T-Bob Posted March 16, 2017 Posted March 16, 2017 Oh, that was you!? Grey top with an exhausted look.. I remember it well. Exhausted? I prefer to think of it as 'focused' but that was my last lap and I've no qualms in saying I was properly shelled by that point.
Flowta Posted March 16, 2017 Posted March 16, 2017 Next question, please... Essentially boils down to cost of keeping marshalls there for the week. As soon as the gums are gone (please go fast!) This shouldn't be a problem anymore... Are they deliberately delaying the gums coming down?
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted March 17, 2017 Posted March 17, 2017 Are they deliberately delaying the gums coming down?Which "they" are you referring to? Parks, or the loggers? If the former - not that I'm aware of. If the latter, then there was a period where (apparently) it wasn't economically viable to fell any, due to it being summer or something along those lines and the market being a bit saturated. With winter around the corner, that's not as much of an issue anymore and I think that's why logging has started up again. Deon will know more, being on the ground far more often than I.
(Deon) Posted March 17, 2017 Author Posted March 17, 2017 Which "they" are you referring to? Parks, or the loggers? If the former - not that I'm aware of. If the latter, then there was a period where (apparently) it wasn't economically viable to fell any, due to it being summer or something along those lines and the market being a bit saturated. With winter around the corner, that's not as much of an issue anymore and I think that's why logging has started up again. Deon will know more, being on the ground far more often than I. If the post means to ask what the delay is, then yes, it's market related. But I read that question as, are they (whoever) deliberately delaying the cutting of the gums? and would have to follow up with, "What purpose would that 'conspiracy' serve?"
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted March 17, 2017 Posted March 17, 2017 If the post means to ask what the delay is, then yes, it's market related. But I read that question as, are they (whoever) deliberately delaying the cutting of the gums? and would have to follow up with, "What purpose would that 'conspiracy' serve?"Nah, man. If Parks were deliberately delaying, there'd need to be a reason. There was a deliberate delay from the loggers. Due to the reason I highlighted above, correct? So no conspiracy.
(Deon) Posted March 17, 2017 Author Posted March 17, 2017 Are they deliberately delaying the gums coming down?No
(Deon) Posted March 17, 2017 Author Posted March 17, 2017 Nah, man. If Parks were deliberately delaying, there'd need to be a reason. There was a deliberate delay from the loggers. Due to the reason I highlighted above, correct? So no conspiracy. If you mean the market was deliberately closed due to the onset of the monsoon season and thereby causing a delay, I'd have to agree with your explanation. So yes.
marko35s Posted March 17, 2017 Posted March 17, 2017 Nah, man. If Parks were deliberately delaying, there'd need to be a reason. There was a deliberate delay from the loggers. Due to the reason I highlighted above, correct? So no conspiracy. Sort of.The market for gums is seasonal and the market closed before they got through all the trees, and unfortunately they can't be cut down and stored for future sale as they apparently lose all value.
Flowta Posted March 17, 2017 Posted March 17, 2017 Sort of.The market for gums is seasonal and the market closed before they got through all the trees, and unfortunately they can't be cut down and stored for future sale as they apparently lose all value.Then to add to the seasonal thing there was a problem with the work practices of the loggers doing the cutting that led to them being told they were no longer wanted on site (think along the lines of oil, dirt, cans etc being jettisoned in water courses). That of course meant finding someone new to do the job, and that ain't happening quickly...Also just to muddy the waters a little more some of the gum trees were the property of MTO and some belonged to SANParks. MTO now appear to be in the process of removing the remaining ones that belong to them (the patch around level 1) so they at least should be dealt with sooner rather than later. Thank you Marko for this. This is the kind of response I was hoping for.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted March 17, 2017 Posted March 17, 2017 Sort of.The market for gums is seasonal and the market closed before they got through all the trees, and unfortunately they can't be cut down and stored for future sale as they apparently lose all value.Then to add to the seasonal thing there was a problem with the work practices of the loggers doing the cutting that led to them being told they were no longer wanted on site (think along the lines of oil, dirt, cans etc being jettisoned in water courses). That of course meant finding someone new to do the job, and that ain't happening quickly...Also just to muddy the waters a little more some of the gum trees were the property of MTO and some belonged to SANParks. MTO now appear to be in the process of removing the remaining ones that belong to them (the patch around level 1) so they at least should be dealt with sooner rather than later. Shot dude. Makes it far clearer. Id forgotten about their pollution of the area. Thank you Marko for this. This is the kind of response I was hoping for.Yeah, far more useful than mine...
(Deon) Posted March 17, 2017 Author Posted March 17, 2017 Quote: "Then to add to the seasonal thing there was a problem with the work practices of the loggers doing the cutting that led to them being told they were no longer wanted on site (think along the lines of oil, dirt, cans etc being jettisoned in water courses). That of course meant finding someone new to do the job, and that ain't happening quickly..." To add a bit of clarity, this bit from Mark is actually incorrect but close to the events that took place. There were two groups working in the area simultaneously, at times sharing the same resources so it's easy to see how confusion could creep in. The (1) gum contractor was not told to leave and the pollution of the water course was due to the (2) woodcutters negligence. The woodcutters were promptly dismissed until they could clean the area of pollution and sort out their work practices (their contract has subsequently been reinstated). The gum contractor worked until May 2016 up to the Indonesian market for gums closing but as they had not completed their project, and were not prepared to lose the value of the wood by felling before the market reopened, they missed their completion date stipulated in the PFMA required tender. They were invited to tender for the remaining compartments but only on condition that the area was cleaned of debris to the standards detailed in the lease with MTO. They are there now cleaning the area and felling the remaining trees in the MTO block and the SANParks block is up for tender. Anyway, back to the topic.
splat Posted March 17, 2017 Posted March 17, 2017 Next question, please... Essentially boils down to cost of keeping marshalls there for the week. As soon as the gums are gone (please go fast!) This shouldn't be a problem anymore... Who are these marshals and what do they do?Are they dotted around Tokai making sure that we stay on the designated trails? This didn't used to be an issue, did it?
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted March 17, 2017 Posted March 17, 2017 Who are these marshals and what do they do?Are they dotted around Tokai making sure that we stay on the designated trails? This didn't used to be an issue, did it?Yes. Manning the cutoff area at lower vasbyt, so we don't go down to the gum area, and at junctions where we're not allowed to ride. It was a condition of "early opening" and the public liability, afaik. They're also at the top to scout for undesirables.
partydave Posted March 17, 2017 Posted March 17, 2017 well its between this, or the Transition day at Jonkers Please tell me more. Cheap way to get a ride out while I'm n CT and not having to rent a bike
marko35s Posted March 17, 2017 Posted March 17, 2017 Who are these marshals and what do they do?Are they dotted around Tokai making sure that we stay on the designated trails? This didn't used to be an issue, did it?The marshals were part of a requirement for opening the area up. What do they do? Some are placed to prevent entry to off limits areas others are put in places to provide security/early warning in areas where crime has happened in the past. Because of them we have, let's call it 'assisted', several dodgy characters to leave the park, driven injured riders off the mountain and assisted injured and lost hikers. Regardless of whether it was an issue in the past it is now because of the burnt gum trees. Like it or not there are a small percentage of people that ignore signage, requests, advice etc and head straight into the off limits areas and every single time that happens it strengthens SANParks case for requiring the marshals.
Meezo Posted March 17, 2017 Posted March 17, 2017 Please tell me more. Cheap way to get a ride out while I'm n CT and not having to rent a bike https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/166980-transition-bikes-cape-town-demo-weekend-17-21-march/
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