Sorry, for the mess-up with last weeks title :)  (Never do email while you are tired :)

LAST LAST WEEKEND

I apologise, I did not manage to get a write up on Errol's hike before I sent last week’s newsletter out.  So here it is:

Errol led a walk through Kloof Gorge on Sunday morning, which was good fun and had great weather. We started at the main picnic site and went along the top of upper edge of the gorge, which has some breathtaking views.  A bit further, along we were lucky to see a young Crowned Eagle on a huge nest in a tree below us.  Making our way down to the river we did a bit of bouldering in a crack in the valley side, but decided to continue on further as the rock was quite dirty. Once in the riverbed, we relaxed on a large slab of rock and had lunch.  After some exploration Paul found a great bouldering rock upstream, and we spent the next hour trying out a number of great routes. We left the river at about 12pm and were back at the car park by 12:35

LAST WEEKEND

On Saturday, we went to climb at Rumdoodle, which is a climbing area in Kloof Gorge.  I met a number of climbers at the main gate to university, and we had to go up in two cars.  Most of the climbers could be classed as beginners, although they are slowly heading onto the grand title of intermediates, but they still have some way to go :)

Rumdoodle is a really nice place to go as you climb in a large overhanging crack which means it gets direct Sun only about one hour each day, and is thus cool most the day.  The walk in on the other hand is a bit longer than most even if it is a relatively flat 2 km.  There are only two ways into the area abseil or go down a scary scramble.  (Well it is not too scary just difficult with backpacks on).  Most everyone chose to abseil.  It has been a long time since I have seen so many nervous looking people :)  The abseil was not the most user friendly around, as it is difficult to get over the edge safely, this is what caused most the grief, besides the vicious killer ants trying to eat everyone (especially Vicki).  When we were all busy getting down some climbers arrived from UNP mountain club, so it got a bit crowded.  We set up on all the easy climbs and everyone climbed well if a little off route at times.  There are a few tricky moves on the two more difficult routes, which caused people to think.  All round it was a good day at the crags, with much fun being had by all.  And to those who went, yes climbers sit around allot :)   The most difficult grade of the easy climbs was a 17, although as 17's go it is a tricky one.  Most of the beginners even tried fake leading a route on top rope, as an introduction to full leading routes.  (Leading is To ascend a climb from the bottom up, placing protection (or clipping protection) as you go, and is usually what you aspire to in climbing.).  We finally left the crag at around 17h00 and trudged back to the cars, feeling tired and hot, but happy.

Sunday was less successful :)   There was a mountain bike ride at Steinbank (which is a nice place to have a day hike).  Many people were busy so it was only some of the usually non-club riders that came.  We though that there was no one on the walking trail and went down that, but there was a large work party cleaning the river of rubbish which included the warden :).  We are not supposed to ride on the walking trails (but they are so nice :) however we have an understanding that if there are no walkers we sort are allowed to.  Well we all obeyed the International Mountain Biking rules and dismounted when there were people one the path all two of them.  Then we guiltily went back to the easy cycle trail and stayed there.

THIS WEEKEND

On Sunday the 11th of March, there is a climbing meet at Shongweni Reserve.  As usual, I will wait by main gate at 8h00 until 8h20 for people who do not know the way.  I cannot give too many people a lift as I have a Beetle and I carry all the gear.  If you need a lift, try speaking to me as soon as possible.  Shongweni Dam is about 40km inland, and is a nature reserve, so there are the usual animals etc, however you do have to pay about R10 to enter.  The walk to the climbing area is about 500m some of which is down a hill.  The climbing has shade most of the day and there are plenty trees to hide under.  There is a wide selection of bolted climbs, some of which are good to start leading on.  It is a nice place to just sit and arb as well.

NEWS

The Boven trip is on a first cone first served basis.  Please if you want to go get you name on the list ASAP as I need to book vehicle/s soon.  The trip will be tentatively from the 9th to the 15th April.  The accommodation is camping with toilets and hot showers (very nice in winter these).  The cost will be about R400 (accommodation, your own food etc).  You can phone, email, or speak to me (Allan) at OMSH.  So far it is: 

There are five more place left if we get both university Ventures.  So, get on the list.

HIKE IN JULY / AUGUST.  Errol is currently booking for the Emoyeni Hiking trail, which is a five-day trail along the Eastern Shores of the St. Lucia Wetland Park.  Dates are 29 July to 2 August.  This trail is the probably the only one in South Africa where one can walk ‘self-guided’ through ‘Big Three’ country where hikers have the opportunity to see leopard, buffalo and black rhino.  In addition, lots of crocs and hippos can be seen in the lake.  The cost is about R260 including petrol, but excluding food.  Please contact Errol if you are interested (errol-d@usa.net ; 082 3558867)- Get your name down soon.  R100 deposit secures a place. 

Mark the Climbing Official from MCSA has mentioned that the book "Oceans of Fear" is available at R120, Email me if you are interested and I will pass on his contact details.

Our website:

http://members.freemail.absa.co.za/mountain_club/

BTW if anyone wants to be removed from this list please email me.

Yours

Allan Pietersen (Chairperson UNDMC)