| MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB - FIXTURE LIST - FROM 22 MAY TO END SEPTEMBER 2010 - REV 1 | ||||||
| ## 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. | |
| DIST | DETAILS | COST | ||||
| Tues 20 July | SOCIAL EVENING: A slide presentation by Dave Sclanders of his UK overseas trip - 500km of Hiking | Dave Sclanders 082 443 4287 | R5 for Carguard | |||
| Sat - Sun | Giants Castle - Night hike to Bannerman's Hut. Full Moon time. Leave carpark after early supper at 17h00, arrive hut 21h00 hrs, return | 30km | 3 | Dave Sclanders 082 443 4287 | R45 for hut | |
| 24-25 July | via Lost Valley or Langalibale Ridge. Hut sleeps 8 - bookings by 30 June. | 650m | or email bergfree@absamail.co.za | |||
| SAT 31 July 10 | ##PMB - Day hike from Ferncliffe Nature Reserve to Otto's Bluff - New variation the successful hike Brian led in February that everyone enjoyed | 15km | 2+ | Brian Henwood - 082 655 6359 | No charge | |
| Sat-Mon | Long weekend - Introduction to Anglo-Zulu Boer wars - camp in Dundee area & visit from there. 7 Aug - to Dundee, set tents & visit Blood River and | 2 | Merle Brett/ Dave Sclanders | To be advised later when | ||
| 7,8,9 Aug | Talana; 8 Aug - Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift,; 9 Aug - Elandslaagte, Colenso, Clouston & home. We need to book Camping place early, need | Dave Sclanders 082 443 4287 | number of interested participants | |||
| interested names by 20 June so we can make camping and cost enquiries. | or email bergfree@absamail.co.za | is known | ||||
| Sun | Byrne area - Circular day hike from Minerva Heights farmhouse. Meet leader at Byrne Church adjacent to the entrance to the Oaks Hotel at 08h00. | Approx. | 3 | David Tighe | R10 donation to farmer | |
| 08-Aug | R10 per person donation to farmer. (Joint Midlands Hiking Club & Mountain Backpackers hike) | 12km | Cell 076 028 0708 or 031 464 9033 | |||
| Sun | ##Karkloof - Day hike through Everdon Estates led by the man who knows the area better than anybody - this hike last time proved to be very popular & had | 15 km | 2+ | Cecil Hackney but contact | No charge | |
| 15-Aug-10 | some of the most spectacular views in the area - Cecil will lead it this time in the reverse direction - don't miss this one. | Keith Ashton on 033 2395023 | ||||
| Tues | AGM - Annual General Meeting & Finger Supper - PLEASE DIARISE & DO YOUR BEST TO ATTEND. | Irene Wisdom - 082 575 4978 | Details will be in July newsletter | |||
| 17-Aug-10 | FULL DETAILS WILL BE IN THE JULY NEWSLETTER | irene@pid.c.za | Finger supper will be subsidised | |||
| Fri - Sun | ##Highmoor area - "Mountain Shadows" (near Glen Garry) - Cottages / Cabins / Caravans & Camping - Excellent facilities - central indoor/outdoor | 8-12km | 2 - 2+ | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | Very reasonable prices for cottages, | |
| 20 - 22 Aug 10 | boma with pool table & table tennis + DSTV - farm animals to keep children amused - day hikes from base with Highmoor hikes also an option. | each day | Book early to secure your place | cabins, caravans & camping with | ||
| Lovely spot - just relax & chill out if you wish. Please support this venue as they have sponsored club prizes. Please book early & pay to reserve place. | electric points - check with Keith | |||||
| Sat - Sun | Injisuthi - overnight in Grindstones Cave, short route to cave (3km) then daypacks to explore upper higher areas towards Old Woman Grinding Corn. | ±24km | 3 | Dave Sclanders 082 443 4287 | R40 for cave | |
| 28-29 Aug | Sunday may go back via Cataract Valley. | 400m | or email bergfree@absamail.co.za | |||
| SAT | Kamberg Reserve - Day hike to Rock Art Sites, view seldom seen Bushmen paintings, very scenic area. Reserve fee to Parks Board | 12km | 2+ | David Tighe | KZN Wildlife day entry fee R28 | |
| 04-Sep-10 | Meet Leader at Kamberg Parks Board Office at 08h00. | 200m | Cell 076 028 0708 or 031 464 9033 | |||
| Fri - Sun | ##Monks Cowl area - Mountain Splendour Eco-Resort - This venue comes highly recommended from several sources. Lovely spacious campsites with elec. | 6 - 12 km | 2 - 2+ | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | Camping fees R88.00 pppn | |
| 10 - 12 Sep 10 | points - excellent ablutions with hot showers etc - tennis courts, volley ball, swimming pool, children's playground & animal farm, indoor games room & TV. | each day | Option to stay longer if you wish | Pensioner rate R52.80 pppn | ||
| Short hikes around the farm & longer hikes from Monk's Cowl KZN Wildlife Reserve nearby - day entry fee to Monks Cowl R35 pp or use Wildcard. | Book early to secure your place | above are out of season rates | ||||
| Sun 19 Sep 10 | Mt Gilboa - Day Hike - Another chance to do this lovely local hike to Mare's Tail Falls and Mount Gilboa - as usual bring day-pack with lunch | 10 km | 2+ | Kevin Knox-Davies | Check with Kevin | |
| and drinks and hiking gear. Great local hike including indigenous forest & clivias. | 033 239 5262AH or 084 510 5702 | |||||
| Tues 21 Sep 10 | SOCIAL EVENING: DETAILS WILL BE IN JULY NEWSLETTER | Irene Wisdom - 033 344 1464 | No charge | |||
| 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 | R140 total per person (R70 pppn) | |
| 24 - 26 Sep 10 | Day hikes from cottage or simply unwind on the property (10 acres). - Please book early to secure your place | each day | Book early to secure your place | for 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. | ||||||
| PLEASE READ THE NOTES BELOW:- (these appear on all fixture lists & should be noted by all members) | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||