May/June 2020, Issue No. 10, Vol 1 FAGALA VOET NEWS

WANDER WHERE THE WIFI IS WEAK I'm so excited, I just can't hide it... I'm about to hike, hike, hike and I know I like it

We are soooo excited, hiking will commence soon...

Hiking will commence on level 3

We are so excited to finally start hiking again. We missed a hiking shoe funeral by a hair as they thought I died. With the President's speech on 24 May 2020, we are so happy to say get those hiking shoes on, grab that bag, don't forget the mask, fill the car, petrol and diesel is extra cheap and get in your car and go hike, hike, hike.

You should go hike so much, you should start forgetting passwords. We are open and ready for your bookings, we miss your thousands of questions and small talk. FOLLOW US ON We cannot wait for those phone calls, whatsapps and sms's. The owners has FACEBOOK informed me that the trails have been cut clean, markings have been updated and all accommodation is disinfected and all precautions has been taken. To keep updated on what trails are open, Their is however a bit of confusion around what is allowed and what is not, so we follow our Facebook have taken a few points from an article posted in the Getaway as well as points page. from the President's speech.

PROTOCOLS OF TOURISM T H E D O ' S A N D D O N ' T S

Please Read!!

The info supplied below has been taken from sources: Getaway Online Magazine South African Government Website

– The risk of transmission as a result of travelling between provinces. Clearing The Air Only people visiting accommodation establishments in Confusion says... private vehicles or car hire vehicles may cross provincial borders and to travel from home to and from an As the country is slowly making its way out of accommodation establishment, proof of booking must be lockdown, the tourism industry is preparing to carried. reopen. Going on vacation, hopping aboard a flight and staying at a hotel will look quite – A designated COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer. different in the future, however. The guideline Each operating business and/or premises will designate a includes a pledge that all CEO’s, general COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer. In a small business this managers, or owners of businesses that open for will be the owner or manager, while in medium businesses operation during the COVID-19 will have to it will be an additional role taken on by a manager, and undersign. large businesses should consider appointing a dedicated officer. The safety protocols address the following: For the ful guideline here, please follow link: https://theplanner.guru/wp- Persons at higher risk content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-19-Protocols-for-Tourism- Persons above 65 years of age may be asked not Industry-Operations-Revised-190520202.pdf travel to visit hotels, lodges and B&Bs, while persons between the ages of 60 and 65 years and https://www.gov.za/speeches/president-cyril-ramaphosa- persons with underlying health issues are developments-south-africa%E2%80%99s-risk-adjusted- recommended not to do travel either. strategy-manage-spread TAKING BOOKINGS FOR We are excited to announce that we are now taking bookings for

MOORDENAARS KAROO / BUFFELSRIVIER ROETE “Spend time in the wilderness – places where landscape and sky overwhelm you – and you start to change. In the city you’re caught in a rat race and you’re fighting to maintain ego. But in the wilderness you can lose your sense of self. You start realising that you are just a tiny cog in an enormously complex system. Your perspective changes and you identify less with your little ego and your little drama. That’s the inner journey. But of course your literal journey brings other kinds of discovery. Spend enough time in the wilderness and, in addition to the landscape and scenery, you might find old artifacts, or come across caves covered in paintings. You might find that, even though you have no knowledge of what it’s all about, you have a strong emotional reaction to the wide open spaces we call wilderness.” – Craig Foster (My heart stands in the hill, 2005) On this trail you only carry your day pack with light lunch and drinks. All other Spend time in the Wilderness necessities and camping equipment are Spend time in the wilderness – places where landscape and sky transported daily to the next overnight overwhelm you – and you start to change. In the city you are caught stop. Breakfast, lunch, and delicious in a rat race and you are fighting to maintain ego. But in the dinners are guaranteed around a cozy campfire, star gazing with the intense wilderness, you can lose your sense of self. You start realising that silence of the Karoo. you are just a tiny cog in an enormously complex system.

The Days Hike for 6 days in the Karoo’s own canyon, the Buffelsrivier, and be enchanted by the fauna and flora, geology, and history of the epic Day 1: river where it flows through distant farms in the Moordenaarskaroo. 12.6km The Moordenaarskaroo roughly lies between Laingsburg, Merwevill and Sutherland and forms part of a natural ‘kom’ which is the Day 2: 16km Buffelsrivier collection point is. On 25 January 1981, the

Buffelsrivier causes one of ’s biggest natural disasters Day 3: in history, the Laingsburg Flood, a direct result of heavy rains in the 17km Moordenaarskaroo. Day 4: 15.2km The hike begins 700m above sea level near Laingsburg and ends on 1712m above sea level on top of the Komsberg, South of Day 5: Sutherland, where the Buffelsrivier originate. You hike an average 21.4km of 16km per day in mostly riverbeds, and/or the veldt, with a total distant of 94km. Day 6: 12km

Day 7: Everybody leaves back to Lainsburg.

MOORDENAARSKAROO/BUFFELSRIVIER TRAIL PAGE 04 servings: 12 | calories: 163 | cooking time: 0 min | weight: 37 gr

C A T E G O R Y : D A I R Y - F R E E , H I G H - E N E R G Y , Corn flake S N A C K S , V E G A N , V E G E T A R I A N C H O I C E N U T R I T I O N I N F O : C A L O R I E S : 1 6 3 , P R O T E I N : 1 . 9 G , energy bars C A R B S : 2 2 . 5 G , F A T : 8 . 1 G , S U G A R S : 1 4 . 5 G , S O D I U M : 5 7 M G

Y O U ' L L N E E D : 1 C U P P I T T E D D R I E D D A T E S 3 C U P S C O R N F L A K E C E R E A L , S L I G H T L Y C R U S H E D 1 / 2 C U P S H E L L E D S U N F L O W E R S E E D S , U N S A L T E D 1 / 4 C U P C A N O L A O I L 1 B A R D A R K C H O C O L A T E ( 7 0 % C A C A O ) ( A B O U T 1 0 0 G ) , B R O K E N I N T O C H U N K S

at home: Line a 25 x 20 cm (8 x 10 inch) baking dish with parchment paper. Pulse dates in a food processor until you get a sticky paste. Transfer date paste to a large bowl. Add corn flakes, sunflower seeds, and canola oil; stir until well combined. Press corn flake mixture into prepared baking dish. Melt chocolate and pour over, spreading evenly. Cool to room temperature; then refrigerate about 2 hours, or until firm. Remove slab from baking dish, cut into 12 bars. Wrap each bar in waxed paper or aluminum foil. Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one month, until you are ready to put them in a your backpack. backpacking fitness

3 Exercises to Prevent Back and Shoulder Pain

Those familiar aches that arise from hauling a heavy pack can force you into bad posture and take all the fun out of hiking. Fight load fatigue by strengthening the muscles that surround your spine, hips, and shoulders. Info credit: backpacker.com

Torso Rotations Kettle potato chip bells Tic-toc Engage your core in multiple This exercise trains you to Develop your postural muscles, planes to simulate moving over breathe properly while which help resist the backward uneven terrain.Reps: 10 per side activating your load-carrying pull of a weighted pack.Reps: muscles.Reps: 8 to 10 per side Sets: 3. 1. Grab a pair of 20 Sets: 3. 1. Lie on your kettlebells, starting with a Sets: 1 to 31. Sit on a firm bench stomach, resting your head in a comfortable weight and building or plyo box (your knees should comfortable position. Reach up as you get stronger to a make right angles). Grab a behind you and touch the backs combined amount that's slightly dumbbell that feels of your hands together (or as heavier than your overnight pack. challenging, but won’t close as you can get) over your compromise your form (10 to 30 2. Stand with your feet a few lower back, with your thumbs inches apart, knees slightly bent. pounds). Orient the weight up. 2. Engage your core Tuck your tailbone under you so front to back. Set your feet hip- muscles and raise your hands that your pelvis is in a neutral and width apart, distributing the away from your sacrum as high weight evenly on your sit bones level position. 3. With your palms and feet. Check that your pelvis as your shoulders allow. Lift your facing in, use momentum from is not tilted.2. Lift the weight legs off the ground a few the kettlebells to swivel at the directly overhead, arms nearly inches, keeping your knees spine until your shoulders are straight. As you exhale, lean straight. Raise your head facing 90˚ to the right. Return to slowly to the left, as far as you slightly, eyes focused forward. center, and twist to the left. Stand can without tilting your pelvis. 3. Hold for 5 seconds. Release tall and rotate only above the On the inhale, return to center, and rest for 3 to 5 seconds waist. before repeating. and repeat to the right. LEVEL 3 DAY TRAILS

FREEDOM IS AROUND THE CORNER Some of our day trails will open in their own provinces

Mpumalanga: Gauteng: Bermanzi Hiking Trail - Machadodorp Sable Ranch Hiking Trail - Hekpoort - Pet friendly - Leashed Blou Wildebeest Hiking Trail - Badplaas - Pet friendly - Windy Brow Hiking Trail – Cullinan Leashed De Wildt Adventure Trails - Hartbeespoortdam/ Kranskloof Hiking Trail - Carolina - Pet friendly - Leashed Ezemvelo Nature Reserve – Bronkhorstspruit Queen Rose Hiking Trail - Baberton Made on Earth Trails - Coming Soon - No info as yet - Watch Mount Komati River Lodge - Machodorp/Badplaas this space - Hartbeespoortdam/Pretoria Suikerboschfontein Hiking Trail – Carolina Zongorroro Hiking Trail - Waterval Onder - Pet friendly - Limpopo: Leashed Stamvrug Hiking Trail - BelaS Beala ble Ranch Ribbokkloof Eco Farm and Hiking Trail - Middelburg Rhenosterpoort Hiking Trail - Alma/Thabazimbi Thabaphaswa Mountain Sanctuary – Potgietersrus - Pet Freestate: friendly - Leashed Deelfontein Hiking Trail - Parys Lindani Lodge and Hiking Trail - Waterberg Baskop Hiking Trail - Parys Lesoba Guest Farm and Hiking Trail – Fouriesburg North West: Mosemane Guest Farm and Hiking Trail – Rosendal Milorho Lodge and Hiking Trail – Cannibal hiking Trail - Clarens B’sorah Tented Camp and Hiking Trail – . Holhoek Hiking Trail - Only during the weekend, no weekend hikes (it's hunting season) - Paul Roux Thabo Thaba Nature Reserve – Ficksburg - Pet friendly - Leashed Langberg Breakaway and Hiking Trail - Vrede Vredefort Metoerite Day Trails - Parys SABLE RANCH HIKING TRAIL

Some of our day trail owners are opening their day trails in their own provinces.

SABLE RANCH HIKING TRAIL

Hekpoort, Gauteng

Sable Ranch is situated just off the R96 close to Hekpoort in the Magaliesburg mountain region. Being only 70km away from Johannesburg, this trail is an easy escape for the entire family to enjoy a day out in nature. It is open on weekends and public holidays.

This trail is open on weekends and public holidays, and showcases the countryside just outside Hekpoort, which lies on the slopes of the breath- taking Magaliesburg Mountain.

Beauty: 3/5 (Never ending mountain views in typical Magalies Scrubland) Difficulty: 3-5/10 (Easy walk but steep in places; different trails are available for all fitness levels) Technical rating: Standard trail walking with some loose terrain underfoot and the odd steep slope.

No trail maps are available yet, but Marilie will explain trails in detail and the trails are extremely well marked so there’s no fear of getting lost. We opted to do the 8km hike, but there is also a 12km trail available.

The first part of the trail is a beautiful stone paved road which then becomes a wide scraped trail of loose rock and sand. The trail begins with a steady uphill, around 2.5km, which gives the calves a great workout. The rocks are pretty loose and slippery throughout the trail and one needs to keep an eye on your steps to avoid slipping and falling. WINDY BROW HIKING TRAIL

Some of our day trail owners are opening their day trails in their own provinces.

WINDY BROW HIKING TRAIL

Cullinan/Pretoria, Gauteng

The variety of hiking & mountain bike trails on Windy Brow game farm is a delight for all outdoor enthusiasts, from beginners to the most experienced. The farm used to form part of the bigger farming unit of Elandsfontien where the famous Cullinan Diamond (3106 carats) was discovered.

From the top of the hills, one has beautiful views of Pretoria. The Premier Diamond Mine now known as (Petra Diamond mine) and the Magaliesberg range. The flora on Windy Brow is remarkable; no fewer than 48 tree species have been identified and marked.

Choices of trail lengths: Archaeology Route – 4.5km – Least climbing Geology Route – 3.3km – Shortest with some climbing Ecology Route – 5km – Longest with some climbing

Degree of difficulty: Easy – average DE WILDT ADVENTURE TRAILS

Some of our day trail owners are opening their day trails in their own provinces.

DE WILDT ADVENTURE TRAILS

Hartbeespoort, Gauteng

Imagine a space where you can become one with nature and take in the beautiful surrounds of the Magaliesberg Mountain just the place to recharge your soul.

De Wildt Adventure Trails are situated pproximately 30 minutes from Pretoria and 45 minutes from Johannesburg close to .

The Trial Options:

1. Maze Runner 2. Picnic Hike 3. Pensioners Hike 4. Jungle Hike 5. Kiepersol Hiking Trail 6. Groenklip Hiking Tour 7. Silkaatnek Hiking Tour 8. Horensnek Hiking Tour 9. Nek to Nek Hiking Tour 10. Vasbyt. Weekend Hiking Tour EZEMVELO NATURE RESERVE AND HIKING TRAIL

Some of our day trail owners are opening their day trails in their own provinces.

EZEMVELO NATURE RESERVE AND HIKING TRAIL

Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng

Ezemvelo Nature Reserve is the hidden beauty of Gauteng. Located a mere hour’s drive from OR Tambo International airport and 45 minutes from Pretoria, it is easily accessible by all.

Trails:

Ochna Trail: Walk through grassland and small koppie. 4km (1h − 1h30), Easy

Protea Trail: Walk through grassland, small koppie, rocky area, new burnt area. 14.6km (3h30), Easy (except for a steep part down a kopie, where the rocks can be loose)

Burkea Trail: Walk through grassland, small kopie, rocky area, edge of rocky kopie. 21km (4h30 − 5h), Tough (long and the part North of the reserve on the side of the kopie can be tricky) FAGALA VOET FACEBOOK PAGE P L E A S E L I K E O U R F A C E B O O K P A G E

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