch!!) and head out to the Springs early in the morning. All food is available at the Springs at very good prices. After climbing it's off for a dip in the pool and a beer or two, then the prize giving and then cheer the night race guys on, or even take part. After all the activities you get a ride back to town (De Bos) and go to bed.

For more detailed info check out www.mountainmania.co.za or mail Stuart on sdbrown@mweb.co.za

This should be yet another awesome event, be there!