MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB - FIXTURE LIST - 20 NOVEMBER 2005 TO END FEBRUARY 2006 - 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
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.
Sat-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
14-15 Jan 06	above the Drakensberg Boys Choir - comfortable accommodation in lovely setting - day hikes from cottage.	each day		Book early to secure your place	for members
Tue	Social Evening - Hilton Hotel @ 7-30pm - Slide presentation on touring Rwanda & visiting the rare			Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	No charge
17-Jan-06	mountain gorillas & other apes by Professor Michelle McLean
Sun 22 Jan 06	##Boston - Day Hike - Manzimnyama stream, gorge & waterfall (from J Black's farm)	10 km	2 - 3	Philip Grant - Tel 033 997 1817	R 10
Sat-Sun	Bushman's Nek - Backpacking to Whyte's Cave via Painter's & White Horse Caves - return via Langalibalele	10 km	3	Dave Sclanders - Tel 033 2394563	R 30
28-29 Jan 06	Cave - excellent Bushman paintings to be seen as well as game, birds & wild flowers.Fitness required	each day			includes entry fee & levies
Sun 5 Feb 06	##Karkloof Falls - Day hike to falls - relatively easy hike & lovely setting - bring your swimming gear	8 km	2	Mark Nellist - Tel 033 3302703	Mark will advise
Tue	Social Evening & Launch of the Club's new web site - Hilton Hotel @ 7-30pm - Snacks Provided			Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	No charge
07-Feb-06	Rod Hart will demonstrate the benefits & improved searching facilities - another club breakthrough
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
18-19 Feb 06	Day hikes from cottage or simply unwind on the property (10 acres) - best option to include Fri night 17 Feb	each day		Book early to secure your place	for members
Sat-Sun	Cobham - Camping Weekend - Lovely day hikes from campsite - Hot showers & flush toilets - Lovely pools	8-12 km	2+	Brian Henwood - Tel 033 3471126	R40 pp
25-26 Feb 06	in streams for swimming - braai & socialise in the evening. Just relax & chill-out if you wish.	each day			includes entry fee & levies
ADVANCE NOTICES - TRAILS FOR 2006 - Please book early to secure your place as these trails will also be offerred to Mountain Backpackers to try to ensure sufficient participants.
	SABIE - MPUMALANGA - Fanie Botha Hiking Trail - 3-day/3night Maritzbos circular route option	41km	3+	Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	R60 pppn
	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 - 3 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	R60 pppn
	& "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.
From 12 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	Minimum 3 to maximum 30 persons - select your own sleeping spots in the open near the Fish River				before & after accommodation
July-06	NAMIBIA - Naukluft - 8-day Backpacking Trail in the Naukluft Mountains - Backpacking fitness required	120km	4	Keith Ashton - Tel 033 3303763	Trail R100pp + R120 road tax +
	Minimum 3 to maximum 12 persons - sleep on the floor in part open-walled shelters.			Exact dates to be finalised	before & after accommodation
Copies by e-mail to Dave, Noel, Rod, Bushy & Pat 10 Nov 05 - Hard copies to Village Talk, Howick Library & Howick Tourism 11 Nov 05