MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB FIXTURE LIST:   JAN - MAR 2013 (revised 02/01/2013)
DATE	TYPE	GRADE	APPROX. DIST.	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES	LEADER & CONTACT DETAILS	APPROX. COST
Sun 6 Jan	BEGINNERS' HIKE	2	10 km	MPUSHINI CONSERVANCY- It could be a hot day so we will meet on Pope Ellis Drive at the Ashburton interchange at 6:30. A morning stroll through the thornveld to a rest stop with spectacular views across the uMngeni valley to Table Mountain in the distance. Finishing back at Impala Bend with cold refreshments on the deck.	Brian Henwood - 082 655 6359 or brian@hn.co.za	R 15 donation to  the Mpushini Conservancy
Sun 13 Jan	DAY HIKE	2	12- 15 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 - 082 846 6179	R 20 Entrance fee
					keimarg@iuncapped.co.za
Tues 15 Jan	SOCIAL EVENING			SOCIAL EVENING : Learn all about the fun game called 'geo-caching'. All you need is a GPS or a friend with a GPS. Annie will give us all the information we need to know about operating a GPS to find the sites. Great fun - and you can even get hooked!	Annie Waterhouse                       072 095 8610	No charge
Sat - 19 Jan	DAY HIKE	2-3	12 km	MBONA - Casual hike through indigenous forest with awesome views over surrounding landscape. We will also test our skills at geo-caching. Bring costume, plenty of water & lunch.	Joan Templeton	R 20 per person
					033 3433698
Sat - Sun       26 - 27 Jan	TENTING WEEKEND	3	12 +13 km	GIANT'S CASTLE - combined hike with Mountain Backpackers. From Giants Castle main camp via Oribi Ridge, past old vulture hide to burnt out Giant's Hut; return via middle Ridge.  This hike has not been done for many years. Great veiws of Giant's Castle. Tents needed as the hut is burnt out. Book before 22 January.	Dave Sclanders - 082 443 4287 or bergfree@absamail.co.za	R 45 entrance fee.
Sun               3 Feb	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 accommodation available in 4 cottages.	John Fourie – 072 871 1252	R30 pp donation
Sat - Sun	MOUNTAIN HUT		10-15 km	COBHAM - Mzimkhulwana Hut - Backpacking to & overnight in the hut - Part of the Giant's Cup Trail - Hut has bunk beds with matresses - flush toilets & showers    (cold water) - relatively easy hike for first time backpackers - lovely area - chance to explore other areas from the hut - Book early to secure booking. Backpackers.	Keith Ashton - 082 846 6179	R75 pp
9 -10 Feb		3	each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za
Sat - Sun	BEGINNERS' CAVE	2-3	8 km	CYPRUS CAVE – Hike from Mkhomazi Parks Board office and stay overnight in the cave. Only a 4Km walk to the cave – ideal for first time backpackers.	John Fourie – 072 871 1252	R45 pp
16-17 Feb
Sat - Sun	COTTAGE WEEKEND	2	20 + 8 km	THE SPINNEY - Very comfortable, well appointed self catering cottages in the Inzinga Valley with swimming in mountain streams, walks in the beautiful Mkomazi Wilderness area.  Saturday 20km moderate hike to MacKenzies Cave.  Sunday 8km hike to Cyprus Cave.  Numbers limited.	Mary Clover   0837006199 mnellist@telkomsa.net	As per quote
16-17 Feb
Sun 24 Feb	BEGINNERS' HIKE	2	12 km	RICHMOND - Circular day hike near Byrne Village starting from Minerva Heights farmhouse.  Meet leader at Byrne Church adjacent to the entrance to the Oaks Hotel.	Bushy Kirby         083 757 2660   bushchip@mweb.co.za	No charge
Sat - Sun    23 - 24 Feb	CAVE	3	24 km	KAMBERG - combined hike with Mountain Backpackers. Circular hike to Sinclairs Cave. Great veiws of the southern berg , and rock art. Good hike for first time hikers. Cave only has space for 7 people so late entrants may need to bring tents. Opportunity to explore other caves in the afternoon. Book before 19 February.                                                                                                                          Last bookings  19 FebruaryHike in this beautiful area near Rosetta 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	R 45 entrance fee.
Fri - Sun               1-3 Mar	COTTAGE WEEKEND	1	2 x 6 km	NTSEKENI NATURE RESERVE - On a high plateau between Creighton and Franklin, this reserve is a place of wafting grassland and prolific flowers, inviting relaxed hiking, mountainbiking and birdwatching. Ntsekeni Lodge has four comfortable chalets fully serviced and a large well-equipped central dining area with self-catering facilities. A cheaper option are the squaredavels and chalets for groups of up to 20.  Climb Ntsikeni Peak or take an easy stroll around the vlei.	Bushy Kirby         083 757 2660   bushchip@mweb.co.za	Ntsikeni Nature Reserve  R 165 pppn.
Sun                 10 Mar	DAY HIKE	3	15 km	BULWER MOUNTAIN - Park vehicles at Mountain Park Hotel and walk to the top of Bulwer mountain where the hunks and their hang gliders hang out.	Brian Henwood – 082 655 6359  brian@hn.co.za	No charge
Sat 16 Mar	MORNING HIKE	1	8 km	MIDMAR DAM - Walk around the dam followedby a swim and braai.	Christie Exall   083 233 1998	R 20 pp entrance fee.
Sat - Sun       16 - 17 Mar	BEGINNERS' CAVE HIKE	3	20 km	HIGHMOOR - Combined hike with Mountain Backpackers. Hike 4 kms to Aasvoelskranz cave; then day packs to Mount Lebanon on Saturday. Sunday hike to Caracal cave and Fultons Rock . Limited cave space , so book early to secure your place. Bookings close 12 Mar.	Dave Sclanders - 082 443 4287 or bergfree@absamail.co.za	R 45 pp entrance fee.
Thurs-Sun	CAMPING	3	Optional	MONK'S COWL CAMPSITE near Champagne Castle Hotel -  Popular KZN Wildlife campsite with hot showers. Hike to Drak Sun and zip line via Mary's Cottage or to Blindmans Corner via the Sphinx and down Keartland Pass. Note: Thurs 21 is public holiday so early booking is essential.	John Fourie – 072 871-1252	Camping R85 pppn
21-24 Mar
Thur-Sun	COTTAGE	2-3	12 -15 km	DRAKENSBERG GARDENS - (3 nights inc public hol) 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 - Hot baths & showers - with Mountain Backpackers.	Keith Ashton – 082 846 6179	R240 total per person
21-24 Mar			each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za	Book early to secure
Fri	BEGINNERS' HIKE	2	8 - 10 km	DARGLE/MPENDLE – Satori Guest Farm, about 30 km from Piggly Wiggly, views of the back ofNhlazane and trout dams; ideal for hiking and birdwatching in the indigenous forest. Morning hike followed by a light wholesome lunch served in an interesting owner-built thatch and straw bale guesthouse.	Christie Exall	R 50 for hike and light lunch.
29 Mar					083 233 1998
ADVANCE NOTICES
Sat-Mon	MOUNTAIN HUT		12-15Km	BUSHMAN'S NEK-  Short (one km) backpacking to Bushman's Nek Hut for a two-night stay - public hol on Mon. - Beautiful day hikes from this base to see waterfalls, bushmen's paintings, caves & lovely pools for swimming. Hut has lockable rooms with bunk beds & mattresses + flush toilets & showers (only cold water but no problem) - Option to also stay 3 nights - i.e. inc Fri - Combined hike with Mountain Backpackers.  Please book early to secure place.	Keith Ashton – 033 239-5023	2 Nights R150 total - 3 nights R225 total (i.e. R75 pppn)
15-17 June		2-3	each day		keimarg@iuncapped.co.za
					Cell 082 846-6179
11-25 Jul 13	TRAIL	4		MONT BLANC - Allison Gunning is planning a most interesting hike around this well-known landmark. If interested please contact Alison for more details.	Allison Gunning  082 655 6359
20 and 22 August 2013	TRAIL	2	54km with slackpacking	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 along the pristine coastline. An exceptional hiking experience with clean and comfortable accommodation. Fully taken, only standby list.	Brian Henwood      082 655 6359           or brian@hn.co.za	R1 590 pp plus airfare and car hire, or whatever
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.