MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB FIXTURE LIST:   APRIL - JUNE 2012
DATE	TYPE	GRADE	APPROX. DIST.	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES	LEADER & CONTACT DETAILS	APPROX. COST
Fri-Mon				No hike planned for this Easter weekend.
6-9 Apr
Sat-Sun	CAVE	2-3	8Km	CYPRUS CAVE – Hike from Mkhomazi Parks Board office and stay overnight in the cave. Only a 4Km walk to the cave – ideal for first time backpackers.	John Fourie – 072 871-1252	R45 pp
14-15Apr
Fri-Sun	COTTAGE	2-3	12-15Km	DRAKENSBERG GARDENS - Cottage weekend - Fully equipped & very comfortable - Beautiful Area in the heart of the mountains - Max 10 members. Day hikes from cottage or simply unwind on the property (10 acres). DSTV for news & sport etc - Hot baths & showers - Please book early to secure your place.	Keith Ashton – 033 239-5023	R150 total per person
20-22 Apr			each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za	(R75 pppn)
Fri-Sun	MOUNTAIN HUT		12-15Km	BUSHMAN'S NEK-  Short (one km) backpacking to Bushman's Nek Hut for a two-night stay. Beautiful day hikes from this base to see waterfalls, bushmen's paintings, caves & lovely pools for swimming. Hut has lockable rooms with bunk beds & mattresses + flush toilets & showers (only cold water but no problem) - book early to secure place.	Keith Ashton – 033 239-5023	R150 total per person
27-29 Apr		2-3	each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za	(R75 pppn)
Fri-Sun	CAMPING	4	16 km	DRAKENSBERG GARDENS – Camp at the Garden Castle campsite near Drakensberg Gardens Hotel. On Saturday climb via Pillar Cave to Rhino Peak on the escarpment. This weekend could be extended to incorporate 1 May holiday. There are also many other less strenuous hikes.	Brian Henwood – 082 655 6359	R120 per site for 2
27-29 Apr					brian@hn.co.za
Sat-Sun	CAMPING			HILTON COLLEGE NATURE RESERVE – Lovely campsite with Boma and braai areas, on the banks of the Umgeni river. Arrive Saturday morning, and stay till Sunday afternoon. Lovely hikes in the area.	Teresa Whitfield – 082 374-1793	R20 to R50 pp        depending on numbers
5-6 May					tkc@hiltoncollege.com
Sun	DAY HIKE	2	12 km	DARGLE CONSERVANCY - New day hike through indigenous forest on private land - climbing to above forest for magnificent views of surrounding areas - prolific bird life. We will be guided by the owner who is very knowledgeable about the local plants, trees, birds & animals - stunning location & not to be missed.	Keith Ashton – 033 239-5023	R15 pp
06-May					keimarg@iuncapped.co.za	Donation to conservancy
Sat-Sun	CAMPING / CHALETS	3 and 2	15 km and 6 km	WHITE MOUNTAIN LODGE -  This resort, located some 28 km from Estcourt, has camping sites and reasonable self-catering chalets. Enjoy one or two of the many hiking trails from the lodge. Visit the website www.whitemountain.co.za for all the details.	Brian Henwood – 082 655-6359	Phone White Mountain Lodge 036 353 2717 for options
12-13 May					brian@hn.co.za
Sun	DAY HIKE	2-2+	About 10Km	ALVERSTONE – Max will lead this hike along Otto's walk on the Alverstone side. Be warned, this hike has some steep sections. This is a combined hike with Dbn Ramblers. Braai afterwards – BYO. Bring carrots, veggie greens& fruits (no citrus) for donkeys. Start is 8:30am sharp from the farm at 5 Nyala Drive, Drummond.	Max Ramseier – 031 783-7876	Fee for safe parking
13-May					Cell 083 968-4434
Tues 15-May	CLUB NIGHT			SNAKES – Michael  Cowling, a well known snake expert and snake handler, will be talking about those snakes that live mainly in the berg and Central KZN , and he will also be discussing the latest Snake Bite proocedures. He has put together a CD of Snakes, with pictures and writeups on snakes. UPCOMING ACTIVITIES – Leaders will present photo show and answer questions for the upcoming hikes in the next quarter. Meet at Church of the Ascension Hall, Brindy Road, Hilton at 7:30. Refreshments will be served from 7:00.
Fri-Sun	TRAIL	2	9Km on day 1	CANNIBAL TRAIL @ CLARENS - A relatively gentle trail via a circular route. Spend the first night in dormitory style accommodation in a converted barn (possibility to upgrade to converted ox-wagons @ R150 pp), second night in a cave - ground sheets, mattresses and firewood provided. The cave apparently also has a loo and a cold shower. Should finish on Sunday by noon, allowing for luch in Clarens on the way home. Read about this trail in GO magazine. Also note that bags can be transported to and from the cave at an additional cost of R40 per item, so just a daypack is needed!	Teresa Whitfield – 082 374-1793 tkc@hiltoncollege.com	R100 pppn, plus food and transport
18-20 May			7Km on day 2
Sat	DAY HIKE	2	8-10Km	CUMBERLAND – An easy 4 hour hike over almost flat terrain. View antelope and giraffe.. Also super camping facilities available for those interested in staying overnight. A 20 minute drive from Pmb. Meet at the Honesty box at 8.30am.	Christie Exall – 083 233-1998	R5 for the honesty box
26-May						at the picnic site
Sat-Sun	CAVE	3	20Km	INJASUTI  – Backpacking and overnight in Lower Injasuti Cave. Ideal for first time or less experienced backpackers.	Dave Sclanders  082  443-4287	R45 pp
2-3 Jun
Fri-Sun	EN-SUITE ROOMS, DORMS & CAMPING	2-2+	8-15Km	BOSTON T-PARTY in Boston - This is a really lovely spot not far away & we had great times there last year - Local day hikes will be done from our base. Accommodation includes :- Five private en-suite rooms, two 8-bed dormitories, lovely outdoor campsites - self-catering fully equipped kitchen-cum-lounge, communal showers with plenty of hot water. The owners (Rory & Sue) go the extra mile to make our stay enjoyable. Strongly suggest we have good value dinners Fri & Sat nights organised by Sue - no own cooking required. Please contact Keith as soon as possible to secure the accommodation you require & for more details.	Keith Ashton – 033 239-5023	en-suite rooms R150 pppn dorms R80 pppn camping R50 pppn Dinners R50 pppn
8-10 Jun			each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za
					Cell 082 846-6179
Sat	DAY HIKE	2	12 km	CHASE VALLEY - Meet at Cascades Shopping Centre. Circular route through the Chase Valley plantations along farm roads to the top of Chase Valley Heights and admire good views of the city. All invited to braai at the Leader's house afterwards. Bring meat and drinks only. Can buy at Checkers or Woolworths after the hike.	Brian Henwood – 082 655 6359	no charge
16 June					brian@hn.co.za
Sun	DAY HIKE	2-2+	15Km	DRUMMOND – Max’s hike from the farm, through to Monteseel and Inchanga, is a lovely hike with wonderful views of the Valley of 1000 Hills. This hike is always extremely popular, and you will also learn some history of the area. Be warned, this hike has some steep sections. This is a combined hike with Dbn Ramblers. Braai afterwards – BYO. Bring carrots, veggie greens & fruits (no citrus) for donkeys. Start is 8:30am sharp from the farm at 5 Nyala Drive, Drummond.	Max Ramseier – 031 783-7876	Fee for safe parking
24-Jun					Cell 083 968-4434
Sat	DAY HIKE	2	10Km	PLEASANT PLACES at Lidgetton – A new route walking towards the Dargle valley. Good quality accommodation also available. Meet at Piggly Wiggly on the R103 at 8.30am.	Christie Exall – 083 233-1998	Expect about R30 pp
30-Jun
ADVANCE NOTICE
				BALLITO - Dolphin Holiday Resort - Ideal camping spot for winter - right on the coast & very close to the sea. This is a beautiful & very well run camp site with excellent ablution facilities - elec points at campsites. Own swimming pool & entertainment  areas - restaurant on site & others close- by - Lovely walks through their own nature reserve plus day-walks along the beaches. If you wish you can stay longer as Keith & Margaret will be doing. Please contact Keith for more details or to book your place.	Keith Ashton - 033 239-5023	R200 per site for 2 people
Fri – Sun	CAMPING	2	8 - 10 km		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za	i.e. R100 pppn
20 - 22 July			each day		Cell 082 846-6179	Reduced rates available for pensioners
GRADINGS OF HIKES				SOME IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT HIKING	CLUB NIGHTS
Grade 1	Very easy - so minimal fitness required			1. Hikes are graded so that members can select the activity best suited to their own level of fitness and do not cause unreasonable delay to fellow hikers.	Our Club nights are held on the third Tuesday of every second month in the Church of the Ascension Hall starting at 19:30. Tea & coffee served from 19:00. Come along early and meet your fellow members. Plenty of parking next to the hall, accessed from Brindy Road, Hilton. A R5 tip for the car guard would be very much appreciated.
Grade 2	Not too strenuous; moderate fitness desirable			2. Contact the leader of a day hike at least 3 days in advance of your intention to participate.
Grade 3	Moderate - Regular exercise advisable			3. Contact the leader of a camping weekend at least one week in advance of your intention to participate.
Grade 4	Strenuous - Physical fitness essential			4. If accommodation bookings are required please contact the leader at your earliest convenience to secure yourself a booking.
Grade 5	Very strenuous - A high level of physical fitness is essential			5. Leaders have the prerogative to exclude a member if they doubt their health condition, physical fitness or suitability of their hiking gear for a particular activity.
				6. Advise the leader of any medical condition prior to any hike & carry the necessary medication - The leader will not administer First Aid.
				7. Carry your medical aid, doctor and close family friend contact details in your backpack at all times.