Well this is the
last newsletter “From the Chair” for the current Club Hiking year. In August we have the Club AGM when the
new hiking year starts again. Time
does fly. We trust that all our club
members will make an effort and join your committee and hike leaders to thank
them for the effort that they have put into our club this past year.
For those who have
not hiked this winter because of colds , flu , bronchitis , or the weather
being too cold , well the good news is that we should by now all be over the
“not feeling very well” syndrome, and that the winter cold now really sets
in. September is usually a very cold
time of the year, so plan to hike as soon as you have a chance before the cold
really sets in. The best part about hiking at this time of the year, is one can
experience the most wonderful sunsets and sunrises. The atmosphere is dirty with the smoke of the winter veld
burning, however this gives rise to the most fantastic colours in the evening
and early sunrises – pinks, reds, purples, mauves and a hazy blue. From higher up, the lowlands are almost
like dreamlike places, covered in pockets of mist and haze that gives a fairy
like landscape. So, make a plan, get
to the berg, get up early and experience an early sunrise.
Club Happenings
Club support has
been variable, to a day hike being cancelled, and a weekend hike at Garden
Castle also having no takers. The other hikes have been enjoyed by those
who attended, from the day beach hike, to the walk up Sani Pass to overnight at
the Highest Pub in Africa, and a slow walk down again next day.
I would again
remind hikers that whilst on a day or longer hike, the hike leader is in sole
charge of the group, and that any decision that he makes be adhered to. By not doing as the leader requests, the
whole party can be put in an uncompromising position, and this is not
acceptable.
Further, it is
advisable that hikers check the weather forecast for the period of the hike,
and bring sufficient clothes and food for the trip, and be fit enough to do the
hike. On two occasions I have not been
well and have gone on a hike which I should not have done. In both cases the hike was not what it
should have been due to my state of fitness at the time, and the other members
had to worry about getting to the overnight destination in time, and me staying
alive. As I was the leader for one of
the trips it was a difficult decision to make – I should have stayed in bed. So please check with the hike leader before
hand if you are not sure of what to take, or the difficulty of that particular
hike.
Also as the winter
continues, water spots dry up, and the carrying of water is essential, fill
your waterbottle at every stream that you come to, the rest of the day may be
dry. This includes hikes as well. Also
for those who plan overnight hike , an empty 5lt wine vat is an essential part
of your kit, you may have to carry water a long way from where you
overnight. Dave
WELCOME
Welcome to new
member Anne-Lize Rosslee – we hope you enjoy many hiking hours in our
company. We now have 144 paid-up
members for 2004-05 year. We had 133
members in 2003-04 so the club continues to grow in membership numbers but not
necessarily in keen participants. Come
on folks get those legs walking!
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Members are
reminded that the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING scheduled for Tuesday, 16 August at
the Hilton Hotel, commences at 19:30 (as per attached Notice of
Meeting). The meeting will be followed
by a Finger Supper which will be subsidized by the Club, while the cost to
members will be R20 per head. In
order to facilitate catering arrangements members intending to attend the AGM
are requested to advise Irene Dickin on 033 342 3-12 /
072 484 9252 /
e-mail Irene@pid.co.za by Wednesday, 10
August 2005. Your co-operation is much
appreciated. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
The new Club year
commences on 1 August 2005 and members are reminded that annual subscriptions
at R40 single membership and R60 family membership will then be due.
Subscriptions may
be paid at the Annual General Meeting on 16 August or deposited direct into the
Club Bank account at Nedbank Hilton Branch, Account No 1519007299 with a copy
of the deposit slip including your personal details faxed to Keith Ashton on
033 330 3763. In terms of the
Constitution subscriptions should be paid within three months of the commencement
of the new Club year. Should your
payment not be received by the end of October 2005, and your Club not be
advised to the contrary, it will be assumed that you no longer wish to be a
member of the Club and your name will be removed from the schedule.
Somewhere
in the e-mail system this write-up by Christeen went astray, but despite the
delay I am sure our members will enjoy reading all about it.
PADDY’S WALK – BOSTON – ABOUT 12 km
6 July 2003
The morning started clear, but very cold, thick crusty frost right up
to the house. Thirty-five intrepid hikers gathered at the Boston Country Club
at 9.00am, from the Midlands Hiking Club, Mountain Backpackers and local Boston
B’Ramblers, everyone trying to find a sunny windfree spot! We all drove our vehicles to nearby Netherby
Farm, which was to be the end point of the days walk, and fitted ourselves into
a smaller number of vehicles to drive on up the Dargle road to Boston View
Farm, the start.
We’d been lulled into feeling warmer as we drove along, on climbing out
the cold wind brought winter back, a good incentive for a brisk start along a
gradual incline. Three Blesbuck watched us from a vantage point, two Secretary
birds flew by and a Rock Kestrel soared up into blue skies looking for a
meal. A wonderful chatter of happy
camaraderie filled the quiet farmland.
Our tea spot, a clear beacon on the ridge, beckoning with the lure of
hot refreshment. The climb up was
fairly steep through an “Ouhout” Lucosidea
sericea scrub. The two young boys
on the hike spotted two shy reedbuck on the slopes below us; the buck quickly
disappeared into the scrub.
The views of 360 degrees, Dargle; the Karkloof; Hilton; Ncwadi Valley;
Bulwer Mountain; the Boston Valley, a patchwork of farmland and to the right
the Inhlosane Ridge, were lovely, a just reward. Unfortunately the air was quite hazy from the firebreak burning
during the week and the distant Drakensberg Mountains were a smudge on the
horizon. Sheltering from the chill
breeze amongst the rocks we sunned ourselves, gazed, ate and chatted. Despite the cold weather and burning there
were a few brave flowers open, a dainty blue flower, Sutera floribunda, had found a sheltered niche amongst the
rocks. The occasional skink scuttled
into sight, their sunning rocks now occupied.
Keeping to the high ground we walked through winter brown grass, and on
to where a small steam slipped down through a little valley, for our
lunch. Then the long walk down, our party
stretched like a multi-coloured snake, leaving a well-flattened trail behind it
through the grass! At the bottom of
the hill we encountered a bramble thicket where we needed to cross a river,
living up to the Boston B’Ramblers name!
A way was found through it and an easy fording place. Netherby Farm spread neatly before us; lush
green rye grass belying the season, black and white Friesland cows contentedly
chewing the cud, scattered over pastures.
Paddy and Sue Carr waited at the farmhouse with tea and coffee for
everyone, a wonderful end to a great day. Many thanks to Philip for arranging
and ably leading, such an enjoyable outing.
Christeen Grant
TREASURE BEACH (MOONLIGHT) WALK
27 November 2004.
This was the night that the moon hid under her blanket of cloud. Tessa very ably drove Ann (a friend) and
me to Durban in torrential rain on the afternoon to participate in the beach
walk. Luckily for us the rain eased
before we arrived at the Wessa Headquarters in the Bluff where we were joined by
the rest of our Midlands group, namely Pat, Bushy, Hamish, Dallas, Mike, Ian,
Christine, Elmarie and two friends.
A braai fire had been set up for us under cover, so we were able to cook
and have our meal without getting wet.
We were joined by a few Durban walkers and our guides Andre and Thandile
explained the proceedings for the evening.
We had to drive to Treasure Beach and proceed down about 96 steps onto
the beach – quite an eerie sensation with only torchlight to guide us!
It continued to drizzle on and off for most of the walk, but this did
not dampen the enthusiasm of the group or of our very knowledgeable
guides. It is quite amazing what
creatures can be seen in the rock pools at night. We saw tiny dog fish, beautiful sea-anemones, red and green
sponges, ribbon worms, rock lobster, sea slugs (which looked like lumps of
rock), sea-urchins, crabs, fairy crabs (that swim).
Mike and Bushy faired very well during the walk in spite of Mike having
cracked ribs and Bushy having a sore knee.
Back at the car park after the walk Andre discovered that he had locked
his keys in his bakkie. However, Mike
quickly came to his rescue and demonstrated his talent of lock picking and in
no time at all had the bakkie open.
The sensible members of the party had arranged to spend the night in
Durban, but Tessa, Ann and I had to drive back to Pmb and Howick. Murphy’s law – the moon decided to shed
her mantle of cloud and we had perfect moonlight to guide us home!! We eventually got home at 01h00 having
stopped at the Ultra City on the way for a coffee.
It was a great evening and I highly recommend the walk if it is on the
calendar for this year. A little bit
of rain never hurt anyone!!
This is what you call “Better late than never”. At least it’s not a year old yet! Libby Deysel
10 April 2005
Mark had
a look of complete disbelief on his face as 31 members both old and new, family
and friends descended upon “Chiarella” to join the hike to Karkloof Falls and
the braai lunch afterwards.
Cold boxes unpacked and stacked for later transport to the picnic area
by the family, the intrepid hikers set off up the road on the start of the
10-12 km walk. Tea break was taken
next to the airfield where Pat inadvertently left her hiking stick stuck into
the ground next to where she was sitting.
With the miracle of modern technology the younger generation
transporting the cold boxes were contacted and stopped en route to retrieve the
stick, much to Pat’s obvious relief.
Hiking sticks don’t come cheap!
On we went along roads, through trees, up hill and down dale until we
reached the first of the picnic spots next to the Falls. This was already pretty well occupied,
Karkloof Falls being a popular area.
We moved on about another kilometer to the second, smaller, site where
braai fires were stacked and burning brightly. Refreshments of all kinds emerged from cold boxes and before
long everyone was relaxing on the grass next to the rapidly flowing river. Some youngsters from another party were
having high-jinx in the safer parts of the water.
A
relaxed crowd was soon fed and watered, some even taking an afternoon nap in
the shade of the trees. In no time at
all it seemed we reluctantly had to pack up to be transported back to the farm
for the return to our various homes.
What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday, out in the open air, enjoying
the company of like-minded friends. Great
– thank you Mark, Mary and family for your organization and transportation.
CUMBERLAND NATURE RESERVE
Sunday 8 May,2005
If you have never been to the Cumberland Nature Reserve, it is well
worth a visit. It is so close to home
and yet you get the feeling of being far from the madding crowd and experience
the peace and quiet of the bush.
Jack, Ossie and Libby left Howick in brilliant sunshine only to arrive
at the entrance to the Reserve in overcast and cool conditions where we met
Graham and Hildegard. Graham had
expected another hiker to join us, but having waited until 9.00, we decided to
proceed with our walk.
We set up camp for Ossie in the picnic area complete with camp chair and
crossword puzzle to keep him occupied for the morning. However, he had to earn his loafing time by
having the braai fire ready for our return!
Graham led us on a very nice walk across the top of the escarpment and
down to the river. The river is
definitely not a place to swim as there are “Beware of Crocs” signs by the
river. By this time, the clouds had
evaporated and it turned out to be a perfect day. The paths throughout the Reserve are well marked and
maintained. The picnic area is very
civilized with toilets in wooden huts – 1st and 2nd class
– long drop or flush and with a wash basin outside the huts!!
We stopped for tea by the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. The water was so still that there was the
most amazing reflection of the entire height of the cliffs. One could almost envisage that the cliffs
stretched the same distance under water.
After our break we continued upstream for awhile and then climbed up the
side of the gorge – a very pretty climb.
This part of the climb was similar to the Dwarfs Dawdle in the Umgeni
Valley Nature Reserve. We stopped on a
rock at the top for a short break -
with a wonderful view of the river and then proceeded back to the picnic area
where Ossie had dutifully prepared the fire for the braai.
After lunch we drove up to the top of the hill where there is
accommodation, presumably for school
groups. The buildings are on a ridge
with the most magnificent views either side.
There is also an old farmhouse which, unfortunately, has been left to
deteriorate. It must have been a
wonderful house at one time with the verandah all the way round and the very thick
walls – such a great pity.
Although the turnout for the walk was poor due to the fact that it was
Mother’s Day, it would have been an ideal place to take the family for an
outing even if they did not want to walk.
It was very inexpensive – just R5.00 in the honesty box!! Thanks to Graham for a great day.
Libby Deysel
We were about to climb down the cliff to Noetsie cottage on the beach. I was carrying a particularly heavy pack and leader Selven asked me to give him my pack and he would take it down for me. While passing it down to him my finger caught on one of the straps and the weight of the pack pulled me over. In a flash I realised I would fall on my head on the rocks. In a split second reaction Selven caught me and there was I upside down, legs in the air looking at the blue sky, rather like a tortoise on its back, my stick wedged between the rocks. It took me a few minutes to decide how to get out of such an undignified position. Other than finding later that my stick had poked me in a most unusual place I was still in one piece. Thank you Selven.
There
was once a Rambler called Irene
Who
wanted to be first on the scene
She
cart wheeled down the cliff
Selven
caught her in a jiff
Thus
denying her right to be a large “Fish”. Irene Morris
|
HIKE GRADES/ RATINGS |
1
Very easy 2
Easy 3
Moderate – physical fitness advisable 4
Moderate to severe – physical
fitness necessary 5
Severe – physical fitness essential |
PRE-HIKE /TRAIL PROTOCOLAs always a gentle reminder in order to assist our hiking club
leaders, please adhere to the following procedure when intending to join
hikes. Day Hikes – Please try to inform the relevant leader a week, or at
least 4 days, before the hike of your intention to participate. Week-end Camping/Hiking or over-nighting
in Caves – Please try to inform the relevant leader 2 to 3 weeks before
departure date of your intention to participate. Long Week-end Trips & Longer Trails – Please contact the relevant
leader as soon as possible after publication of the hike in the Newsletter
Hiking Calendar. The above is to
assist the leaders in making or confirming the necessary arrangements, some
of which have to be made and paid for by the Club a long time in
advance. The leaders have to put a
great deal of effort into hiking arrangements. |