MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB - FIXTURE LIST - 16 MAY TO SEPTEMBER 2009 - JKA - **SEE NOTE BELOW
## 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 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 smorgasbord 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 - Please contact Brian for details.	To be confirmed		Brian Henwood - Tel 033 347 1126	Please contact Brian for details
20-21 June 09
Tue - 23 Jun 09	Social Evening - Please note this date (not 3rd Tue in the month as it is a public holiday) - Slide Presentation including Mountain Zebra Reserve,			Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023	No Charge
	Baviaanskloof, Robberg Nature Reserve, Diepwalle, Harkerville Trail, Swartberg Pass & Die Hell (Gamkaskloof) etc - fantasic scenery & loads of game.
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
Sun 5 Jul 09	##Bulwer - Day hike up Bulwer Mountain (to summit, return via contour path) - Exceptional views, some rock art. Fitness essential, brisk pace.	12km	,3-4	Philip Grant - Tel 033 997 1817	R 15
	Bring Lunch etc in day packs & money for refreshments afterwards.			Cell 082 417 9163
**NOTES:-	Due to several committee members & leaders being away (very adventurous lot) we have not had the chance to complete all fixtures to the end of September so only known fixtures are included below - others will be
	added & circulated later.
Fri-Sun	## Drakensberg Gardens - Cottage weekend - Fully equipped & very comfortable - Beautiful Area in the heart of the mountains - 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). Please book early to confirm your place. (only 4 places left as at 3 May 09)	each day			Fri & Sat nights for members
Sun 6 Sep 09	##Boston Area - Pickle Pot Ridge day hike - Varied walk, good views, no path in places, some pine plantations. Fitness required, brisk pace.	14km	3	Philip Grant - Tel 033 997 1817	R 15
	Bring lunch & juice/water in day packs & money for refreshments afterwards.			Cell 082 417 9163
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.
ADVANCE NOTICE :- Mark Nellist & Mary Clover are planning a holiday around the Karoo in Oct/Nov this year & they have asked me to provide this rough outline of their proposals to see if any of our members are interested in joining them on all or part of the trip.
Mon 19 October	Rhodes
20-21 Oct	Karoo Nature Reseve - Graaf Reinet - Nieu-Bethesda			PLEASE CONTACT MARK OR MARY	Please contact Mark or Mary for details
22-25 Oct	Baviaanskloof - (Come to the social on 23 June to see slides of this wild & spectacular area)			IF YOU ARE INTERESTED OR
26 Oct - 1 Nov	Timeshare at Mossel Bay			WOULD LIKE FURTHER DETAILS
2-6 Nov	Bonnidale (Langeberg)
07-Nov	Red Cliffs & Kango Caves			TEL (H) 033 343 2012
8-9 Nov	Gamkaskloof (Die Hell) - (Come to the social on 23 June to see slides of this wild & spectacular area)			CELL - Mark 082 826 2526
10-Nov	Karoo National Park (Beaufort West)			CELL - Mary 083 700 6199
11-Nov	Drive home
	Apart from the timeshare Mark & Mary will be camping mostly with maybe a B&B or self catering chalet thrown in for a change
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.