MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB FIXTURE LIST:   JANUARY - MARCH 2012
DATE	TYPE	GRADE	APPROX. DIST.	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES	LEADER & CONTACT DETAILS	APPROX. COST
Fri-Sun	COTTAGE	2-3	12-15Km	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). DSTV for news & sport etc - Please book early to secure your place.	Keith Ashton – 033 239-5023	R150 total per person
13-15Jan			each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za	(R75 pppn)
Tues	CLUB NIGHT			OUT OF AFRICA' - Mark and Mary have returned from a wonderful trip through Swaziland, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. They will be sharing their experiences with us. Don't miss it!  UPCOMING ACTIVITIES – Leaders will answer questions on upcoming hikes. Meet at Church of the Ascension Hall, Brindy Road, Hilton at 7:30. Refreshments will be served from 7:00.
17-Jan
Sun	DAY HIKE	2	8Km	BLESBERG FARM near Lidgetton - Morning hike on the slopes of Blesberg through indigenous bush and across grassland with beautiful scenery. After a leasurely picnic lunch at the dam, a short hike to the ridge above Dargle valley.	Brian Henwood – 082 655-6359	R30 pp donation for the development of the trails
22-Jan					brian@hn.co.za
Sat-Sun	CAMPING	2	13Km	NHLOVINI MOUNTAIN (2026m) in the Cobham Nature Reserve - A hike to the top of the mountain reveals stunning views in all directions. Return via Pinnacle Rock or shorter route. Accm also available in Pholela Hut.	John Fourie – 072 871-1252	R60 pppn for camping or
28-29 Jan						R25 for day visitors
Sat-Sun	CAVE	3	10-12 km	HIGHMOOR - Backpacking to & overnight in Aasvoelkrans Cave - Ideal for first time backpackers as distance to the cave is only about 5 km - however we will do explorations of the area from the cave - lovely pool & waterfall adjacent - Bushman paintings nearby - Combined weekend with Mountain Backpackers.	Keith Ashton – 033 239-5023	R45 pp
4-5 Feb			each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za	incl. entry & levies
Fri-Sun	COTTAGE	2-3	10-15Km	MONK'S COWL - Mary Clover's Cottage "Makulumane" - Champagne Castle/Monks Cowl area set high above the Drakensberg Boys Choir. Comfortable accommodation in lovely setting - day hikes from cottage or just relax. Book early to secure your place. Vehicles with high clearance needed, but lifts can be arranged.	Mary Clover – 083 700-6199	R70 pppn
10-12 Feb			each day
Sun	DAY HIKE	2	16Km	PLEASANT PLACES at Lidgetton - A hike to Swissland Cheese in the heartland of the Midlands Meander across picturesque farmlands, and visiting other popular venues. Good quality B&B accommodation also available.	Christie Exall – 083 233-1998
12-Feb
Sun	DAY HIKE	3	17Km	OTTO'S BLUFF DAY HIKE - A circular route from Ferncliffe Nature Reserve to Otto's Bluff and return. Spectacular views of the city & Albert Falls Dam.  Meet in the reserve at the top of Town Bush Road in Pietermaritzburg.	Brian Henwood – 082 655-6359	no charge
19-Feb					brian@hn.co.za
Sat-Sun	CAVE	3	20Km	SINCLAIRS CAVE – fairly easy walk from Kamberg Ezemvelo offices. 20 kms round trip, climb 600m, some of the way is on Eland tracks. San Rock Art on the way back. NB: Last booking date 21 Feb.	Dave Sclanders  082  443-4287	R45 pp for overnighting in the cave, share fuel expenses
25-26 Feb
Sat-Sun	TRAIL HUTS	2+		BLINKWATER – on the Greytown road from Pmb. Land of indigenous forests, upland grasslands, vleis, streams and commercial plantations – home to the endangered Oribi and rare Blue Swallow. Island Dam is the breeding ground for the rare and endangered Wattled Crane. Max 12 people, so book early.	John Fourie – 072 871-1252	R65 pppn
3-4 Mar
Sun	DAY HIKE	2	12-14 Km	UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE near Howick - Lovely local day hike in a beautiful area - great views & chance to see plenty of game & bird life. Combined hike with Mountain Backpackers.	Keith Ashton – 033 239 5023	R18 entrance fee
4-Mar					keimarg@iuncapped.co.za
Sat-Sun	CAMPING & CHALETS	2	12Km on Sat	MIDDELDRIFT – 24Km from Mooi River on the way to Greytown. Camping and chalet accommodation on the banks of the Mooi river. On Saturday walk to the top of the ridge for spectacular views of the surrounding area. A shorter walk on Sunday to Zulu Falls, 2nd highest falls in KZN.	Darrell Munday – 072 743-8863	Camping R50 pppn
10-11 Mar			7Km on Sun		darrellmunday@greytown.co.za	Chalet R110 pppn
Sat-Sun			12Km	BUSHMAN'S NEK - Backpacking to & overnight in Sherry Cave (new) – the hike is a similar route to Whyte's Cave but we will do variations & also visit Bushmen's paintings. Spectacular views from cave. As access to the cave is along a ledge & there is a drop of many metres in front of the cave it is not suitable for children. Sleeping space is also limited. "Combined weekend with Mountain Backpackers Club".	Keith Ashton – 033 239-5023	R45 pp
17-18 Mar	CAVE	3	each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za	incl. entry & levies
Tues	CLUB NIGHT			SPEAKER  - If you know of someone with an interesting story let us know. UPCOMING ACTIVITIES – Leaders will present photo show and answer questions for the upcoming hikes in the next quarter. Meet at Church of the Ascension Hall, Brindy Road, Hilton at 7:30. Refreshments will be served from 7:00.
20-Mar
Sat-Sun	CAMPING	2	8-10Km	PARK RYNIE @ Rocky Bay Caravan Park - Camp sites right on the coast. Day hikes to Pennington Tea Garden and Vernon CrookesNature Reserve. Or just chill-out & relax - swim in the pool or in the sea - explore the rock pools - have a social braai or indulge with a restaurant meal.	Bushy Kirby – 083 757-2660 bushchip@mweb.co.za	R97 pppn
24-25 Mar			each day
28-Mar	TRAIL	3	54Km	WHALE TRAIL - This awesome hike through the De Hoop Nature Reserve near Cape Agulhas over 5 days takes you over the Potberg Mountain with its colourful fynbos onto coastal cliffs and a 28 km hike along the pristine coastline = spectacular scenery. The environment is of special ecological interest and an exceptional hiking experience with clean and comfortable accommodation. Option of not carrying a backpack. Fully suscribed but you can put yoour name on the standby list.	Teresa Whitfield – 082 374-1793 tkc@hiltoncollege.com	R1050 pp
Sat-Sun	MOUNTAIN HUT	3		GIANTS CASTLE -  overnight in Bannerman's Hut. Return route optional depending on the group. Hut only takes 8 people - early booking required. Evemvelo requires deposit with booking, Last booking required by 14 March so the hut can be booked.	Dave Sclanders  082  443-4287	R45 pp for overnighting in the hut, share fuel expenses
31Mar-1Apr
ADVANCE NOTICE
GRADINGS OF HIKES				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.
				6. Advise the leader of any medical condition prior to any hike & carry the necessary medication - The leader will not administer First Aid.
				7. Carry your medical aid, doctor and close family friend contact details in your backpack at all times.