MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB - FIXTURE LIST - 20 SEPTEMBER TO END DECEMBER 2005 - PLUS ADVANCE NOTICES FOR 2006
## Chance to practice & train for backpacking & trails etc at this venue ## - New or inexperienced members should train before attempting trails or harder cave outings.
DATE	HIKE / AREA	APPROX.	GRADE	LEADER & CONTACT	APPROX.
		DISTANCE		DETAILS	COST
Tue 20 Sep 05	Social Evening at Hilton Hotel at 7-30pm - New Drakensberg slide presentation by Dave Sclanders.			Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	No charge
Fri-Tue	Drakensberg 5-Day Mini-Traverse - Sentinel to Mnweni area & return - for serious & fit backpackers	60km	4	Dave Sclanders - Tel 033 3865622	Dave will advise participants
23-27 Sep 05	(Carry tents etc). - Advertised previously & now fully booked - Dave will provide more details to participants.
Sun	##Mid Illovo - Day Hike in Gwahumbe Private Game Reserve - 3000 ha of riverine forest, valley bushveld,	10km	2	Bushy Kirby - Tel 033 2123071	R20 entry fee
25-Sep-05	plateau grasslands & majestic cliff faces - loads of game & birds - 45 min from PMB			Please support this new day hike
Fri-Sun	##Highmoor area - "Mountain Shadows" (near Glen Garry) - Cottage / Huts accommodation - very good	8-12km	2 - 3	Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	R60 pppn Cottage &
14-16 Oct 05	facilities - day hikes from Cottage -Please book early to reserve place-First come & paid first served.	each day		Book early to secure your place	R50 pppn Huts - R35 camping
Tue	Social Evening at Hilton Hotel at 7-30pm - Slide presentation by Keith Ashton - Namibia & en-route inc.
18-Oct-05	Willem Pretorious Game Res, Kimberley & the "Big Hole", Augrabies, Hoba Meteorite (largest in the world),			Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	No Charge
	Etosha, Swakopmund, Sesriem/Sossusvlei, Luderitz & Kolmanskop Ghost Town, Fish River Canyon etc.
Sun 23 Oct 05	Boston - Nhlosane - Long day hike from Philip's house "Sitamani" to Everglades & return - fitness essential	25km	3+	Philip Grant - Tel 033 9971817	R 10
Sun 30 Oct 05	##Karkloof - Day hike in the Karkloof area - more details from Mark Nellist	10km	2	Mark Nellist - Tel 033 3302703	Mark will advise
Sat-Sun	## Drakensberg Gardens - Cottage weekend - Fully Equipped - Beautiful Area - Max 10 members	12 km	2-3	Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	R50 per person per night
5-6 Nov 05	Day hikes from cottage or simply unwind on the property (10 acres) - Option to include Fri night 4 Nov 05	each day		Book early to secure your place	for members
Sun 6 Nov 05	##Boston - Day hike - "Paddy's Walk"- Netherby to Boston View Farm - Wonderful views of Midlands & Berg.	12km	2-3	Philip Grant - Tel 033 9971817	R 10
Sun	##Kamberg - Day hike & guided tour to "Game Pass Shelter" - The "Rosetta Stone" of Bushman rock art -	6-8km	2	Allison Gunning - Tel 033 3471364	R35 inc guided tour of
13-Nov-05	afterwards have a picnic & a swim in the lovely pools in the area. - A well worthwhile & interesting day.				the cave
Tue	Social Evening at Hilton Hotel at 7-30pm - 2005 GRAND TRAVERSE Audio/Visual Slide Presentation			Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	No charge
15-Nov-05	This "Drakensberg Ultimate Mountain Challenge" is a must see presentation - Snacks will be provided
Sun 20 Nov 05	##Howick area - Day hike - Howick Meander including lovely river walk - more details from Aris	8-10km	2	Aris Hofland - Tel 033 3307053	Aris will confirm
Fri-Sun	##Monk's Cowl - Mary Clover's Cottage "Makulumane"-Champagne Castle/Monks Cowl area set high	10 km	2 - 3	Mary Clover - Tel 033 3302703	R50 per person per night
25-27 Nov 05	above the Drakensberg Boys Choir - comfortable accommodation in lovely setting - day hikes from cottage.	each day		Book early to secure your place	for members
Sun	CHRISTMAS PARTY - At Mark Nellist's Farm Karkloof - Please diarise, as this promises to be a			Mark Nellist - Tel 033 3302703	No charge - just bring small
04-Dec-05	great fun day with competitions, prizes & Father Christmas etc. - See full details in newsletters.			or Mary Clover - Cell 083 700 6199	gifts as indicated in newsletters
Sun 11 Dec 05	##Howick - Day hike in Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve - lovely area & views - plenty of game & birds to see	8-10km	2	Selven Nyker - 033 3304842	R10 entry & parking
Fri-Sun	Highmoor - Have a different experience - Backpack to & pre-celebrate New Year in Aasvoelkranz Cave	10-12 km			R30 pppn
16 - 18 Dec 05	Excellent easy venue for new backpackers or cavers - day hikes from cave - game & Bushmen's paintings	each day	2+	Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	includes entry fee & levies
	Bring your favourite drinks & goodies for celebration in the fairy grotto cave - Lovely stream & pool to swim.
ADVANCE NOTICES - TRAIL POSSIBILITIES FOR 2006 - FISH RIVER CANYON DEFINITE - OTHERS TO ASSESS INTEREST FIRST
25 Jun - 4 July	NAMIBIA - Fish River Canyon - 5-day Backpacking Trail - An experience not to be missed	85km	3 - 4	Allison Gunning - Tel 033 3471364	Trail R100pp + R120 road tax +
2006 inc travel	Minimum 3 to maximum 40 persons - select your own sleeping spots in the open near the Fish River				before & after accommodation
July - Aug 06	NAMIBIA - Naukluft - 8-day Backpacking Trail in the Naukluft Mountains - Backpacking fitness required	120km	4	Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	Trail Cost R100 + Before &
	Minimum 3 to maximum 12 persons - sleep on the floor in part open-walled shelters.				after accommodation etc
May 2006	WILD COAST - Amadiba Adventure Trails - Max 12 persons - sleep in pre-erected tents & huts	57km or	3	Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	R1160 - 4days - inc meals etc
	Inc. guides, meals & bedding. Several options available but need committed participants before finalising	66km			R1710 - 6-days - inc meals etc
	SABIE - MPUMALANGA - Fanie Botha Hiking Trail - 3-day/3night Maritzbos circular route option	41km	3+	Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	To be advised
**Somewhere	Maximum 30 persons  sleep in huts with bunk beds, toilets & showers - See "Lone Creek Falls", "Cathedral
between	Falls", Chockstone Falls" & "Blyde Falls"etc.
24 Mar - 18 Apr	SABIE/GRASKOP - MPUMALANGA - Blyderivierspoort Hiking Trail - 4/5 day linear backpacking trails
2006	Min. 2 to max. 30 persons - Features include "God's Window" with fantastic views, "Bourke's Luck Potholes",	65km	3	Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	To be advised
	& "Blyde River Canyon", one of Southern Africa's greatest natural wonders. Trail huts inc bunks & mattresses
	water, showers, flush toilets, fireplaces, firewood & refuse bins.
** As it is a fairly long drive to the Sabie area it is possible to do either or both trails plus some other sightseeing in the area to make the trip worthwhile.