MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB - FIXTURE LIST - 14 JUNE TO END SEPTEMBER 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
Sun - 14 Jun 09 ##Dargle area - Day hike up Nhlosane mountain via easiest shorter route from base at "Mount Park" - A really great hike with magnificent views of  7 km 2 Selven Nyker - Tel 033 330 4842 R 20
  the Midlands & the Drakensberg Mountains - Return via Everglades hotel where beers, cool drinks, hot drinks, snacks or lunch may be enjoyed.   climb 500metres   Bring day pack, gear, snacks & water Plus anything you need for Everglades
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 - fantastic scenery & loads of game.        
Sat 27 Jun 09 "Wildways Adventures" Training course - Choosing your personal gear - from your base layer to outer layer, boots, backpacks, sleeping bags & mats,      Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 Free to members who reserve + R10 for notes
  etc - bring your empty backpack if you want it to be made to fit you properly - notes will be supplied - booking essential with Keith for more details     Venue will be confirmed  
Sun 28 Jun 09 ##Howick - Day hike - Amber Valley Circuit - Lovely walk around the perimeter of this new complex - plenty of game & bird life - 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  
Sun 5 Jul 09 ##Birnhamwood - Joint day hike with Durban Ramblers - Birnamwood to Zwartkop over Cedara grounds - Overlooks PMB & Edendale etc 13km 2+ Francois Marais Tel 033 344 2574 Please phone Francois for meeting place etc
Sun 12 Jul 09 ##Byrne area - Day hike from Minerva Heights farmhouse. Hike through grasslands, indigenous forest & plantations. Approx 6hrs over 15km 3 Dave Tighe - Tel 031 4649033 R 10
  rough terrain. Meet Dave at Byrne Church adjacent to turn off to Oaks Hotel @ 08h00 - Braai facilities -Advise Dave of your participation by previous Wed.      Cell 076 028 0708  
Sun 19 Jul 09 ##Howick - Day hike - Umgeni Nature Reserve - Lovely area with good views & plenty of game & bird life - very knowledgeable leader 8-10km 2 Selven Nyker - Tel 033 330 4842 R15 per person
Tue 21 Jul 09 Social evening - Video & Slide presentation - Climbing Rhino Peak & off road cycle ride in the Swartberg + Climbing Cathedral Peak - Brian Henwood     Brian Henwood - 033 347 1126 No charge
Sun 26 Jul 09 Worlds View - Hilton - Morning hike - Meet & park at Crossways at 09h00 - socialise for drinks, snacks or lunch at Crossways after the hike 8km 2+ Neville Lee - Cell 083 626 9983 No charge except for your drinks etc after
Sat - Sun ##Monk's Cowl - Mary Clover's Cottage "Makulumane" - Champagne Castle/Monks Cowl area set high above the Drakensberg Boys Choir  10-15km  2 - 3 Mary Clover Cell 083 700 6199 R65 pppn
1 - 2 Aug 09  - comfortable accommodation in lovely setting - day hikes from cottage or just relax.  - Book early to secure your place. each day      
Sun 2 Aug 09 ##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
  Physical fitness advisable. Meet leader at the R56 turn off to Richmond at 08h00 but contact Dave about your participation. Braai facilities available     Cell - 076 028 0708  
Sat 8 Aug 09 "Wildways Adventures" Training course - "Leadership & Group Management Skills" - Techniques for good group control, problem solving from a      Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 Free to members who reserve + R10 for notes
  leadership perspective - some legal aspects - practical tips which ease any leadership role  - booking essential with Keith for more details        
Sun 9 Aug 09 ##Ferncliffe Nature Reserve - PMB - Morning hike in this lovely local reserve with a very knowledgeable leader.  8km 2 Selven Nyker - Tel 033 3304842 No Charge
Sat-Mon 8-10 Aug  ##Cathedral Peak - Long weekend camping - beautiful day hikes from campsite - bring your mountain bikes if you like - book with Brian asap hikes 10-12 km 2 Brian Henwood - Tel 033 347 1126 R80 camping per person per night
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. (now full - waiting list only) each day     Fri & Sat nights for members
TUE 18 AUG 09 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - FOLLOWED BY FINGER SUPPER - free wine, juice, tea & coffee provided by club. PLEASE DIARISE Please advise Irene by Irene Wisdom - Tel 033 344 1464 Only R10 towards full finger supper
  Members pay only R10 towards the supper, club subsidises remainder. - Subs for 2009-10 due 1 Aug 08 can be paid.   12 Aug latest   Cell 082 575 4978 Full details in July newsletter
Sun 23 Aug 09 ##Karkloof - Lovely local hike to Mare's Tail Falls & Mount Gilboa - as usual bring day-pack with lunch & drinks & hiking gear 10km 2+ Mark Nellist - Tel 033 3432012 Please contact Mark for details
Mon - Fri #MABIBI Coastal Reserve Camp - near Lake Sibaya & between Sodwana & Kosi Bay - Camping at this beautiful & isolated coastal spot with plenty easy walks  1 - 2 Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 Contact Keith asap if you are interested
24 - 28 Aug 09 of opportunities for beach walks & fishing etc - Camping overnight Mon to Thurs, departing Friday but stay longer if you wish - 4x4 needed for last section & relaxation     & for more details
Sun 30 Aug 09 ##PMB - Cumberland Nature reserve - Day hike through open savannah grasslands & possibility of seeing game, then down to the beautiful Umgeni 11km 2+ Jon Stevens Cell 082 459 1522 R5 entry - put at honesty box
  River Gorge & back up via spectacular waterfall - joint hike with Durban Ramblers so make new friends & acquaintances.       Contact Jon for meeting place & more details
Sun 6 Sep 09 ##Karkloof - New day hike through Everdon Estates led by the man who knows the area better than anybody - re-scheduled from 30 May 8-10km 2 Cecil Hackney but contact Keith >>> Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023
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  
Sat - Sun Garden Castle - Your chance to climb Rhino Peak - Hike to Pillar Cave on the Sat & sleep overnight in Pillar Cave or Annexe, then climb Rhino on Sat 4-5 km 3+ Dave Sclanders - Tel 033 2395013 R40 inc entry fee & levies
12 - 13 Sep 09 Sunday, returning to the cave to collect rest of gear, then back to KZN Wildlife Office area  - FITNESS ESSENTIAL Sun 14 - 18 km   Cell : 082 443 4287  
Tue 15 Sep 09 Social Evening - Spring Party - Line Dancing demonstrations & members participation in this fun evening + latest news about our events     Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 No Charge
Sun 20 Sep 09 Durban beach area - Beach walk - check with Brian for further details 8km  1 - 2 Brian Henwood - 033 347 1126 No Charge
Thurs - Mon Drakensberg Mini-Traverse - 4-nights / 5-days - Sentinel to Mnweni area & return - for serious backpackers carrying tents & camping each night.  60km  3 - 4 Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 To be advised later
24 - 28 Sep 09 Two nights will be spent near "Madonna & her worshippers" in order to explore this area in detail. Good tents & gear essential + physical fitness     Book your place early  
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 
19 October to Mark Nellist & Mary Clover's planned holiday in the Karoo this year was advertised in the previous fixtures & includes Rhodes, Karoo Nature Reserve,      TEL (H) 033 343 2012  
11-Nov-09 Graaf Reinet, Nieu-Bethesda, Baviaanskloof, Mossel Bay, Bonniedale, Red Cliffs & Kango Caves, Gamkaskloof (Die Hell) & Karoo National Park.      CELL - Mark 082 826 2526 Please contact Mark or Mary for details
  Please contact Mark or Mary if you are interested or for more details.     CELL - Mary 083 700 6199  
Grading of hikes etc
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.  
Please advise the leader of any medical condition prior to any hike & carry the necessary medication - Due to recent legislation all hikers to carry their own medical kit.