IN THIS ISSUE :   From the Chair;  Kgalagadi Dreaming (cont) ;   Hike at Cumberland on Sunday;  Injasuti / Wonder Valley Cave;  New Year in Aasvoelkrans ave

hh01360_ FROM THE CHAIR                                                                                                                        Dave Sclanders

 

From your Committee and Leaders we wish you all a great 2010.

 

2010  South Africa’s BIG year for soccer, and hopefully the many people who come here for this event, will  see some  of the rest of the country, and hopefully spread the news to friends and family to come back to spend “tourist money” to see some of our vast arrays of places to visit – including our Drakensberg, and related attractions.  Whilst they have to pay big money to visit the berg, we have it on our doorsteps, and yet we don’t really use much.   As we grow older, we tend to put off a bit of gay walking or hiking.   Unfortunately we can never catch it up again.   A lost chance is lost opportunity.

 

Some of you may remember that last year your committee “Unveiled” the BIG FIVE CHALLENGE – the challenge was for members who were not so active , to set themselves 5 Goals with the club for the year. Unfortunately this challenge was not the success that we hoped it would be.

 

Again, the Christmas party went off very well, and the day was superb meeting with friends under the big shady Flat Crowned Thorn Trees of   St Mathew’s Church Hall in Hayfields. Our thanks again to Mother Xmas Pat, and sometimes helpful Fairy Helper – Bushy.   They have come to the fore for many years as our Christmas Present presenters.  Thanks again Bushy and Pat.

 

Prizes for the Person who introduced the most people to the Club, for the Best Write-up of a club activity, and the best photo taken from all the photos submitted to the web site over the year, were handed out.   Thanks must go to Rose Dix for all the work she put in to finding the 3 sponsors for these prizes,   We also, from the Committee, thank these sponsors.

 

Hiking has been quiet over the December period, however Keith and Margaret again gathered a group of hikers to spend NEW YEAR’S eve, and a few days hiking at Aasvoelskranz cave  at Highmoor. The weather was good, and no “wandering around” in the dark was experienced. Our leader Keith was/is still suffering from an injured knee, did the hike on “Crutches” – with his big New Year’s eve backpack, then on New Year’s day he led the happy band towards Caracal Cave , on a round the hill route back to Aasvoels.

 

The Club extends a warm welcome to the following new members:  Joel & Dawn Ruttenberg and Kristy &

Otto Solomon.   May you all enjoy many a hike in our company.

 

Again we would ask you to actively recruit friends and family to join the club

 

We have a very full and varied calendar for the next few months, so watch the fixture list, and let’s see you all at an event.  All information is available on our website at   www.gohiking.co.za , and from time to time new snippets of information are added.  Make time to visit the site at regular intervals to see what is going on.   Rod adds new bits and pieces to the web as he gets the stories in, so it is not a static website, and we need new stories from members to keep the web alive, and to encourage people to visit the site to see what is going on.   The website is visited a lot by overseas people, and we get a number of requests for information on the berg, about hikes, about all sorts of things.   Now and again we get a “Wild ONE’, - like  “where do I book the hotels and other accommodation for the Grand Traverse, or more often – the Mini Traverse?????!!!)  It does NOT help to plan from a Road Map.

 

We look forward to meeting all of you at our club activities during 2010.

 

 

KGALAGADI DREAMING (cont.)                                                                Peter Wedge

 

Thursday 23 July – A cold start to the day and then each of us going independently back along the sand road to look for game. The only problem with Mata Mata is that it’s at the end of the road and you can’t cross into Namibia (the international border) unless you stay in the park at least 2 nights so you have to backtrack – no real problem as we all saw plenty of birdlife including the following:

Ø          Bronze winged courser

Ø          Black shouldered kite

Ø          Secretary bird

Ø          Bustard

Ø          Ostrich – literally hundreds of them

 

The terrain is flat and scrub like but teeming with life which is a bit of a contradiction in an arid area such as Kgalagadi.

 

Back to camp by lunchtime for most of us and then by the hide we saw both pearl spotted owl and a Scops owl and a pair of violet eared waxbills – rare and rewarding.

 

A good meal, a fire and gluwein later and then to bed.  It’s a long night from around 20h00 until 06h00 the following morning but for those of us who have to “get up” a few times during the night – even longer!  However there is a bonus for the “pee parade” guys – Mars is at it’s closest for 22,000 years and the brightest object in the night sky after the moon. The planet appears as a reddish disc through binocs so very rewarding.  The Kgalagadi is devoid of any unnatural light so the sky is a wonder of star fields and constellations that you will never see in a built up area.

 

Friday 24 July – The only problem with Mata Mata is that you have the one road to travel so its up and down the same track to find game.  This is fine however as the number of people you see are few and far between.   Gemsbok are the predominant antelope – not surprisingly.

 

This was our last day (and night) in Mata Mata and it was getting colder but none of us were prepared for the temperature recorded early the following morning, -8°C in Keith’s vehicle and a guy a little way away from our site measuring -13°C.  This is seriously cold weather for Botswana – although we had been cautioned as to how low the desert/scrub areas can get.   This is mainly caused by high radiation from the ground at night with clear skies.

 

Saturday 25 July – Most of us taking an hour or so to thaw out after the overnight cold snap and then back down the Twee Rivieren road to a left turn towards Nossob. This was about 60 kms through typical Kgalagadi terrain with plenty of bird life – Kori Bustard aplenty.  These are not uncommon but to see so many during our time in the Transfrontier Park was considered unusual.  They are the world’s heaviest flying bird.

 

Arrival at Nossob around lunchtime and then an hour or so to pitch tents and get settled with the Test between SA and NZ uppermost in the guys’ minds.  Peter ferreted around with the office staff and eventually persuaded one of the SAN Parks guys to allow us to approach the Camp Superintendent – Aubrey.   He had DSTV and was happy for us to join him.   This was a bit bizarre – watching the Boks vs All Blacks in the Kgalagadi bush – right result however.

 

HIKE AT CUMBERLAND ON SUNDAY                                                                        Marina Jurgens

15 November 2009  

 

A wonderful day in the outdoors was had by all who attended the hike on Sunday.    Thank you Allison!

We set off at 09h35 and peered over the edge of a cliff at the beautiful scenery of the Umgeni River below.

Allison then announced that this was where we would be descending. It never fails to amaze me (being fairly new at this) that we actually CAN do it!    After descending we walked along a rocky pathway alongside a cliff face that has been there since time immemorial and came across

 the most amazing variety of ferns.  It did indeed look like a picture from a fairy tale.

All throughout the hike we were accompanied by a feathered choir consisting of various Loeriies, a black MALE Cuckoo, and the ever present PIET MY VROU - And a Hadidah. (Thanx)

Some of us kept a watchful eye out for the resident African Rock Pythons which apparently reside there but didn’t see any.

We had a tea break at a beautiful spot looking onto a waterfall, and then continued walking along side the Umgeni River before ascending again to a view point.

A sign at bottom read BEWARE OF CROCS, again a first for me!

We made our way up to the Kranskop view point after stopping for a brief bite of lunch on the grass outside the HONEY MOON hut.   A very romantic little place for those interested!  The views were AWESOME from the Kranskop.

We then set off for the homeward journey.   Rose is adamant that we walked an extra kilometre further than we needed to!

(I suspect Rose was suffering from chocolate withdrawal as hers had been hijacked earlier)

Thanks again for a fun filled day and I would encourage other members who haven’t yet experienced Cumberland to do so because you won’t be sorry!       

 

INJASUTI / WONDER VALLEY CAVE                                                             Melisa Munday

21 -22 December

 

Attended by:  Leader:  Margaret;  Rose, Max, Rinaldo, Nicky, Alvin, Iris, Lawrence, Darrell and Melisa

 

Saturday the 10 of us met at Injasuti.  This was a first for Darrell and me to Injasuti as well as our first overnight cave.  We thought seeing it’s a “novice” hike we had better give it a try.  We had already done our first hike at Kamberg so let’s try something new on our second hike!    So off we went with our seemingly over packed backpacks.  The weather was great with a cool, light drizzle … which meant wet feet later.

 

So off we went (huffing and puffing), up and up … stopping only briefly so we could catch up and off again.

 

We started up the pass through the gorge, which has the most beautiful vegetation, little streams and waterfalls.  I soon forgot about the weight of my backpack and absorbed all the beauty around us.  We really don’t take enough time to look at our own country’s beauty.  Hiking gives us the wonderful opportunity to see what the average person doesn’t get to see.

Well after doing months worth of “high impact aerobics” we eventually dragged ourselves to the top of the pass and collapsed at the top for a well earned snack.  We heard there was a wonderful view from up there but all we could see was mist.  ‘On the road again’ and off in the direction to Wonder Valley again.  The only other company on the way was a loud troop of Baboons with the largest male I’ve never seen, but they moved off after a while of voicing their opinion.

 

Then at last … “Wonder Valley Cave”…. What a lovely view from the cave!

 

On arrival we were met by our little “host” a mouse with stripes down its back!  He was so overwhelmed to greet us that he came scampering across from his tree truck to get a closer look at us from beneath the rocks!  I think he saw us as his next meal supply!  How cute…! He made us feel quite welcome.

 

Well we were shown our “straw rooms under the cave ledge and we made ourselves at home; unpacking the Kitchen and bedroom!  Then down to the water supply and to view the pool – very tempting but a little too cold (we’ll take a refreshing dip next time – weather permitting).  Then up again with our water.  After a well deserved lunch it was time to try out some of the new equipment, so out with the mattresses and sleeping bags etc.  And that’s the last I remember … zzz … after hauling up my ’10 ton’ backpack to the cave I crashed!!  (Sorry to be bad company…)

 

We woke up in time for a quick clean up and supper was on the go.  Interesting to see what everyone had brought with! 

 

As tradition has it we all squeezed into one ‘room’ and Margaret introduced us to the Ramsbottoms in a bedtime poem called “Albert and the Lion”.  What a great atmosphere, all snug with the rain just outside.  Then it was round two … we all crashed!!

 

I woke just in time to see the last of the sunrise and what a splendid sight!  The sunshine was on the Big Berg lighting it up.  With the mist the previous day I didn’t know it was there.  What a way to spend the week-end.

 

The views on our way back were great – it was like taking a new route with the sun shining and the mist gone.

I was delighted to see a herd of Eland … I’ve heard they run wild in the berg … great to see them.

 

What a splendid week-end, good company, lots of fresh air and exercise and I haven’t slept that well in ages!   So if you haven’t been to Wonder Valley Cave yet … make a note in your diary!  Thanks to Margaret and fellow hikers for a memorable week-end.

 

NEW YEAR IN AASVOELKRANS CAVE                                                         Christie Exall

 

Once in a "Blue Moon" something really enjoyable happens.  Seeing that this particular "Blue Moon" which falls on New Year's Eve only happens every 19 years!

 

For Keith-on-crutches and Margaret, Rose, Max, Dave, dynamite-Margaret, blonde-Margret and me this was extremely special and we spent New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in Aasvoelkrans Cave in the Highmoor Nature Reserve near Kamberg.

 

On Thursday morning, the 31st December we set off to the cave in mild, overcast weather  ….. perfect for hiking.

 

Aasvoelkrans Cave is huge and well protected from the elements. The walk to the cave is easy and about 5km from the Highmoor office.  The descent down to the cave is rather steep and rocky.  A most invitng pool and waterfall awaits the weary hiker, albeit a bit difficult to get to ..... for some!   It is a "double decker" cave with a good approach to the top cave, where the person who wants an easier approach to the river and a cool-off must do a bit of bundu bashing just outside this top cave.

 

Dave Scanders opted to sleep "upstairs".  Rose and I envied him this solitude and view.

 

Later in the afternoon a super foursome arrived to join us.   Consisting of two really beautiful couples.   Us oldies gelled straight away with Joel, Riaan, Adrian and Lois.

 

We were all impatient to celebrate and Margret popped the cork of her bottle of champagne and shared with our group well before 8 o'clock! while the foursome shared theirs.

 

Our cave was festively adorned with lots of fairy candles, which gave it a festive look.   Later during the night we were treated to nature's spectacular display of thunder and lightning.   How lucky can you get!

 

Friday saw us ready to hike at 7.30.   We took an up-and-over route to Caracal Cave.   We stopped at the crest of the path and took a roundabout route back to our cave, via the Boma near the trout dam, where we had lunch.   Here we said our "Good Byes" to Dave and our young friends, Joel, Riaan, Adrian and Lois.

 

Here I must show my admiration for Keith's endurance on crutches!!

 

Our hikes to and from the caves rewarded us with an abundance of wild flowers ........ Helichcrysums, Lobelia, Hypoxis, Sopubia cana, Monopsis decipiens, Scilla nervosa, Aristea woodii, Dierama, Satyrium, Scabiosa and many more.

 

Walking with Rose is always a pleasure .... to observe her laughter and her joie de vie! I always come home having learnt a new wild flower name or two.

 

My admiration for Margaret Double B is enormous!   What a bundle of dynamite!   Such a caring person!  

I simply have to mention Max for his helpfulness ....... especially keeping the supply of water flowing!! 

We so appreciate Nature and not one of us missed the frenzy of celebrating New Year elsewhere.

 

It was my privilege to spend the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year with Keith, Margaret, Dave, Max, Rose, Margaret Double B, Margret, Joel, Dawn, Riaan and Lois.