| MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB - FIXTURE LIST - 25 JAN TO END MAY 2009 - JKA | |||||
| ## Chance to practice & train for backpacking & trails etc at this venue ## - New or inexperienced members should train before attempting trails or harder cave outings etc. | |||||
| DATE | HIKE / AREA | APPROX. | GRADE | LEADER & CONTACT | APPROX. |
| DISTANCE | DETAILS | COST | |||
| Sun 25 Jan 09 | Worlds View - Hilton - Morning hike - Meet & park at Crossways at 09h00 - socialise for drinks, snacks or lunch at Crossways after the hike | Neville Lee - Tel 033 3948049 | No charge except for your drinks etc after | ||
| Fri-Sun | ## Drakensberg Gardens - Cottage weekend - Fully Equipped - Beautiful Area - Max 10 members | 10-15km | 2 - 3 | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | R130 total per person for |
| 30 Jan - 1 Feb 09 | Day hikes from cottage or simply unwind on the property (10 acres). Sorry but now fully booked. | each day | Fri & Sat nights for members | ||
| Sun 8 Feb 09 | ##Karkloof - Day hike in the lovely Karkloof - Contact Mark for more details. | 10 km | 2 | Mark Nellist - Tel 033 3432012 | Please contact Mark for details |
| Fri-Sun | ##Port Edward - Camping weekend - Day hikes in nearby Umtamvuna Reserve & coastal walks - A previous long weekend at Mkambati, led | 8-10km | 2 | Bushy Kirby - Tel 033 2123071 | Depends on how many per camp site |
| 13-15 Feb 09 | by Bushy was a huge success & this promises to be just as enjoyable - Please book asap with Bushy or Pat to secure your place. | each day | Contact Bushy asap for more details | R110 per site pn for up to 6 (R55 pppn for 2) | |
| Tue 17 Feb 09 | Social Evening - Members & friends get-together to socialise & discuss members views on club activities & preferences - any new ideas? | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | No Charge - tea/coffee from 7-00pm | ||
| Sat - Sun | ##Highmoor - Camping - "Wildways" Training Course for members - 3hr navigation training course on Sat 21 Feb then 3hr night navigation activity. | 10-12km | 2 - 3 | Course is free to members who reserve | |
| 21-22 Feb 09 | Members who are not booked on the course are welcome for the weekend, but it is wilderness camping & tents & all gear have to be backpacked to | each day | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | with Keith asap + R10 course notes | |
| the no facilities camping spot.To book a place on the course please contact Keith asap or ask for more details. Day hike on Sunday | Wilderness o/n camping fee R40pp | ||||
| Sun I Mar 09 | ##Boston - Manzimnyama stream, gorge & waterfall (from John Black's farm) - Varied walk, no path in places, rock pool, bring cossies, lunch | 10km | 3 | Philip Grant - Tel 033 997 1817 | R15 donation |
| & water/juice in daypack - brisk pace so physical fitness advisable . | Cell 082 417 9163 | ||||
| Sat - Sun | Injasuti - Camping or cave weekend - Backpack to & overnight in Lower Injasuti Cave (ideal for first time backpackers) or stay at the camp site in | 8-10km | 2 - 3 | For Cave - Allison - Tel 033 3471364 | Cave - R40 pp inc entry fee & levies |
| 6-7 Mar 09 | tents & day hikes from the camp. Allison with lead for the cave & Noel will organise camping - lovely area - please book asap to secure a place | each day | For Camp - Noel - Tel 033 2395098 | Camping - R65 pp inc entry fee & levies | |
| Sun 15 Mar 09 | ##Howick - Day hike - Umgeni Nature Reserve - Lovely area with good views & plenty of game & birdlife - very knowledgeable leader | 8-10km | 2 | Selven Nyker - Tel 033 330 4842 | R15 per person |
| Tue 17 Mar 09 | Social Evening - Excellent Frans Prins DVD presentation on the Drakensberg geology, caves & the Bushmen (all set to stirring music). | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | No Charge - tea/coffee from 7-00pm | ||
| Sat - Sun | Cobham - Backpacking to & overnight in Gxalingenwa Cave - This is a beautiful hike & will mostly be a circular route via part of the | 12-14km | 3 | Teresa Whitfield - Tel 033 3431769 | R40 inc entrance fee & overnight |
| 21-22 Mar 09 | Giant's Cup Trail, visiting Ngenwa Pool, Pinnacle Rock & Emerald Stream - should also have good pool / river swimming opportunities | each day | Cell 082 374 1793 | in cave inc all levies | |
| Sun 29 Mar 09 | ##PMB -Bisley Nature Reserve - Morning hike in this lovely reserve -see plenty of giraffe, antelope, birds & indigenous plants -knowledgeable leader | 8km | 2 | Selven Nyker - Tel 033 330 4842 | No charge |
| Sat 4 Apr 09 | Monteseel - "Wildways Adventures" Training course - Mountain related illnesses & problems - booking essential with Keith. | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | Free to members who reserve + R10 for notes | ||
| Sat - Sun | Highmoor -Backpacking with tents from Highmoor Office area to camp near Roman Baths at Kamberg, returning via an alternative route on Sunday | 23km | 3 | Dave Tighe - Tel 031 464 9033 | The overnight hiking fee is R40 pp |
| 4-5 Apr 09 | back to Highmoor - A new hike for MHC - Chance to visit caves en-route & view Bushman paintings etc. in this beautiful area. | total | Cell - 084 689 9384 | including entry fee & levies | |
| Mon-Mon | Lotheni to Cathedral Peak - 8-day backpacking hike (carring tents) along the Drakensberg contour track. Backpacking fitness is essential for this | Dave Sclanders - Tel 033 2395013 | Staying o/n on 6 Apr at Lotheni | ||
| 6 - 13 Apr 09 | hike as an average daily distance of about 20km is necessary with climbs of up to 900m some days - re-supply will take place at Injisuthi on the | 140km | 4 | Cell : 082 443 4287 | Total cost for the 8-days R340 |
| 3rd day. If you are up to this challenge book your place asap with Dave - Cut-off date for booking is 28 February 09. | total | e-mail : bergfree@absamail.co.za | |||
| Tue - Fri | Kei Mouth to Gonubie - Strandloper Trail - 4-days backpacking along this beautiful section of the Wild Coast - overnight in hiking huts with bunk | 60km | 3 | Allison Gunning - Tel 033 347 1364 | R400 pp |
| 14-17 Apr 09 | beds. Allow for travel day/s before/after the trail. Only a few spaces left - contact Allison for more details & to reserve your place. | total | Cell : 083 441 1951 | ||
| Sun 19 Apr 09 | ##Dargle area - Day hike up Nhlosane mountain via shorter route from base at "Mountain Park" | 8km | 2 | Selven Nyker - Tel 033 330 4842 | R 15 |
| Tue 21 Apr 09 | Social Evening - Details to be confirmed | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | No Charge - tea/coffee from 7-00pm | ||
| Tue - Sun | Western Cape - South of Swellendam - 5-Day / 5-night Whale Trail through the breathtaking De Hoop Nature Reserve - From Potberg to | 55km | 3 | Allison Gunning - Tel 033 347 1364 | R 950 |
| 21 - 26 Apr 09 | Koppie Alleen - A magnificent & very popular trail with excellent overnight facilities. A few places left - Contact Allison asap to reserve your place. | total | Cell : 083 441 1951 | ||
| Sat - Mon | North Coast - Amatigulu Nature Reserve - Accommodation is in 2-bedded pre-erected safari tents - Beautiful coastal reserve - relax & chill out, | short walks in | 2 | Bushy Kirby - Tel 033 2123071 | R110 pppn |
| 25 - 27 Apr 09 | take beach walks, swim in the sea (canoes for hire for use in the river) & socialise with other nature lovers & our special leader Bushy. | reserve & beach | Reserve your place asap | ||
| Fri - Mon | ##Cathedral Peak - Camping long weekend - Promises to be good fun - cycling members bring your bikes for a ride up Mike's Pass etc with | hikes 10-12 km | 2 | Brian Henwood - Tel 033 347 1126 | R80 camping per person per night |
| 1 - 3 May 09 | Brian + day hikes during the weekend to lovely spots or just chill-out in great surroundings | cycling longer | camp sites inc plug points | ||
| Sun | ##Boston area - Nhlosane - Long distance day hike (North & South Ridges) - Very long hike over rough terrain at brisk pace.Excellent views. | 24km | 4 | Philip Grant - Tel 033 997 1817 | R 15 |
| 03-May-09 | Fitness absolutely essential - Bring lunch etc & money for refreshments after hike - Booking essential with Philip by the Wednesday before. | Cell : 082 417 9163 | |||
| Sat 16 May 09 | Monteseel - "Wildways Adventures" Training course - Handling emergencies - booking essential with Keith. | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | Free to members who reserve + R10 for notes | ||
| Sun | ##Byrne area - Circular day hike from Enon Cottage - Route combines open grassland & indigenous forest. Approx 6hrs over rough terrain. | 14km | 3 | Dave Tighe - Tel 031 464 9033 | R 10 |
| 17-May-09 | Physical fitness advisable. Meet leader at the R56 turn off to Richmond at 08h30 but contact Dave about your participation. Braai facilities available | Cell - 084 689 9384 | |||
| Tue 19 May 09 | Social Evening - Details to be confirmed | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | No Charge - tea/coffee from 7-00pm | ||
| Fri - Sun | ##Highmoor area - "Mountain Shadows" (near Glen Garry) - Cottage / Cabins / Caravans & Camping - Excellent facilities - central indoor/outdoor | 8-12km | 2 | Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | Very reasonable prices for cottages, |
| 22 - 24 May 09 | boma with pool table & table tennis + DSTV - farm animals to keep children amused - day hikes from base with new routes also added. | each day | Book early to secure your place | cabins, caravans & camping with | |
| Lovely spot - just relax & chill out if you wish. Please book & pay to reserve place. | electric points - check with Keith | ||||
| Sat 30 May 09 | ##Karkloof - New day hike through Everdon Estates led by the man who knows the area better than anybody - Note Sat not Sun | 8-10km | 2 | Cecil Hackney but contact Keith | No charge |
| Keith Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 | |||||
| SOCIALS VENUE : As usual all socials are held in the Church of the Ascension Hall starting at 7-30pm with tea / coffee available from 7-00pm & time to socialise - plenty of room for parking next to the hall, accessed from Brindy Road, Hilton. | |||||
| Grading of hikes | |||||
| 1. Very easy trip - please inform the leader to confirm your participation by the Wednesday prior to the hike. | |||||
| 2. Easy trip - please inform the leader to confirm your participation by the Wednesday prior to the hike. | |||||
| 3. Moderate trip - Physical fitness advisable - If an overnight trip, camping or in a cave etc please inform the leader of your participation at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance as bookings have to be made. | |||||
| 4. Strenuous trip - Physical fitness essential - If an overnight trip, camping or in a cave etc please inform the leader of your participation at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance as bookings have to be made. | |||||
| 5. Very strenuous trip - A high degree of physical fitness essential - Normally an overnight trip so please inform the leader of your participation at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance as bookings have to be made. | |||||
| Multi-day trails - Please inform the leader of your participation as soon as possible after posting in the fixture lists as bookings have to be made well in advance. | |||||
| Please note that the leaders have the prerogative to make a decision not to include a member/s if they have doubts about their physical fitness or do not have adequate gear etc for a particular hike. | |||||