IN THIS ISSUE :   From the Chair;  Annual General Meeting;  Annual Subscriptions;  Logos for T-Shirts and Day Packs / Backpacks;  Social Evenings;  Christmas Party;  Drakensburg Contour Hike;  Hiking Advertisements

hh01360_ FROM THE CHAIR                                                                                                                     Dave Sclanders

 

This newsletter is being written a bit earlier than usual as a number of your committee will be away on holiday for parts of July and August, Keith, Margaret, Noël & Morris plus a few others from the club will be away into the Kgalagadi and Botswana for 3 weeks in July and August.   I will be doing a 6 week hiking trip through the U.K , covering Jersey, London, Amersham, Sussex, The Lake district, Wales, Scotland, part of Hadriens Wall, and hopefully, if the travel plans work out the 3 highest peaks in the U.K. Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon.   I will also still be away for the AGM, however Alison will be your chair for that  evening

 

On the subject of member activities, we extend congratulations to your News Editor, Noël and Morris Harper on celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 20 June.  Fifty years, Wow!

 

Well winter came with a vengeance this past week , with cold nights and days, and a very heavy frost all over Amber Valley on the night of 29th June.   Very cold conditions, with very high winds have been experienced in the Drakensberg, with sudden dramatic changes in weather.   The old adage “ any fool can be cold in the berg” always must be borne in mind when taking to the hills and mountains.   With the rather warm weather prior to last week, the veld grass has remained too green to burn, with the result that not many firebreaks have been burnt.   So if you are in the berg, or farm lands, watch out for veld fires, there may not be any safe areas between you and the fire.   This heavy frost should now really set the grass back and increase the chance of runaway veld fires.   So be careful  - no fires in grass areas.

 

Club Activities

We have had very good turn outs at the last few club outings, and it was great to see so many of you supporting your club.  This is great for the club spirit as one meets new people, and enjoys the company of friends on an outing.   It is also a great motivation for your hike leaders.  I would make one plea to you all – please confirm with the hike leader well in advance of a hike or day walk.  We ask that you contact the leader by Wednesday at least if you want to go on an outing.   Phoning on Saturday night or Sunday morning about a Sunday walk is really a bit much.

 

Rod is always looking for news and photos to put on the web, and he will do this just as soon as you get him your story or pictures.   Also, watch the web, new stories and pictures are added, as well as the newsletters and fixture lists.   Our web is  www.gohiking.co.za

 

Club Evenings

This is still a worrying evening for your committee, we have not had the attendance we would have thought should have been.  Why? Who can tell.  After the AGM – which is in August, there will be  a change to the number of Club evenings that we hold. This will be discussed at the AGM.

We ask you again, please support the clubs activities.

 

Club Numbers

The club membership is now back to 157 members, with a number of New members waiting for the AGM before they join for the New Hiking Year.

 

Your Club welcomes the following members

June Crebo;  Annabel Fossey;  John Fourie;  Andrew & Michelle Friedemann;  Marina Jurgens;  Eugene Mare (grandson of June Crebo);  Kathy Tivers.

 

Club AGM

Please diarize the AGM THAT WILL BE HELD ON THE EVENING OF AUGUST the 18th at our usual club venue.

The club will be supplying snacks and eats as usual, as well as limited drinks. Please feel free to bring your own drinks as well.   More info will follow.   Please make an effort, diaries the date and spend a relaxing evening with members of your club.

REMEMBER

We need nominations for committee members; we need new people with new ideas to take us forward into then next year. Please consider who you feel should be on the committee, speak with them, twist their arms BEFORE the AGM, get their consent, fill in the Nomination Paper attached to this notice, and bring it to the AGM, or post it to the Secretary before the AGM.  It is your club , your input is need to keep it going.

 

Your outgoing committee looks forward to seeing you all at the AGM on the 18th of August 2009 at our usual venue.   Hiking Regards.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Members are reminded of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING scheduled for Tuesday, 18 August 2009 at the Church of the Ascension Hall, Brindy Road, Hilton commencing at 19h00 (see Notice of Meeting and Agenda).   The meeting will be preceded by registration and followed by a Finger Supper which will be subsidised by the Club, while the cost to members will be R10 per head.   In order to facilitate catering members intending to attend the AGM are requested to advise Irene Wisdom on 082 575 4978 or by e-mail on irene@pid.co.za by 12 August latest.   Please also note the Nomination Form attached to the Agenda.   Should you wish to nominate a member to serve on the committee for the forthcoming year please complete and bring along to the AGM or mail/e-mail to Club Secretary, Keith.    Thank you in anticipation.

 

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

 

Members are reminded that Annual Subscriptions are due 1 August 2009, single R65, family R100, no increase over last year.   Please bring your cash/cheque book along to the AGM to renew your membership for the coming year.   This will obviate the necessity of having to send reminders to members in this regard.  Alternatively members not at the meeting are requested to deposit their annual subscriptions into the Club’s Bank Account as follows:

ACCOUNT NAME - MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB

BANK - NEDBANK

BRANCH - HILTON - BRANCH CODE 151925

ACCOUNT NO. - 1519007299

with a copy of the deposit slip faxed to Keith on 086 550 6979.   With the high cost of postage these days it will be financially beneficial to your Club and therefore directly, you.   Thank you for your co-operation.

 

Logos for t-shirts & day packs/backpacks

 

Members are encouraged to purchase badges for their backpacks/day packs or to have their T-shirts embroidered to promote your Club.   Badges cost R15 each and to embroider the logo on a T-shirt is R10.   In order to obtain the T-shirt embroidery price we have to supply 10 T-shirts at a time.   So come along members let’s do a bit of advertising for our Club and at the same time enjoy a unique T-shirt.

 

Social evenings

 

In recent months your Club has experienced extremely poor attendances at the Social Evenings.

As it costs your Club, and thus you, R160 per evening plus a amount of R60 to be paid to the Car Guard, it has been agreed that these evenings will in the future take place every second month – namely: January, March, May, July, August (Annual General Meeting), September and November, until further notice.   Should there be an improvement in the attendance by members we could revert to the monthly meeting.

 

CHRISTMAS PARTY

The venue for last year’s Annual Christmas Party proved to be such a beautiful and in every way suitable site, it has been agreed that the Christmas Party 2009 will take place on Sunday, 6 December 2009 at St Mathews Church Hall in Hesketh Drive at a cost of R10,00 per person.   Time of arrival is from 11h00.   For the more energetic a hike through the Conservancy has been arranged.   Members not in the mood for walking can relax in the shade of the magnificent trees in the company of like-minded friends.   Braai fires will be ready by 12h00 to commence preparing lunch.   Members please bring meat, salads, rolls and drinks or whatever is your fancy, for lunch.   Tables, chairs, cutlery, plates, glasses, cups, saucers and spoons are available at the venue, but a few extra braai’s would be appreciated.  A hall with a verandah is on site in the event of rain as well as toilet facilities and a kitchen.   Further particulars of what is planned for the day will appear in the November issue of your Newsletter, but in the meantime, mark your calendars.   Prizes for the annual competitions will be awarded  -   best Article published in the Newsletter, the Photographic competition and the person who introduced the most new members to the Club.

Directions:  St Matthews is situated in Hesketh Drive, No 115 on the left-hand side and is well signposted   Please advise your attendance to Irene on e-mail Irene@pid.co.za, telephone: 082 575 4978.    We look forward to seeing you there.

 

DRAKENSBURG CONTOUR HIKE                                                                                               Hettie Randall 

 

On Monday morning 6th April, Dave Sclanders, Teresa Whitfield and I, left Amber Valley at 6am and drove up to Giant’s for the start of what was to have been the ‘deadly 7-day challenge’ which had now been reduced to a three-day saunter along the Giant’s contour path.

 

The day grew into a hot morning which was challenging enough as we climbed up to Giant’s Hut.  Not being a regular pack’ntent carrier, it did take my breath away at times! 

 

As midday approached, the skies darkened as quickly as they only do in the berg.   With the first few warning drops falling we took to the old vulture lookout to have our lunch but the low rumble of thunder in the background flushed us out and we left at a  brisk pace for the last stretch to Giants Hut.

 

We barely had a chance to put the tents up when the storm broke, wind, rain, lightening and thunder (on the 6th April?   Yes, believe it!)   Finally the drama rolled down the mountain and we were left with the echo of the lightening, as it followed the heavy clouds.   Washed and comfortable, we made supper and while chatting, noticed that the rumbling was still very audible and in fact the storm could very well be on its way back.   We had to hurry and get back into the shelter of our tents for what proved to be an extremely early night, while a terrific wind pulled and tugged at our flimsy covers followed by another downpour.

 

Tuesday morning we put our heads out into a cold, damp, gloomy pea soup, then quickly withdrew back into the warmth of our sleeping bags and waited for visibility.   The cloud did lift and we were in sunshine while we had breakfast and packed up but as we were about to leave, the cloud came down again and covered us.    Dave decided that we would walk out and hopefully the path would be clear enough to follow and hopefully the cloud would lift again.   The path stayed visible enough but the day did not improve, the grey went through varying degrees of wet until we were walking with water squelching out of our boots, with nothing to see. (oops, mustn’t forget walking into a small herd of Eland who, having been taken completely by surprise, galloped off right passed us.   Awesome. Where?   Somewhere between Giants and Bannerman Huts!)

 

19kms later we arrived at Bannermans, chilled to the bone.  We had supper and a few hot drinks,  listened to Dave’s campfire stories and eventually fell asleep in the dryness  of the hut, much happier.

 

Wednesday brought a half hearted promise of a clear day, the valleys were filled with low cloud and rather than risk another day of walking in the mist, we took the path straight back to Giants carpark, without any deviations.    We had a lovely walk down the mountain and caught sight of that small herd of Eland again.  (Wonder if they recognised us.)

 

After a cold shower courtesy of the staff quarters at the picnic area, we went to the restaurant for lunch.   My highlight of that meal, a hot cup of filter coffee, Teresa’s highlight - a plate of chips.

 

COURSES

 

Wildways Adventures will be running an Advanced Mountain Walking Leader course from 10 – 21 August.   Although an advanced course, the training starts with the basics and builds on the knowledge through the week.   The course is split into 5 days of theory training run at the training centre at Monteseel and then a 5-day practical hike where you can practice the skills you have learned on the theory section under the watchful eye of your trainer.   One however does not need to attend both sections.   For more information contact Michelle on info@wildwaysadventures.co.za or 031 767 2160.

 

Wildways Adventures are hosting a trail through Alpine meadows and over ywop international passes.   Join Wildways Adventures on their 2010 trip to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc.   For more information contact Michelle on info@wildwaysadventures.co.za or 031 767 2160.

 

 

SOUTHERN SECRETS HIKING & BACKPACKING

 

 

BERG FREE ADVENTURES

 

Discover some of the exquisite secrets of the Drakensberg Mountains with a fully qualified Mountain Walking Guide, Single or multi trips.

Contact Philip Grant 033 997 1817 or Cell

082 417 9163 or e-mail pgrant@yebo.co.za.

 

David Sclanders runs single and multi trips into the Berg, visiting rock-art sites, sleeping in tents, caves and mountain huts.   He is a member of the South African Mountain Guide Association registered as a guide with the Department of Tourism, Registration No KZN0050.   He can be contacted on telephone or fax 033 239 5013, Cell 082 443 4287 or visit www.bergfree.co.za.

 

 

WILDWAYS ADVENTURES

Ever Wanted to try Abseiling or Rock Climbing?   WILDWAYS Adventures offers experiences every 2nd week-end at Monteseel (half-way between Durban and Pietermaritzburg).   Abseiling from 09h00 – 12h00 – Rock Climbing frpm 13h30 – 16h30, Saturday and Sunday.   Cost is R50 pp per session and bookings are essential.   To book phone 082 864 0011 or e-mail info@wildwaysadventures. co.za.