The legendary, annual GSB ‘Three Peaks’ took place on Sunday, 22 October and could not have had a more perfect setting, with overwhelming support from the GSB and nature/ God – and a great crew of participants.

Everything was in the hike’s favour. Everything! The weather was too good to describe.  Perfect. The route, although becoming more overgrown every year, was still incredibly scenic and as enjoyable as ever. The spirit and camaraderie of all those who partook could not have been more fun, good-natured and motivating. And the Brig afterwards spectacular.

Our planned start of 6 a.m. got pushed back about 7-8 minutes, but the numbers grew from about 8 to nearly 25. We left at about 6:08 a.m. but unfortunately, some people started quickly lagging.  I never know why or how this happens. I was carrying a large, reasonably full pack (approx. 20 lbs) with medical supplies, ropes, eats, water, clothing, etc. and the initial walk and pace were very moderate. We initially took many regular breaks and were all taking photos constantly throughout. Yet By Fireman’s watch (halfway to Devil’s Peak), the group had split into 3 spread-apart sections.

The main actors in my finishing group were Josh Chigome (MBA 2022/23), Sam the ‘Kenyan’ (MBA 2003/4), Alan Allison (MBA 2010) and his son Luca and Mendo Sibusisiwe (MSc, UCT). These five youngsters were on good behaviour the whole day and we had a great team effort bundo-bashing the trail from Knife’s Edge to the top of Devils Peak and then from below Devil’s Peak up through Ledges onto the top of Table Mountain on up to Maclear’s Beacon.

Allan proved the toughness of his Alumni class by bathing in the deep pool of clear but cold mountain water just after we summited Ledges. At Maclear’s we took many Team photos and then picked up the pace, choosing the spectacular trail to Platteklip that runs all along Table Mountain’s edge looking down into the City Bowl. What a magnificent few kilometres that route is!

But once we reached the top of Platteklip I had to shed my shoes and massage my cramping, throbbing feet and toes. Josh tried seducing me into taking the Cable Car down saying I could join them at the bottom. I almost took him up on that suggestion too but couldn’t let the ‘lighties’ show me up.  So off we went down Platteklip followed by one last break at the bottom. From then on we vowed  “no more breaks until we summit’. We would now ‘give it stick’. No more slacking off until reaching the top of Lion’s Head.

Unfortunately- I only made it to the bottom of LH and then couldn’t go on. My feet and toes were excruciating.  Sam turned around and assisted my massaging by pouring his water on them.  Oh wow!  I was in heaven.

Feeling invigorated I said “Come Sam. We’ll catch those children and put them in their place” and off we went.  But it wasn’t until the chains, 3 quarters of the way up that we caught our comrades. I’m sure they thought we were ghosts, especially with all my deep breathing and moaning. I so wanted to just ‘dump my pack.’

Anyways, we caught up and in the end, managed to ‘peak’ Lion’s Head at about 1:00 pm. I think Sam and Luca tied for first place, followed by me two minutes later, followed by Mendu a minute later and then Sam and Alan. These youngsters had too much energy as they soon wanted to descend ‘just’ as I was getting comfortable stripping down and stretching out. I wanted to spend a few hours enjoying the fruits of our labour. But ‘they’ obviously wanted to start partying at the school as soon as possible.

Well, the Brig beckoned and Asanda Mcoyana (UCT GSB Alumni Relations Manager) did a sterling job of organising such a wonderful spread of luscious food. ‘Out of this world burgers’ (with all the trimmings) and accompanying side dishes and salads and two wonderful barmen Max Vehmeyer and Durand Pelser (both MBA2023 current students) minding the very well-stocked Brig.

The GSB just keeps getting better and better every year in every respect! No question about it. I don’t know how they can improve further. And they provide ‘so much’ in these Annual 3 Peaks and Alumni Weeks that I just know every single student and alumni ‘must’ regret not taking advantage of so much more of it. I could easily have spent until 9:00 pm in that Brig and I so wish every full-time and part-time MBA Student had been with us here that day (that week!) and every Alumni currently living in a 50-kilometre radius of Cape Town.

I don’t think any university in the world has done so much for its students and alumni in all I saw and experienced all Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the GSB. Amen.

Thank you ‘everyone’ at GSB for what you’ve done, did, and are doing. There has ‘got’ to be a special place in heaven for all of you.

Here’s to doing it all over again in 2024!

Thank you everyone!