Status:PreparationTrekkingChilling

Walking from Johannesburg to Cape Town

Hi, my name is Gregory Gerhardt. I work for Drupal agency Amazee Labs. After three years of employment we get one month off to free our mind and do something really extreme. My project? I'm walking from Johannesburg to Cape Town. See my route

Posted by Gregory Gerhardt
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2

It was a beautiful but extremly long day to Parys. 16 hours and I feel like a Bakkie (South African for pickup) has hit my legs and reversed over my feet. Time to sleep and recover. Need to come up with a Mantra that helps me fight my inner schweinehund.

Posted by Gregory Gerhardt
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7

Today was the day! I started in Downtown Johannesburg at 05.30 from the Ashanti Urban Hotel at 10 Anderson street. Perfect temperature, dry, the smell of the big city, armies of minitaxis rushing into town, horns, black ladies singing on their way to work. After a few hours I reached buzzing Soweto, one of the most colourful places I've come across.

Posted by Gregory Gerhardt
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7

Isn't this dangerous? Will you be carrying a gun? What does your wife say? Won't your son miss you? Most reactions focused on the risk aspects of my journey. I undertake it for simple reasons: The trek represents a physical challenge and counterpoint to the softness of my everyday life in a smoothly functioning, predictable environment. I want to reflect on the past and the future. I want to grasp the width and the richness of the South African landscape and its wonderful people. I want to open my mind and sharpen my senses to a changing environment day and night.

Posted by Gregory Gerhardt
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0

Arrived at the Southern tip of Africa yesterday. Enjoying my stay-over and a send-off breakfast at the absolutely charming Victorian Guest House Nine Flowers in central Cape Town. Perfect weather, wonderful hospitality (will be sorely missed on my walk!). Thanks a lot!

Posted by Gregory Gerhardt
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I haven't mentioned all my equipment yet, however, there's lots to do in the remaining 21 hours until I do my first steps through Johannesburg. Let me wrap up with  a combined overview of my equipment weighing a total of 10'370 grams (food and water excluded).