UMGENI VALLEY LOWER DWARFS DAWDLE TRAIL

 It's funny how the first thing Margaret Ashton says to me when she sees me standing outside the Umgeni Valley Office is "Wasn't your last hike that one to Weaver Cave...?" and when Keith later heard I had been on a hike he mails something about putting Weaver Cave on the fixture list for me. Hmmm...

Anyway I have worked out that the DWARF part of Umgeni Valley's trail refers to the height of the handrails on the somewhat rustic steps leading downwards on the trail or rather I should say rather rustic somewhat steps since they tended to be rather tenuous as far as steps go.

Pic shows hikers proceeding very cautiously.

Being the gentleman that he is Selven did permit the hike to proceed at a lesurely pace though I would not exactly describe it as a DAWDLE. The hike is more fully described in the NEWSLETTER section of the GoHiking site, though since I took all the photos I don't appear in any of them so I offer the following pic of my hiking boots which should attest to my having been out on the trail once again. OK well maybe they aren't that much proof but - I did go on the hike and it was GREAT - also nice to have spent time with fellow MHC hikers and to have met and chatted with some of the Mountain Backpacker folk (and visitors...) Hi ALL!!!

MHC CLUB PRIZES
However I want to concentrate on the recognition given to our people who took the trouble to take and submit photos and do writeups over the past year and who were recognised for having done so in being awarded prizes for best photo and best report categories, these members are:

BEST PHOTOGRAPH: Noel Harper for her pic of Castleburn Dam with reflections of the mountains and beyond

BEST HIKE WRITE-UP: Peter Wedge's 8 Day Naukluft Trail - The following links will take you to the sections of this three section report in the respective newsletters DAYS 1-3 DAYS 4-6 DAYS 7-End

Congratulations also to the following HIGHLY COMMENDED write-up authors:
  • Backpacking Weekend, Bushman's Nek to Whyte's Cave "Emotional Thoughts" - Petro Mostert

  • Long Weekend at Keith & Margaret's Berg Cottage - Sally Browne

  • Climbing Mt Kenya - Peter Wedge


    • Noel's pic was posted in my last comment (Oct 20th 2007) but it is certainly worth posting here again together with the runner up HIGHLY COMMENDED PICS from
  • Irene Wisdom (Hikers and Devils Knuckels framed by rock arch)

  • Keith Ashton (International Backpackers Dam with reflection of Mt Erskine

  • Keith Ashton (Close up of two adult hippos with baby hippo)



    • If anyone is listening to me maybe at the end of this year there could be a further category for BEST MULTI-MEDIA PRESENTATION - a couple of Chantel's presentations from last year would have got my vote for that - whatever the media it is all about capturing the experience of the hike and sharing it with others.

    And while on about sharing experiences I am keen to hear and see a report on the Cycle Ride to Rhodes - seems that among the veterens taking part was a vintage tractor - should be an interesting story...


    Keep well! See you on a hike

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