IT is Lightfoot against the Otter giant again, but this time it is a mother and son challenge – a rare combination of team-mates and competitors simultaneously.
Other factors add spice to the story.
Overly energetic son, Ryan (19), was born in a motor vehicle on his way to a Port Elizabeth hospital, holds four South African longboard titles and wants to start with an IT-degree next year, but is serious about changing the last part of his gap year into a gruelling experience by tackling the Otter Trail.
Mom, Louisa (54), and her husband were business owners in Jeffreys Bay and have been living here for decades.
And she is now spending as much time as possible for charity. She has already done the Otter a couple of times and might just have some undisclosed tricks up her sleeve. All this makes for huge excitement, and one seriously doubts the possibility of their helping each other cross the finish line.
The Otter Trail (named after the clawless otter in the region) was established in 1968 and is probably the best and most beautiful in South Africa. It runs from Storms River Mouth and ends at De Vasselot Rest Camp in Natures Valley. Though exploring it as the bird flies, is virtually as easy as pie, the trail itself is not for the faint-hearted.
The 45km long hike follows the spectacular coastline of the Garden Route. The five days’ walk, scramble, swim, back-breaking ascents and descents, run from sea-level to about 150m above – and take one straight up the mountain and straight down.
Depending on sea-tides, one might have to swim a few times. Everything is carried in 15kg backpacks, and the only light in the tunnel are the rest camps at the end of each day’s climb. Only the fittest survive.
Perhaps the selflessness of the two climbers forms the real pathos of the coming event – their motive being to highlight the plight of animals and to raise funds for Jeffreys Bay Animal Rescue Sanctuary.
The family’s exceptional love for animals is the outcome of their (mostly humoristic) involvement with rescue dogs. Since Bones (describing its skinny condition when found) and Freeway (obviously picked up along the road), they now have Mea (after the Meander Train in Transkei). Kitty was rescued from street people who had given it an overdose of liquor, and then there are Bob the dove and Edward the egret.
Louisa has named her latest adventure in November “Back a Buddy,” because, she says, all a Buddy needs is a forever home. This dream is partly fulfilled by the local animal sanctuary, where her involvement was sparked when they helped her with Mea.
“This group of passionate people makes a huge difference in the world of needy animals,” Louisa says. “They spay and inoculate, as well asassisting in many other ways, while also looking after animals and relocating them.”
She makes an ardent plea for people to support the sanctuary and to donate anything they can afford. The process to donate money is simple for internet users. Just log in to https://www.back a buddy.co.za/hiking-the-otter-trail-for-the-animals, and fill in your accounts details.
Nina’s Restaurant has a donation box. To add lustre to the event, one’s name will be entered into a lucky draw for every R50 donation.
Other prizes include Nina’s vouchers, holiday accommodation in Jeffreys Bay, Carami Macrami and a high power torch.
For more information, contact Louisa at 042 296 2620 or cell 082 657 2780.
