| MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB - FIXTURE LIST - 21 MARCH TO END JUNE 2009 - JKA - | |||||
| ## Chance to practice & train for backpacking & trails etc at this venue ## - New or inexperienced members should train before attempting trails or harder cave outings etc. | |||||
| DATE | HIKE / AREA | APPROX. | GRADE | LEADER & CONTACT | APPROX. |
| DISTANCE | DETAILS | COST | |||
| Sat - Sun | Cobham - Backpacking to & overnight in Gxalingenwa Cave - This is a beautiful hike & will mostly be a circular route via part of the | 12-14km | 3 | Teresa Whitfield - Tel 033 3431769 | R40 inc entrance fee & overnight |
| 21-22 Mar 09 | Giant's Cup Trail, visiting Ngenwa Pool, Pinnacle Rock & Emerald Stream - should also have good pool / river swimming opportunities | each day | Cell 082 374 1793 | in cave inc all levies | |
| Sun 29 Mar 09 | ##PMB -Bisley Nature Reserve - Morning hike in this lovely reserve -see plenty of giraffe, antelope, birds & indigenous plants -knowledgeable leader | 8km | 2 | Selven Nyker - Tel 033 330 4842 | No charge |
| Sat 4 Apr 09 | Monteseel - "Wildways Adventures" Training course - Mountain related illnesses & problems - booking essential with Keith. | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | Free to members who reserve + R10 for notes | ||
| Sat - Sun | Highmoor -Backpacking with tents from Highmoor Office area to camp near Roman Baths at Kamberg, returning via an alternative route on Sunday | 23km | 3 | Dave Tighe - Tel 031 464 9033 | The overnight hiking fee is R40 pp |
| 4-5 Apr 09 | back to Highmoor - A new hike for MHC - Chance to visit caves en-route & view Bushman paintings etc. in this beautiful area. | total | Cell - 084 689 9384 | including entry fee & levies | |
| Mon-Mon | Lotheni to Cathedral Peak - 8-day backpacking hike (carring tents) along the Drakensberg contour track. Backpacking fitness is essential for this | Dave Sclanders - Tel 033 2395013 | Staying o/n on 6 Apr at Lotheni | ||
| 6 - 13 Apr 09 | hike as an average daily distance of about 20km is necessary with climbs of up to 900m some days - re-supply will take place at Injisuthi on the | 140km | 4 | Cell : 082 443 4287 | Total cost for the 8-days R340 |
| 3rd day. If you are up to this challenge book your place asap with Dave | total | e-mail : bergfree@absamail.co.za | |||
| Tue - Fri | Kei Mouth to Gonubie - Strandloper Trail - 4-days backpacking along this beautiful section of the Wild Coast - overnight in hiking huts with bunk | 60km | 3 | Allison Gunning - Tel 033 347 1364 | R400 pp |
| 14-17 Apr 09 | beds. Allow for travel day/s before/after the trail. Only a few spaces left - contact Allison for more details & to reserve your place. | total | Cell : 083 441 1951 | ||
| Sun 19 Apr 09 | ##Dargle area - Day hike up Nhlosane mountain via shorter route from base at "Mount Park" - POSTPONED > SEE 14TH JUNE | 8km | 2 | Selven Nyker - Tel 033 330 4842 | POSTPONED TO 14 JUNE 09 |
| Tue 21 Apr 09 | Social Evening - Another interesting slide presentation (details later) - socialise with other members & get more hike details from the leaders | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | No Charge - tea/coffee from 7-00pm | ||
| Tue - Sun | Western Cape - South of Swellendam - 5-Day / 5-night Whale Trail through the breathtaking De Hoop Nature Reserve - From Potberg to | 55km | 3 | Allison Gunning - Tel 033 347 1364 | R 950 |
| 21 - 26 Apr 09 | Koppie Alleen - A magnificent & very popular trail with excellent overnight facilities. A few places left - Contact Allison asap to reserve your place. | total | Cell : 083 441 1951 | ||
| Fri - Mon | Lake Eland - near Oribi Gorge - About 3hrs from PMB. - Camp sites on lake edge without electricty but each has adjacent small roofed shelter with | 6 - 10km | 2 | Bushy Kirby - Tel 033 2123071 | Camping R70 pppn |
| concrete table - also fisherman's huts sleeping up to 6 - hike amongst the animals, bird watching, mountain biking, fishing, suspension bridge, caves, | day hikes | Cell 083 757 2660 | 6-bedded fishermen's huts with bunk beds & | ||
| 24 - 27 Apr 09 | Oribi Gorge view site - day hike in the Oribi Gorge Reserve - the big swing & other activities. Campsite is half hour from drive from reception. | or just relax | Reserve your place asap | mattresses R100 pppn (min R400 per hut) | |
| Fri - Sun | ##Cathedral Peak - Camping long weekend - Promises to be good fun - cycling members bring your bikes for a ride up Mike's Pass etc with | hikes 10-12 km | 2 | Brian Henwood - Tel 033 347 1126 | R80 camping per person per night |
| 1 - 3 May 09 | Brian + day hikes during the weekend to lovely spots or just chill-out in great surroundings | cycling longer | camp sites inc plug points | ||
| Sun | ##Boston area - Nhlosane - Long distance day hike (North & South Ridges) - Very long hike over rough terrain at brisk pace.Excellent views. | 24km | 4 | Philip Grant - Tel 033 997 1817 | R 15 |
| 03-May-09 | Fitness absolutely essential - Bring lunch etc & money for refreshments after hike - Booking essential with Philip by the Wednesday before. | Cell : 082 417 9163 | |||
| Sat 16 May 09 | Monteseel - "Wildways Adventures" Training course - Handling emergencies - booking essential with Keith. | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | Free to members who reserve + R10 for notes | ||
| Sun | ##Byrne area - Circular day hike from Enon Cottage - Route combines open grassland & indigenous forest. Approx 6hrs over rough terrain. | 14km | 3 | Dave Tighe - Tel 031 464 9033 | R 10 |
| 17-May-09 | Physical fitness advisable. Meet leader at the R56 turn off to Richmond at 08h30 but contact Dave about your participation. Braai facilities available | Cell - 084 689 9384 | |||
| Tue 19 May 09 | Social Evening - Andrew Friedemann presentation on a smorgasborg of hiking skills - Ten or more practical skills you have never thought of that will | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | No Charge - tea/coffee from 7-00pm | ||
| make for enjoyable hiking & may possibly save your life. The presentation includes practical demonstrations | |||||
| Fri - Sun | ##Highmoor area - "Mountain Shadows" (near Glen Garry) - Cottage / Cabins / Caravans & Camping - Excellent facilities - central indoor/outdoor | 8-12km | 2 | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | Very reasonable prices for cottages, |
| 22 - 24 May 09 | boma with pool table & table tennis + DSTV - farm animals to keep children amused - day hikes from base with new routes also added. | each day | Book early to secure your place | cabins, caravans & camping with | |
| Lovely spot - just relax & chill out if you wish. Please book & pay to reserve place. | electric points - check with Keith | ||||
| Sat 30 May 09 | ##Karkloof - New day hike through Everdon Estates led by the man who knows the area better than anybody - Note Sat not Sun | 8-10km | 2 | Cecil Hackney but contact Keith | No charge |
| Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | |||||
| Sat - Sun | Giant's Castle - Backpacking weekend to Bannerman Hut - BY MOONLIGHT - Yes your chance for a fantastic experience - overnight in Hut. | 11-14km | 3 | Dave Sclanders - Tel 033 2395013 | R 45 |
| 6-7 Jun 09 | Return to base by different route on the Sunday - Beautiful hike & chance to see game. | each day | Cell : 082 443 4287 | ||
| Sun - 14 Jun 09 | ##Dargle area - Day hike up Nhlosane mountain via shorter route from base at "Mount Park" | 8km | 2 | Selven Nyker - Tel 033 330 4842 | R 15 |
| Sat - Sun | Proposed Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve area weekend - Details to be confirmed in May newsletter. | To be confirmed | Brian Henwood - Tel 033 347 1126 | Details to be confirmed in May | |
| 20-21 June 09 | newsletter | ||||
| Tue - 23 Jun 09 | Social Evening - Please note this date (not 3rd Tue in the month as it is a public holiday) - Presentation to be confirmed in May newsletter | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | No Charge | ||
| Sun 28 Jun 09 | ##Howick - Day hike - Amber Valley Circuit - Lovely walk around the perimeter of this new complex - plenty of game & birdlife - Bring lunch & drinks | 10 km | 2 | Margaret Ashton | No Charge |
| (This hike has proved to be very popular) - tea & coffee etc will be provided after the walk at Margaret & Keith's place. | Tel. 033 2395023 | ||||
| ADVANCE NOTICE | |||||
| Fri-Sun | ## Drakensberg Gardens - Cottage weekend - Fully Equipped - Beautiful Area - Max 10 members | 10-15km | 2 - 3 | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | R130 total per person for |
| 14-16 Aug 09 | Day hikes from cottage or simply unwind on the property (10 acres). Book early to confirm your place. | each day | Fri & Sat nights for members | ||
| SOCIALS VENUE : As usual all socials are held in the Church of the Ascension Hall starting at 7-30pm with tea / coffee available from 7-00pm & time to socialise - plenty of room for parking next to the hall, accessed from Brindy Road, Hilton. | |||||
| Grading of hikes | |||||
| 1. Very easy trip - please inform the leader to confirm your participation by the Wednesday prior to the hike. | |||||
| 2. Easy trip - please inform the leader to confirm your participation by the Wednesday prior to the hike. | |||||
| 3. Moderate trip - Physical fitness advisable - If an overnight trip, camping or in a cave etc please inform the leader of your participation at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance as bookings have to be made. | |||||
| 4. Strenuous trip - Physical fitness essential - If an overnight trip, camping or in a cave etc please inform the leader of your participation at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance as bookings have to be made. | |||||
| 5. Very strenuous trip - A high degree of physical fitness essential - Normally an overnight trip so please inform the leader of your participation at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance as bookings have to be made. | |||||
| Multi-day trails - Please inform the leader of your participation as soon as possible after posting in the fixture lists as bookings have to be made well in advance. | |||||
| Please note that the leaders have the prerogative to make a decision not to include a member/s if they have doubts about their physical fitness or do not have adequate gear etc for a particular hike. | |||||