IN THIS ISSUE :   From the Chair;    Kgalagadi Dreaming (cont);  A Rainy Week-end at Mahai;  Another Hella Hella Adventure with Bushy Kirby 

hh01360_ FROM THE CHAIR                                                                                                        Dave Sclanders

 

May is half way finished, in my mind one of the best times of the year in which to hike . The days are fairly cool, the nights not too cold, and the berg is still very pretty in Autumn colours.  The trees that line the road at Kamberg are changing colour, and make a colourful picture lining the roadside.   Having spent  4 of the last 6 week-ends in the berg, I have had the pleasure of seeing the changes occur, no doubt the people living in the area have not really noticed the colour changes, but would have noticed the serious drop in temperatures as the sun slips over the horizon in the early evening.

 

FIRE SEASON  -  Ezemvelo – the OFFICIAL name of EKZN Wildlife, have started to burn their tracer lines through the grasslands in preparation for their annual big firebreak burns in June/July.   It could be to your safety advantage to enquire at the office as to where burning took place over the week – no burning on the week-ends- so if you are in that area keep your eyes open for signs of smoke. If the wind is right, a smoldering piece of wood or animal dropping can come to life and start a major fire.  Watch where you are walking, and have a “moving escape plan” in mind all the time as to where you can escape, if a fire does spring up.  Smokers in the group should not smoke whilst walking, and only smoke at a safe place, like on a big rock or grassless area.   YOU WILL NEVER OUTRUN A MOUNTAIN FIRE – so start to be vigilant as of now until the rains come again.

 

Club hikes have been well attended in general these past few weeks, however you would have noticed that a large number of our hikes are combined with Mountain Backpackers Club from Durban, and Maritzburg Ramblers . There seems to be a general drop in hiking numbers in these clubs, and by combining the events, enough numbers of hikers can be raised to make the leaders time and effort worthwhile.   Everyone has time constraints, and especially so our leaders.  It must be remembered that whilst these are combined hikes, and hikers from the different clubs do mix, in general one has to be a member of the other clubs as well.   One may do one or two hikes with the “other club” as a visitor, you will however be expected to join that club for more active hiking.

 

At one time we used to show a number of our club hikes as a slide show at our Socials, this practice seems to have dropped to an extent, and people who have not, or do not hike, or do day trips are no longer getting an overview of what members are up to.  The club does have it’s own website where a lot of these stories do end up thanks to Rod, however, what does sort of concern me, is the low number of visits to the site.  A large number of us have computers and Internet link ups, my question to all is, when did you last visit our site ?????    www.gohiking.co.za.  The club Newsletter cannot be a story magazine about all the hikes done.

 

Again our request is that when you receive the new Newsletter, go through it, and make a plan there and then to do a hike or day trip , and phone the leader then – even 2 months early, and commit to that day.  We still cancel hikes on the Wednesday prior to the week-end due to lack of support. This really does not encourage your leaders.

 

The Club Web Site is www.gohiking.co.za.    Feedback to Rod seems to have died down a bit , so please if you do participate on a club activity, let’s get some photos and a short write up for Rod.   As already mentioned, if you haven’t visited the site, visit it and see what is going on.

 

A MORE SERIOUS POINT  :  Allison Gunning,our very capable Club Vice Chair, club hike leader, organizer of many of our club socials, Quiz evenings, and amazing finder of different venues for our club, like our present Club Venue, the very attractive Xmas Party Venue , and very professional chair at meetings where I have been away, has due to the pressure of her work, to step down from the club committee.   Allison will however, stay on as a club hiking member.

Allison , from the Club Committee, and from all members of the club, thank you for all you have done for our Club.  You have led us to new places, and many new ideas , and given us all great inspiration on the many out of club “achievements” that you have done.   We will sorely miss you and your ideas and passion for the berg and other outdoor adventures.   Thank you, we really hope and trust that we will have your company on some of our hikes, and certainly at some of our club socials.

WELCOME

 

Hello and welcome to the following new members who we hope will enjoy many a hike and social gathering in our company:   Debbie Farnham and Morne Fisher.

 

CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 17 August  2010

 

We have our May social, and then our July Social, then the AGM.

The AGM may seem far away, but it is not, and as Club Members you will need to start now to look for at least 2 new Committee members.   As already mentioned, Allison is stepping down, she was  Vice – chair, and a hike leader.

 

After 6 years as Chairman, I will not be available for re-election to the committee at the AGM. I will still be available as a hike leader only.

 

So as members of the Club, I ask you to start to look NOW for 2 new committee members, and in that to vote for a New Chair and Vice Chair.   Don’t wait for the AGM, then look around to see who you can nominate. It won’t work.

 

The Chair does not have to be a serious hiker or berg fanatic. It needs someone who can guide the club forward, be able to chair the committee and social meetings, and look at new avenues to keep the club working.   The hike leaders can sort out the hike stuff.

 

We still desperately need day and berg leaders.   Hiking Regards                                                            Dave

 

KGALAGADI DREAMING (cont.)                                                           Peter Wedge

 

Sunday 26 July – Quite a bit milder this morning – still a touch of frost but quite manageable. Keith and Margaret driving all the way to Unions End and back – about 240 kms but not a lot to report.  In any event you can only stick to the one road.  Peter and Chris sticking to Marie se Draai loop with some quite rewarding scenes viz –

*Lioness with limp about 7km from the camp.  We reported this to the staff but they were aware of her condition and reassured us that she would survive.

*Peter, Paul and June saw 4 lionesses lazing under a thorn tree with a herd of gemsbok giving them the eye from about 300m away – but two had got separated and whilst rejoining the main herd almost came unstuck when one of the pride made a serious but unsuccessful attempt to cut them off.  Great stuff.

*We also saw several birds – cape vultures in a tree, one in a nest, bateleur circling with that distinctive balancing movement.  A bataleur is a French tightrope walker who uses a pole for balance and hence the appropriate name for the bird – it actually looks like it’s balancing on a tightrope as it flies.

* Also several pale chanting goshawks.

 

Back to camp and Peter and Paul cooking up a beef potjie – eagerly finished off by all. A good day’s viewing.

 

Monday 27 July – Our last day in Nossob – most of us having an easy morning and then afternoon drive.  Lion walking along Marie se Draai loop – clearly his territory and don’t you forget it!

 

Good fire at night and Margret’s gluwein to keep us warm.

 

Tuesday 28 July – Morris and Noël going back to Twee Rivieren as they had doubts about the Honda CRV’s ability to negotiate deep sand which was to be our experience for the forthcoming 200 kms to Mabuasehube.

 

Keith had wisely decided to split the journey with an overnight stay – 100 kms from Nossob.  This proved to be correct as we needed 4 hours or so to drive 100 kms. The road/track was quite firm in places but deep sand every so often so Morris and Noël would have had a lot of difficulty in getting through.

 

The general terrain changed from the Nossob River area into more dense bush.  We arrived at Matopi 1 – our overnight camp. This is just a clearing with no facilities at all – so our first job was to dig a pit latrine – as it happened, deep enough for a week!  All but Peter going to have a look at Matopi 2 – about 7 kms eastwards on the Mabua track.  Peter electing to look after the camp.  A bit quiet on your own!

 

There are no fences so you are at the mercy of wildlife. This was when the pee bottles came into their own. You can’t leave the tent at night so you have to manage! A few cries and grunts at night (outside the tent!) – Dai Gifford was a bit apprehensive – we all were!  But all of us getting a sound sleep.

 

Wednesday 29 July – On to Mabuasehube – there are about 4 camps with 2 of the 4 having long drops and cold showers so reasonably civilized – it was also quite a bit warmer/milder than Mata/Nossob.   The camp where we were to stay was Mpaathutlwa 2 with long drop and cold shower.   This had a good outlook onto a large pan.

 

The camp has several families of ground squirrels who show no fear and come right up to your hand. We also had a couple of scarlet breasted bush shrikes around the campsite. Their colour against the sand is quite startling and they are not exactly tame but they make their presence felt.

 

Incredibly clear skies again at night although we were to experience a change of weather in the next day or so!    More later.   Peter’s birthday today so a double gluwein from Margret.    Late’ish night – in bed by 21h00!

 

 

RAINY WEEKEND AT MAHAI - SEE WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED!      Christie Exall

 

Apart from braving a very rainy Friday 29th January at Mahai camp - Royal Natal National Park - the weekend turned out to be a superb one - weather and friends wise.

 

With our charming couple, Mark & Mary, our bubbly "pro" Rose and the ever helpful Max, the weekend turned out to be a very good one.

 

Tents were pitched, a gazebo was put up and we were sheltered against the rain and ready for any eventuality.   It rained non-stop on Friday afternoon and during the night I decided to throw in the towel and go home the next day.

 

Saturday morning dawned, although misty, thank goodness, no rain.  The weather improved greatly and we were off on a hike to Thendele hutted camp via Tiger Falls.   The river was in full spate.   We headed up to the Cascades which proved spectacular after the rains.   We stopped at every available viewpoint on our way to the falls, simply to stare in awe at the raging waters.   Here Rose spotted Phygelius acquilis.   Soon after beautiful Harveya speciosa.

 

The path to the falls is concreted all the way to Mahai "hotel".   Very steep in places and it had yours truly huffing and puffing and cursing a few times.  Once we reached Mahai "hotel" we had a little treat. ( as Allison Gunning will say).   Again what a superb view from there.   The weather still misty but very pleasant for hiking.   The paths lined with beautiful blue Aristea woodii and Lobelia.

 

The going became easy now.   Before we crossed a smallish waterfall Rose spotted Schizoglossum atropurneum.   She has such a good eye for spotting these beauties.  Then we were off to Tiger Falls.

 

Now Tiger Falls!!   What a spectacular sight.   We stayed a while and stared in awe as the waters just roared over the edge.   After the falls we walked past a wonderful wild Bottlebrush tree, huge, old and covered in thick green moss.   Now the path cleared and we had a most pleasant hike all the way to Thendele hutted camp.   Here we lunched, but unfortunately could not get a clear view of the Amphitheatre since it was shrouded in mist and clouds.

 

We wandered past Thendele towards a steep path going down towards the Gorge. I opted to wait at a most inviting bench with the most wonderful view of the river way down.   The energetic ones set off, disappeared round the hill but soon appeared again to do the steep climb back to where I was waiting.   By this time the sun came out and the weather turned glorious.

 

Again Rose spotted some Galtonia candicans, Sopubia cana and Eucomis autumnalis.    Now it was time for our reverse hike back to Mahai camp.   Again it was a very pleasant hike back to Mahai camp.   Once we got back it was a case of flopping down in our camping chairs and enjoying tea, coffee and biscuits or whatever took our fancy.   Here we stayed and relaxed till supper time.   Lots of good conversation was the norm.   Then it was time to crawl into our sleeping bags.

 

Sunday dawned with a sight to behold.   The setting sun painted the mountains a wonderful red hue.   I packed to go home while the rest of our group went on a short hike to Sunday Falls, where Mary and Max enjoyed a swim.   (How jealous I am that I missed this swim!)

 

Once again - you do not know what a wonderful weekend you missed.

 

Thanks Mark for leading us.   Mary for just being there with your wonderful gentle way.   Rose for pointing out the flowers.   Who will ever get tired of her "Oh look!" and then she will always point out something worth looking at.   Max for erecting your gazebo and ensuring that we were dry even though it rained so much on Friday.

 

As for me.......I am so glad I went to Mahai camp.  The hiking was great as well as my fellow hikers. Thanks to all for making the weekend a success.

 

ANOTHER HELLA HELLA ADVENTURE WITH BUSHY KIRBY           Libby Deysel

 

Mike Kirby (Ramblers Club) very kindly offered to drive Carolee and myself to Richmond to meet up with Bushy and Pat  and the rest of the hikers, namely Mike and Dallas  (coincidence having two Mike Kirby’s on the hike!!),  Bronwen, Dale and Bruce.

 

As we were approaching Highover down the windy, windy  dirt road and saw the cliffs looming high above the river, Mike said that that was where we were going.   I said that as long as we climbed the ridge on the side and did not have to scale the face of the cliffs, it would be ok.   As it turned out that was exactly the place we were going to climb, but not the ridge on the side or the cliffs.

 

Fortunately, for us, apart from a shortish climb up a path in the sun, we then entered a lovely indigenous forest and most of the climbing was in the shade.   The path was very well maintained, and in the steep places steps had been cut into the soil (although for the shorties like me, we had to take a few giant strides).  We stopped for elevenses half way up and I spotted a very strange looking chongololo (millipede??) – not long and thin, but fat and short.    I have taken a photo and hope to have it identified.   We also saw plenty of very pretty butterflies and neatly woven spiders’ webs.  

 

Before entering the forest, Bushy led us on a slight detour to see a massive rock which had (how many years ago, is anyone’s guess) broken away from the cliff above and had come to rest on a widish ledge above the river.   There was a cave underneath the rock and some bats had taken occupation.   We could see the cliff face above where the rock had broken away, but the rock itself was well hidden in a small forest.

 

I think the climb was about 4.5 (total for the day 10 km) and about 1100m and as it was a very hot day, we did take things slowly with plenty of stops for water and viewing.   There were frequent questions – “are we near the top?”  to which came the rely “just around the corner”.   It was one of those corners …………!!   However, when we eventually did reach the top we came out onto grassland with stunning views of the river and camp below and looked across at the ridge the other side of the valley where we had hiked another time with Bushy.    We could also see Pat and Dallas walking down by the camp.   They had decided, because of the heat, that staying down in the valley was a better option.

 

We found a shady spot for lunch and a long rest.   We then proceeded with the descent to the cars and  decided to climb over a fence rather than walk a bit further to the gate.  We walked down the road and the heat reflecting back in our faces off the road was unbelievable.   I normally love the heat, but this was something else and I had to keep telling myself to put one foot in front of the other and dodge from one side of the road to the other to find a tiny bit of shade for a fleeting moment.   Most of us eventually ended up sitting in the river to cool off.   Bushy and Pat also had a good supply of iced water which was our saving grace.

 

Bushy has another hike planned in the same area and if you have never been there, I recommend that you join him.   It is so beautiful.   Many thanks to Bushy and Pat for a wonderful day.   Mike had two very quiet passengers in his car on the way back to Howick – I was certainly nodding off to sleep every now and again!!