| MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB FIXTURE LIST FOR PERIOD: MARCH TO JUNE
2011 |
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| DATE |
TYPE |
APPROX. DIST. |
GRADE |
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES |
LEADER & CONTACT
DETAILS |
APPROX. COST |
| Sat 19 Mar |
DAY
HIKE |
±12 km |
3 |
MOUNT
GILBOA DAY HIKE -
Another chance to do this lovely local hike to Mare's Tail Falls and Mount
Gilboa - as usual bring day-pack with lunch and snacks.
|
Kevin
Knox-Davies 033 239 5262 or 084 510 5702 |
nil |
| 19 - 21 Mar |
CAMPING |
8-12km
each day |
1 - 3 |
PORT
EDWARD - TO STRAND CAMPSITE - Long weekend camping and
hiking at beautiful area close to beach. Also self-catering cottages
available. Book early because a popular long weekend. |
Bushy Kirby 083 757
2660 |
|
| Sat - Sun 26 - 27 Mar |
CAMPING |
25 km |
2 |
HIGHMOOR
NATURE RESERVE - Tenting at campsite - 2 day hikes from
the camp Sat & Sun. Hike and
explore new areas of Highmoor.
Relatively flat and easy walking.
Ideal for first time campers, or hikers who can come for either day if
not wanting to stay overnight. Please phone and book for the day hikes to
confirm hike start. |
Dave
Sclanders - 082 443 4287 or bergfree@absamail.co.za |
Camping R55pppn |
| Sun 3 Apr |
CHALETS
& DAY HIKE |
15
km |
2 |
ST
CATHRYNS near Kranskop - This is a combined mountain
biking and hiking weekend, but day hikers are welcome. Saturday hike is on
the farm through plantations and fields. Sunday morning hike is to The Kop
with spectacular views across the Tugela River valley. There are 4 self-catering
cabins overlooking a 9-hole golf course and large dam. Can accommodate 14
persons. There is also a restaurant next to the dam. |
Brian
Henwood - 082 655 6359 or brian@hn.co.za |
Brand
new cabins at R215 pppn. No charge for day visitors. |
| Sat 9 Apr |
DAY
HIKE |
16kms
/ 350m |
3 |
KAMBERG
near Rosetta - Hike in this beautiful area and visit
quality Bushman's paintings with a professional guide. Fitness required as we will do some hill
climbing - good footware advisable. |
Dave
Sclanders - 082 443 4287 or bergfree@absamail.co.za |
R30pp |
| Fri to Sun 15 - 17 Apr |
CHALETS
& CAMPING |
10
km |
2 |
DOLPHIN
HOLIDAY RESORT at Ballito - Camp or stay in self-catering
chalets at a well-maintained Resort close to the main beach at Ballito. Visit
the Barn Swallows at Mt Moreland on Saturday evening. 1 or 2 nights camping or stay in chalets. |
Kevin
Knox-Davies - 033 239 5262 or 084 510 5702 |
Sites
R310 per night for 4. Self-catering cottages R695 per night for 4. |
| 23 - 27 Apr |
TRAIL |
59
km |
3 |
STRANDLOPER
TRAIL, Eastern Cape. A 4-day hike from Kei Mouth to Gonubie mainly along beautiful
beaches. Maximum 12 in a group. Trail now full, waiting list only. |
John
Fourie - 0825557448 |
Cost
of hut accommodation and shuttle R 690 pp |
| Sun 1 May |
DAY
HIKE |
15
km |
2 |
CUMBERLAND
NATURE RESERVE on the fringes of Pietermaritzburg. Day
hike through the nature reserve along the uMgeni River and up to the falls.
Camping facilities and spacious picnic sites available. |
Brian
Henwood - 082 655 6359 or brian@hn.co.za |
Honesty
box at the gate. |
| Fri-Sun 6 - 8 May |
COTTAGES&
CAMPING |
8-12km
each day |
2 |
HIGHMOOR
AREA - "Mountain
Shadows" (near Glen Garry) - Cottages /
Cabins / Caravans & Camping - excellent facilities - central indoor/outdoor boma with braais + DSTV - day hikes from base -
Lovely spot - just relax & chill out if you wish. - New routes also added
- A general e-mail was issued with full details so
please contact Keith asap for spaces still available. - "Combined weekend with Mountain Backpackers" |
Keith
Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 |
R100
pppn Cott, R75 cabins, R60 caravans & R50 camping (R40 pensioner) |
| 14-15 May Sat-Sun |
HUT |
28km
/ 550m |
3 |
Combined
Mountain Backpackers - Giants Castle to Bannerman's Hut - return via
Langalibalele Ridge. Early booking
essential as EKZN wants payment with booking.
Last booking date 27 April, 2011. |
Dave
Sclanders - 082 443 4287 or bergfree@absamail.co.za |
R45pp
- early booking essential |
| Sun 15 May |
HALF-DAY
HIKE |
8
km |
2 |
HILTON
COLLEGE ESTATE - Meet at the Main Gate at 8:00 and enjoy
a guided hike through the estate with lunch at the picnic site down by the
river. |
Teresa
Whitfield - 0823741793
or tkc@hiltoncollege.com |
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| Tues 17 May |
CLUB
NIGHT |
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Presentations
by leaders of forthcoming club activities. |
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| 20 - 22 May |
CAMPING |
16 km |
3 |
COBHAM
NATURE RESERVE. A rustic but popular KZN Wildlife camp
site just 10km from Himeville in the southern Drakensberg. Numerous options
for hikes from the campsite but proposing a climb to a vantage point
overlooking the Sani Pass Hotel. |
John
Fourie - Tel 0825557448 |
Camping
R 55 pppn |
| Sun 29 May |
DAY
HIKE |
10 km |
3 |
HIGHOVER
NATURE RESERVE. On the banks of the Mkomazi River at
Hella Hella some 20 km from Richmond.
Day Hike from Highover to beautiful waterfall. |
Bushy Kirby 083 757
2660 |
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| Fri - Sun 3 - 5 Jun |
HUTS
& CAMPING |
10-15km |
2 - 3 |
GARDEN
CASTLE NATURE RESERVE near Drakensberg Gardens Hotel -
Stay in Swiman Hut or camp in lovely site & enjoy an exploration weekend
with the Ashtons - lovely hikes from
base. Swiman Hut has electricity, bunk
beds with mattresses + hot water shower & bath + flush toilets + indoor
fireplace & outdoor braai areas. Camp site (no elec.) about 1km from hut.
- "Combined weekend with Mountain Backpackers" |
Keith
Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 |
Swiman
Hut - R75 pppn & camping R120 per site for 2 people |
| Sat 4 Jun |
EDUCA-TIONAL |
0
km |
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AFRICAN
BIRDS OF PREY, Ashburton area - visit to this interesting
sanctuary - No planned hiking, simply an educational outing. Meet at 9:30;
demonstartion at 10:00. |
Mark
082 826 2526 or Mary
083 700 6199 |
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| Fri - sun 10 - 12 Jun |
COTTAGES&
CAMPING |
8-12km
each day |
2 |
BOSTON
- "BOSTON T-PARTY" - This is a really lovely
spot not far away & we had a great time there at the end of November last
year - Local day hikes will be done from our base. Accommodation includes :-
private en-suite rooms, 8-bed dormitory, indoor pre-erected 2-person tents,
lovely outdoor campsites - self-catering fully equipped kitchen-cum-lounge,
communal showers with plenty of hot water. Full details issued to members by
email previously. - "Combined
weekend with Mountain Backpackers" |
Keith
Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 - Contact Keith asap for spaces still available |
en-suite
R150 pppns - dorm R80 pppn - indoor camping R70 pppns - camping R50 pppn |
| 11-12 June |
Cave |
32km
/ 370m |
3 |
Combined
Mountain Backpackers - Cobham - Lakes Cave - return via Shiphongweni Rock Art
Site - fairly easy hike |
Dave
Sclanders - 082 443 4287 or bergfree@absamail.co.za |
R45pp |
| Sun 19 Jun |
HALF
DAY HIKE |
8 km |
2 |
BLESBERG
FARM near Lidgetton - Morning hike on the slopes of Blesberg through indigenous bush and
across grassland with beautiful scenery. Picnic lunch at the dam. Also a
mountain bike trail for the more energetic. Accommodation available in 4
cottages. |
Brian
Henwood - 082 655 6359 or brian@hn.co.za |
R30
pp donation for the development of the trails. |
| 24 - 26 Jun |
COTTAGE |
10-15km |
2 - 3 |
Drakensberg
Gardens - Cottage weekend - Fully equipped & very
comfortable - Beautiful Area in the heart of the mountains - Max 10 members.
Day hikes from cottage or simply unwind on the property (10 acres). - Please
book early to secure your place |
Keith
Ashton - Tel 033 2395023 |
R150
total per person (R75 pppn) |
| Sun 26 Jun |
DAY
HIKE |
15 km |
2 |
GWAHUMBE
GAME PARK, Mid Illovo area. Hike through this lovely game park. |
Bushy Kirby 083 757
2660 |
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| ADVANCE NOTICE |
| Sept / Oct 11 |
OVERSEAS HIKE |
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PERU
- Main trip of 18 days includes Inca Trail, Cusco, Lake Titicaca etc -
possible to add on Amazon, Puerto Maldonado with boat cruise to Sondeval
Lake, Nazca Lines. Suggested dates 14 Sep to 3 Oct 2011. NOTE: Between 1-19
March contact Malcolm Pearse direct on summitventures@mweb.co.za and mention
M Kirsten in email. |
Margret
Kirsten - mjkirsten@telkomsa.net. |
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| GRADINGS
OF HIKES |
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SOME IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT HIKING |
CLUB NIGHTS |
| Grade 1 |
Very
easy - so minimal fitness required |
1.
Hikes are graded so that members can select the activity best suited
to their own level of fitness and do not cause unreasonable delay to fellow
hikers. |
Our Club nights are held on the
third Tuesday of every second month in the Church of the Ascension Hall
starting at 19:30. Tea & coffee served from 19:00. Come along early and
meet your fellow members. Plenty of parking next to the hall, accessed from
Brindy Road, Hilton. A R5 tip for the car guard would be very much
appreciated. |
| Grade 2 |
Not
too strenuous - moderate fitness desirable |
2.
Contact the leader of a day hike at least 3 days in advance of your
intention to participate. |
| Grade 3 |
Moderate
- Regular exercise advisable |
3.
Contact the leader of a camping weekend at least one week in advance
of your intention to participate. |
| Grade 4 |
Strenuous
- Physical fitness essential |
4.
If accommodation bookings are required please contact the leader at
your earliest convenience to secure yourself a booking. |
| Grade 5 |
Very strenuous - A high level of physical
fitness is essential. |
5.
Leaders have the prerogative to exclude a member if they doubt their
health condition, physical fitness or suitability of their hiking gear for a
particular activity. |
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6.
Advise the leader of any medical condition prior to any hike &
carry the necessary medication - The leader will not administer First
Aid. |
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