Yes I was impressed by the topic of the January Social evening, so impressed that I sat down and mapped my personal "BIG FIVE" - for those that missed hearing from the committee about the "BIG FIVE CHALLEGE" it is essentially to "set yourself an achievable new years resolution & target to complete 5 different club activities"
In reality I admit I only set three immediate targets
1. Worlds View Hilton Day Hike
2. Umgeni Nature Reserve Hike with Selven Nyker
3. Overnight in Gxalingenwa Cave
REPORT BACK ON TARGET 1:WORLDS VIEW HIKE
The fuzzy pic accompanying is us tramping through the welcome shade of the old tunnel on the World's View trail - the fuzziness being due to my not using flash so as to get the effect of being in a tunnel. At the exit/entrance to the tunnel we rested for morning snack break. Third pic is of my daughter AmyB looking cool at the rest break - this was our last father/daughter outing before she left for a 6 month adventure of traveling round the perimeter of Australia (by car not hiking).
.
.
Best way I can describe the remainder of the hike is that it all went downhill from that point on - and it was downhill - and as I know only too well through the elementary geography, and practical experience, what goes down must at some point go back up to return to starting point.
In conclusion let me say that AmyB managed to finish off the hike in fine form just behind Dave Sclanders, who was merciful enough to come back with transport to pick up Amy's father so that he could live to see her off at the airport later that week!
REPORT BACK ON TARGET 2:UMGENI VALLEY
I have hiked with Selven on quite a few occasions in the past and know him to be a compassionate leader who would not push me beyond my means, also his hikes are always a pleasure as he has a keen eye in picking out items of interest. Really enjoyable outing of about 6 hours with good company and good hiking - only disappointment was that my camera failed, coming to life only long enough to take the following arbitrary pic from our lunch spot overlooking the Umgeni River. Thanks Selven and fellow hikers for a great day.
NO REPORT BACK ON TARGET 3: because I have opted to get fitter through tackling more day hikes before I tackle the Berg with an overnight backpack - so see you soon on a day hike!
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
BRIAN HENWOOD for best write-up for the 2008 year (read the report at: Ride To Rhodes) and
BRIAN HENWOOD for best photograph - "View of Giant's Cup framed by trees, from Cobham". Also to Howard Townsend, Keith Ashton, Irene Wisdom, and Noel Harper who featured as runners up in the contest AND OF COURSE to ALL contributors for your pics and reports of hikes - you are STARS for sharing and contributing to the club newsletter and website.
Below is Brians winning pic followed by the runner ups:
.
.
...and also just to share my personal favourite pic for the year, one of Brian's Ride to Rhodes pics:
Keep well! See you on a hike