MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB FIXTURE LIST:   JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012
DATE	TYPE	GRADE	APPROX. DIST.	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES	LEADER & CONTACT DETAILS	APPROX. COST
Sat-Sun	TRAIL HUT	2+	Dependent on route taken	GREYTOWN - Blinkwater trail – on the Greytown road from Pmb. Land of indigenous forests, upland grasslands, vleis, streams and commercial plantations – home to the endangered Oribi and rare Blue Swallow. Hike to Iphasiwe Hut. Max 12 people, so book early.	John Fourie – 072 871-1252	R65 pppn
30Jun-1Jul					john4ie@gmail.com
Sat	BEGINNERS 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
7-Jul						at the picnic site
Sat-Sun	CAVE	3	25Km	BUSHMAN'S NEK - Lammergier Cave - Return via Goat's Cave and Tomatu Ridge. Climb behind Goats Cave & look into Lesotho. Last booking date is 9th July. It will be cold so have good warm gear. Combined hike with Mountain Backpackers. You can phone for info, but bookings only by email.	Dave Sclanders  082 443-4287	R45 pp (pay at camp)
14-15 July			650m		bergfree@absamail.co.za	Early booking essential
Tues	CLUB NIGHT			INCA TRAIL – Margaret Kirsten will share her experiences in Peru on the trek to Machu Picchu. 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.
17-July
	CAMPING	2		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.		R200 per site for 2 people
Fri – Sun			8 - 10 km		Keith Ashton – 033 239-5023	i.e. R100 pppn
20 - 22 July			each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za Cell 082 846-6179	Reduced rates available for pensioners
Sat	BEGINNERS HIKE	1	8 - 10 km	DARGLE/MPENDLE – Satori Guest Farm, about 30 km from Piggly Wiggly, overlooks the spectacular lower Drakensberg; ideal for hiking and birdwatching in the indigenous forest.. Morning hike followed by a light wholesome lunch served in a comfortable thatch and straw bale guesthouse.	Brian Henwood 082 655 6359	R50 per person including hike and light lunch
21-July					brian@hn.co.za
Sat	DAY HIKE	3	17Km	OTTO'S BLUFF - A 5-hour hike following a circular scenic route from the car park at Voights Farm Estate in Hilton, along farm roads and across rolling hills to Otto's Bluff and return. Amazing all round views of the estate and Albert Falls dam.	Brian Henwood 082 655 6359	No charge
28-July					brian@hn.co.za
Sun	BEGINNERS HIKE	2	+-10Km	KARLKOOF FALLS – A very scenic walk ending up at these majestic falls.	John Fourie – 072 871-1252
5-Aug					john4ie@gmail.com
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
10-12 Aug			each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za	(R75 pppn)
					Cell 082 846-6179
Sun	BEGINNERS HIKE	2	15Km	MID-ILLOVO - Gwahumbe Game Park - An easy hike through this lovely game park.	Bushy Kirby – 083 757-2660
12-Aug					bushchip@mweb.co.za
Sat	BEGINNERS HIKE	2	8Km	BLESBERG FARM near Lidgetton - Morning hike on the slopes of Blesberg through indigenous bush and across grassland with beautiful scenery. After a leasurely picnic lunch at the dam, a short hike to the ridge above Dargle valley.	Mary Clover – 083 700-6199	R30 pp donation for the development of the trails
18-Aug
Sat-Sun	CAVE	3	26Km	INJISUTHI - Wonder Valley Cave - Sleep in caves not normally used by clubs. Sunday hike up towards the Monk, and return via old Eland fence. Great views of Monk's Range. OK for beginner hikers, but only if you have the right kit. Combined hike with Mountain Backpackers. Last booking date is 8th August. You can phone for info, but bookings only by email. Note payment is required with booking.	Dave Sclanders  082  443-4287	R45 pp (pay when booking)
18-19 Aug			550m		bergfree@absamail.co.za	Booking essential
Tues	AGM			AGM - The AGM of the Midlands Hiking Club will take place in the Church of Ascension hall, Brindy Road, Hilton at 7:30pm.
21-Aug
Sat	BEGINNERS HIKE		14Km	FORT NOTTINGHAM – very scenic walk with views of the berg on a clear day. Bring warm clothes as the wind can blow quite hard here in exposed places. Also vist the museum and learn about the military history of this area.	Christie Exall – 083 233-1998
25-Aug			200m
Sat-Sun	CAVE	3	12-15Km	BUSHMAN'S NEK - Backpacking to and overnight in Bushman's Cave. Beautiful hike alongside Bushman's River & via Slab Cave plus lovely waterfalls & pools en-route. Options to explore further from cave.	Keith Ashton – 033 239-5023	R45 pp
25-26 Aug			each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za
					Cell 082 846-6179
Sat-Sun	TRAIL HUT	2+		GREYTOWN - Blinkwater trail – on the Greytown road from Pmb. Land of indigenous forests, upland grasslands, vleis, streams and commercial plantations – home to the endangered Oribi and rare Blue Swallow. Island Dam is the breeding ground for the rare and endangered Wattled Crane. Hike to Douglas Smith Hut. Max 12 people, so book early.	John Fourie – 072 871-1252	R65 pppn
1-2 Sept					john4ie@gmail.com
Sun	DAY HIKE	2-3	12Km	CEDARA FOREST – lovely walk past a couple of dams, through forest and open grassland. Meet at Cedara College. Take a picnic lunch.	Mark Nellist - 082 826-2526
9-Sept
Fri-Sun	COTTAGE	2	10Km	LAKE LYNDHURST – The cottage sleeps 8 in comfortable bedrooms with hot water and gas lights. It is within walking distance of the Umngeni Vlei and overlooks Lake Lyndhurst (100 hectares), which is the first big dam on the Umngeni River. Please bring your own bedding, towels, and torches. You will need a high clearance vehicle to get there, but lifts can be arranged. There is a lock on the lower gate, so we all need to meet up at Nottingham Road to go through together.	Mark Nellist - 082 826-2526	R75 pppn
14-16 Sept						Total R150 pp
Sat-Sun	MOUNTAIN HUT	3	31Km	GIANTS CASTLE -  Bannerman's Hut. Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning climb up to Spare Rib Cave , then back via Langalibalele Ridge. Those who don't want to climb up to Spare Rib, can stay at the hut till we return. The group will not split up when the people climb up to Spare Rib. The hut is a very nice warm venue for a cold winter's night. OK for beginner hikers, but only if you have the right kit. Combined hike with Mountain Backpackers. Last booking date  is 6th Sept. You can phone for info, but bookings only by email. Note payment is required with booking. Hut only sleeps 8, so book early!	Dave Sclanders  082  443-4287	R45 pp (pay when booking)
15-16 Sept			900m		bergfree@absamail.co.za	Booking essential
Tues	CLUB NIGHT			SPEAKER  - If you know of someone with an interesting story let us know. 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.
18-Sept
Fri-Mon	COTTAGE & CAMPING	1 & 2		ORIBI GORGE - Lake Eland – Everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves last time. Great scenery and lots to do.	Bushy Kirby – 083 757-2660 bushchip@mweb.co.za
21-24 Sept
ADVANCE NOTICE
	TRAIL	2 or 3	54km with slackpacking option	WHALE TRAIL - This awesome hike through the De Hoop Nature Reserve near Cape Agulhas over 5 days takes you over the Potberg Mountain with its colourful fynbos onto coastal cliffs and along the pristine coastline with spectacular scenery. The environment is of special ecological interest and an exceptional hiking experience with clean and comfortable accommodation. If interested please put your name down now and we will try to secure a booking in the peak whale-watching season around September 2013.	Brian Henwood      082 655 6359           or brian@hn.co.za	R1150 pp plus airfare and car hire, or whatever
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.