OD11 digital HR - Flipbook - Page 55
EPIC
PHOTOGRAPHS GALLO IMAGES, THEO FORSYTH, CHRIS EDWARDS
THANKS TO GRAHAM ROBERTSON FOR HIS ASSISTANCE IN COMPILING THEO’S REPORT.
LEFT Dads and
sons reunited
and sharing
war stories on
the last night
of Epic 2024.
difficult when we couldn’t find
a suitable sleeping spot where
we’d originally planned to stay.
This made our day longer, as we
had to descend Klein Duiwelsgat
– a place I can confidently say is
one of my least favourite in the
Cederberg. The two-hour, nonstop
downhill trek was gruelling, but
we finally reached our campsite
at Cascade Pool and encountered
another group who were scheduled
to sleep there. We could, at least,
swim in ice-cold pools, a welcome
relief from the intense daily heat.
“On the last day, made shorter
thanks to the long downhill
encountered the day before,
we hiked to Algeria and then
cycled to Waterbase, where
we enjoyed various activities,
including raft-building and racing,
sailing, kayaking, waterskiing and
wakeboarding. After Waterbase,
we moved on to Jamaka, a relaxing
place we all enjoyed, despite our
tent blowing over once or twice.
“At Jamaka, we also had our
24-hour solo, an experience few
people ever get to have if they do
not have the opportunity like the
one we are given on Epic. It was
an emotional time for many of
us, especially when we read the
letters from our fathers and loved
ones. Those messages had a deep
impact, and we will carry them
with us for a long time.
“Following Jamaka, we embarked
on our boys-only hike, without any
staff to accompany us. These
were the final few days of Epic.
On the first day, after scrutinising
the planned route the night before,
my sat-phone training came
in handy. At the top of a cliff
we had just summited, I had
to assist in evacuating someone
with a concussion, which meant
returning to Jamaka for the night.
When I rejoined my group the next
day, I found them exhausted and
struggling. Their hike had been
brutal, and the night was even
worse – there was little space
to sleep, minimal water, and
barely any gas left. But we
pushed through.
“On the final stretch, we raced
over Wolfberg, stopping a number
of times to admire the Wolfberg
Arch and the breathtaking views.
We reached the top of the Wolfberg
Cracks in great time, and had to
wait a bit before being brought
down. The walk into Sanddrif
was a moment of pure relief,
and I felt an overwhelming
sense of accomplishment.
“Our last night in the Cederberg
was incredible. We indulged in
food we thought we’d never see
again, reunited with our fathers,
and enjoyed a proper night’s sleep
– not on a rock for a change!
Overall, Epic was an unforgettable
experience, one that I’d do again in
a heartbeat. Nothing can replace
the memories and friendships
I made along the way.”
DADS ON PATROL
Of the 144 boys on 2024 Epic,
eight were the sons of veterans
of the Adventure Course.
Chris Edwards (1993G),
father of Matthew (F),
compares the experiences
“In many ways, the Epic as it is
today is incomparable to what
I recall of the Adventure Course
in 1991. Back then, it was around
five or six days. Now it’s 16 days,
with all sorts of additional elements
and lots more preparation. The
outreach work, which we didn’t
have, seems to really affect the
boys – from what I heard, the
experience of the school at
Elizabethfontein was the most
emotional and humbling. They
also learn various technical skills,
from abseiling and astronomy
to fishing and water sports.
“When the dads headed up
for the final night of Epic – another
thing we didn’t get to experience
ourselves – we did our best to put
on a delicious braai because we felt
the boys had earned it. They had
been tested. It was quite something
to stand on the outskirts of the
boys’ conversations, listening to
their war stories – the fun, the pain,
the ‘tribal councils’, the friendships.
“At its core, the Epic is still about
discovering what you’re made
of, learning independence and
initiative, and pulling together.
Back in my day, I remember
thinking before we got to the
Cederberg that I had some weirdos
in my group – but by the end of it,
my expectations had been upended,
and I had formed these unlikely new
friendships. Matthew had almost
exactly the same experience.
“I’m sure the Epic will be one
of his favourite memories from
Bishops, like the Adventure Course
was for me.”
THE OLD DIOCESAN | 53
