(Deon)

Actually, we should split these two events.. Next week, 5 July, monthly Saturday build day...

I got the patrol thing approved with Parks in 2012 but how many people do you need to encounter 4 guys, 3 hidden in bushes with guns, and win? The problem is not on the mountain, it's in the suburbs and it is spilling over into areas we thought safe, or "should be" safe. Kids are killed for apples, gunned down in the streets in front of people in broad daylight. To think that the mountain is isolated from this is naive and needs very carful consideration. Tik is unforgiving. The man might have even said yes and reached for his phone.. What I am saying is being seen from the perspective that I somehow condone what happened, or looking for ways to justify his death. Shame on you! What I would rather have is that everyone who volunteers for this "solution" knows what they are getting into, or those who are in the situation can do everything in their power to walk out alive.

Absolve the guy from murder, is that what you think I'm saying? "Excuses" for wanting to know what the investigation uncovers. You said it already. 4 guys detained for suspicion and now we must send good meaning people into a situation we know nothing about. Go and chat to a few guys who know the Cape flats.. these are not stupid people. You see one but there are several.. with guns. You think facts count for nothing? When someone is murdered I say facts are our best weapon.

@dips Is it not ok to to want to know more?

The question was raised at the start, what does a hiker have on him that could provoke a violent attack like this? Did the situation escalate? Do we know what we are dealing with? I for one would like to have answers before setting out on my bike. Guns are being found on shoplifters in Tokai.. petty thieves. Would you not want to know this before grabbing his arm in the shop?

Until we know what transpired, grabbing the pitchforks may not be the best advice. I for one am interested in what the investigation finds. Anything could have happened, he might have said something, we all know tik is unforgiving.

Ha, never did I think anyone would try answer that, least of all you Liezel. At least I didn't say anything about those bar ends.. that would have been embarrassing! HA HA! Welcome to the hub? No mention of the perp either? Very happy for you

Oh, is it cream??

Indeed RIP.

Who, what, where, how and why? Really, the reporting these days..

Nooo, really? Did you guys hear that a shopping complex is planned for the Arboretum and Listers will become "Lusters" as part of the Adult World chain? I swear, I read it this morning!!

I see where you're going but would it not be less burden to just agree on a percentage? Either way you will be negotiating with SANParks but adding an administration cost.

Some lessons are learnt slowly, for some reason, I don't now why.

Will know after the next meeting if one is available and at what cost, if any. One is needed in the next few months for trail rationalisation, could piggyback on that to save if there is a fee.

I was going to ask. If anyone knows, it'd be you... Question, do you have a 'suit' hanging next to your table incase of a bad shake? Can you cycle in that suit and it it tear resistant?

Haha, you do realise that it is the same mountain on both sides..? The water does not fill up on one side of the bucket. Just yanking your chain! Not ruling it out but do keep in mind that S'West, Gordons bay and Stellies all had slides on the same night. Would have been a bit more than mild to shake right across the bay.

I've been advised to look into a geotech to provide input and two weeks ago made contact with a group who have all the needed professional facilities at their disposal.. Will have a follow up meeting soon to discuss Tokai trail specifics. It's very clear that the mountain is retaining a lot more water with the pine removal. How high the table extends is anyone's guess but after cutting the Snake trail 3 months after the pine was felled, I can tell you that water retention is immediate! Pine really does suck a lot of water. Yes, the Switchbacks have been pine cleared for many years but the mountain is not isolated individual slopes. Gum trees suck even more and on the reserve side of this slope, all the gum has been ringbarked up to the border fence. This is probably why suddenly two slippages have occurred in short space of each other. It will more than likely stabilise as the ground changes, the slippage is the natural path water will follow from now and essentially it's pulled the 'plug' on the retention. It will all start again if/when the rest of the gum is removed.. so expect the worst. The engineer should have some solutions, short-term and/or long-term.

Slippage is natural, not much we could do except pick up the pieces and start again. You'd think the people of Bangladesh have asked themselves this same question. I don't think I would even know the place existed had a village not been in the line of mudslides almost every year.

If you recall the rains were 'over' when the second slip occurred, so in my experience it is better to not even attempt a guess. Slip or not, the trail cannot be left as is, runoff is needed.

Hey, 26er vs 29er debate.. I love these!!

Correct, it will basically be preventative maintenance just to keep it from further deterioration.

Haaahaha! I fall about laughing when I see it... but hey, each to their own.

You'd think logic would play a role but then one needs logic to know entitlement is damaging our sport. So I guess not, hey.

In short, yes.