MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB {go hiking} NEWS Volume 3 Number 17 22 March 2017 www.gohiking.co.za

”L Life was meant for good friends and Next Social great adventures” 21 March 2017 QUEST FOR ADVENTURE

By competing in the WORLD'S COOLEST MARATHON ®, the North Pole Marathon ®, you can become one of a truly select few to race at the top of the world - at the Geographic North Pole. And you will feel on top of the world when you manage to overcome the extreme sub-zero temperatures to finish 42.195km (26.2 miles) in one of the remotest parts of the planet.

But first you must ask yourself if you have got the nerve and drive to travel to the North Pole and run on Arctic ice floes, with 6 to 12 feet separating you from 12,000 feet of Arctic Ocean? Can you handle the extreme cold? Are you fit enough? Do you want to push yourself to the edge? If the answer is yes, then you are ready for the North Pole Marathon. Join race director Rich- ard Donovan, the first marathoner at both the North and South Poles, in a trip of a lifetime. Re- member, this marathon is not run on land - it is run 'on' water, frozen water, in the high Arctic Ocean. You will never have a greater adventure marathon story. http://www.npmarathon.com/

CONTENTS QUEST FOR ADVENTURE; CHAIRMAN’S CHIRP; GREAT WALL MARATHON; WE HIKED TO: BUSHMAN'S NEK HUT, "THE AMBERS", BUFFELSBOSCH, CARACAL CAVE, FORT NOTTINGHAM; YOUR OUTDOOR CARTOONS, LIBRARY & MOVIES.

MIDLANDS HIKING CLUB COMMITTEE Chairman: Alistair Nixon ([email protected] Vice-Chairman: Peter Comrie ( [email protected]) Treasurer: Sue Rowley ( [email protected]) Secretary: Cathy Nixon ([email protected]) Webmaster : Rod Hart ([email protected]) Membership Manager: Peter Rippon ([email protected]) Newsletter Editor & Activities Manager: Brigitta Simpson ([email protected])

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GO TO: www.gohiking.co.za Chairman’s Chirp by Alistair Nixon

Without grapes there would be no wine! Without hikes there would be no Midlands Hiking Club!

I’ve watched the hiking schedule for the next quarter being compiled. It is an anxious time as the deadline looms and there are a few free hike days still available. What it has made me realise is there is a core of leaders who, every quarter, give without reward (and sometimes praise) their leadership and experience for our hiking pleasure.

I would like to encourage members who are interested in becoming hike leaders to feel free to chat to our expereinced leaders to get them going. The more the merrier.

Dave's Hiking Tip With the Easter holidays fast approaching, and all the schools in the country on holiday at the same time, the berg camps and caves will be very busy. Do your bookings early, and if you decided to hike on the off chance that the cave or hut might be empty, go prepared to tent, somebody may be there ahead of you, then where do you sleep? Also carry your booking papers with you, if someone is there on the off chance, they may leave without a fight if you can prove you have booked, or you may have to leave if they have booked.

ALWAYS GO PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED

EEEditor’sEditor’s Note Welcome Hiking is always an adventure, es- pecially if one incorporates running Mala Kishuna into your hiking world. Participat- Dusty Shaw ing in the Artic marathons is truly Royanda Omar inspiring, not to mention the Great Denise Maclachlan Wall of China. For those of us who keep to our steady hiking shedule locally, we most certainly experience every Next Social hike is a lovely adventure.

Keith Ashton would agree, yes? Adventurous hiking! Brigitta 16 MAY2017

Page 2 GO TO: www.gohiking.co.za Great Wall Marathon

The Great Wall Marathon is an annual marathon race held in May along and on the Huangyaguan or Huangya Pass (Chinese: 黄崖关; Chinese: 黃崖關; Pinyin: Huán- gyágu ān； Literally: "Yellow Cliff Pass"), Tianjin section of the Great Wall of China East of Bei- jing. Since it first start in 1999, the race has grown to several hun- dred participants. Aside from the main marathon, a half marathon, 10 km and 5 km runs were also held until 2012. 2013 marked the debut of an 8.5 km "fun run", re- placing the 5 and 10 km distances. The course is much tougher than traditional marathons with partici- pants challenged by 5,164 stone steps and many steep ascents and descents. Wikipedia.

Steve and Eleanor Pienaar

Steve and Eleanor Pienaar are passionate about running and travel. They have combined these two passions for an adventure that has taken them across the globe. The Pienaars recently completed their seventh marathons on 7 continents challenge and are the 1st South African couple to accomplish this feat. They have run many marathons in South Africa , including the Comrades ul- tra marathon (Steve has his green number – 10 finishes and Eleanor has her back to back medals – 2 finishes). The Pienaars have also run the New York, London, Great Wall of China, Sydney , Rio de Janeiro and Ant- arctic Ice marathons. They have been married for 22 years and have run all the international marathons together.

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NEW YEAR @ BUSHMAN'S Another beautiful but scorching Twin Rocks" for a group photo and a NEK HUT hot day as we left the hut, luckily with shady rest. Not too long afterwards 30 DEC 16 TO 2 JAN 17 several river crossings to cool our feet & we reached Painters cave where we Report and photos by LEADER soak our hats etc. The first section of the enjoyed lunch and filled our water KEITH ASHTON route follows the Ngwangwane River bottles from the lovely stream below We always have a good turn- up-stream reaching Cedric's Pool after the cave. After our lunch and a well- out for celebrating New Year from about 5 km and this is where the young earned rest, we made our way back, Bushman's Nek Hut and this year family etc joined us increasing our but on reaching an escarpment I sug- was no exception with 16 partici- group size to 22. It was then further on gested another "off the beaten track" pants. Most were staying 3-nights alongside the river before crossing it and route down a rock strewn valley to (allowing for 4 day hikes from this climbing steeply up to "The Gap" for a Langalibalele cave (all of our hardy base) and the rest staying 2-nights short break to take in the scenery all hikers agreed to this for a bit more Our participants were Rose Dix, around, with a good view of "Vast adventure). After a while we reached Anna Kapp, Christa Gadd, Margret Cave" across another valley. From here I Langalibalele cave and did some ex- Kirsten, Saurabh Padwal and two indicated where other bushmen paint- ploring and climbing on the upper other friends from India (all living in ings can be found, but continued along reaches of the cave. Then we explored Johannesburg at the moment and the narrow and partly overgrown scenic some of the beautiful areas towards working on contracts with a cell and rugged route to Mystery cave for a Garden Castle including gullies and phone company), Marie Gurr, well-earned rest in the shade and to view magnificent waterfalls. After this we Neville Walmsley, Rob Krogh, Linda the very good bushmen paintings before returned to the hut for supper, social- de Beer, Inky Daly, Eric Essenwein, having lunch followed by several mem- ising and a rest - again the photos il- Helge Mehrtens (from Germany but bers of our group having a swim in the lustrate our day. working in S.A. at the moment), stream not far from the cave. We then Fourth Day - 2 Jan 2017 - To Margaret & Keith Ashton. Besides took the same way back, quickly build- "Halfway Cave" which is also our group, Steve Stott had phoned ing up a sweat in the scorching sun, but known as "Slab Cave" or me before we left home to ask if he the thoughts of a swim to cool-off in "Fisherman's Cave" & lovely pools. and his young family + brother & Cedric's pool kept most of us in good Some of our group had to wife could join us on a cave hike as spirits but one or two were taking a bit leave fairly early in the morning for they were staying near-by at Silver of strain. However what a joy at reach- home, but the rest of us were to have Streams Caravan/Camping park over ing Cedri'cs pool to frolic in the cool a relatively easy hike which included the festive season, so on the day we water under a lovely waterfall. Then we swimming in "Overhang Cave Pool" hiked to Mystery Cave we had 22 still had another 5 km back to the hut, and the big lovely pool beyond hikers. crossing rivers en-route and making our "Halfway Cave", the cave being First Day 30 Dec 2016 (Climbing & return hike of over 16 km in very hot named because it is half-way to traversing a long lost Jeep track) conditions. At the hut it was cold "Bushman's Cave" . Once inside be- As we had to arrive at Bush- shower time before supper and drinks, hind the big "Slab" (hence this alter- man(s Nek, complete the formalities and New Year's Eve celebrations aptly native name for the cave), I chal- and then backpack to the hut, sort recorded on the photos. lenged anyone in our group to crawl ourselves out and wait for some later Third Day - 1 Jan 2017 - New Years and squeeze into the dark recess of the arrivals, we had lunch at the hut and Day (To Painters Cave & mini-cave within the main cave. then we set off on a scorching hot Langalibalele Cave) Linda de Beer bravely took up the day to first cross the Bushmans As it was very hot again we de- challenge as I explained that I had River, then follow it upstream before cided on an early start at about 07h00, done it several times and she was not crossing it again to climb up the however, several of our group having to be outdone by an old pensioner. route of a very old Jeep track. This already done 1 or 2 hikes the previous Once at the big pool with the gushing track was originally hand-built many days decided on a more leisurely time, waterfall, we spent about an hour frol- years ago to zig-zag upwards to a but obviously still enjoyed themselves icking, cooling-off and getting mas- very high point to allow the building very much. So 9 of our "stronger hikers" sages from the tumbling waves. Here of a look-out hut with sleeping quar- set off up from the hut to join the Giant's we met Philip Grant with two Swiss ters and for the transport of look-out Cup Trail, our route being in the reverse clients returning from "Tarn personnel and re-supplies when the direction with a continuous climbing cave" (first night) and "Bushman's area was under the control of the De- height of about 600 metres and about an Cave" on their second night - the 3 of partment of Forestry. It was aban- 8 km distance to Painters Cave which them joined us for a long swim. doned many years ago as a jeep track has very good bushmen paintings as the After another fantastic hike and later became part of the old Gi- name suggests. In the heat there was with much enjoyment in the pools, we ants Cup Trail before Bushman's Hut much sweating and heavy breathing as returned to the hut, packed our back- was built and the last section of the we climbed higher and higher ,but we packs, said our goodbyes and returned route changed and shortened. This saw many Eland on our route, from a to the car park to drive home after an route now makes a very scenic hiking couple of groups of 4 to a group of over excellent 4 days to celebrate New route but is very rarely used. The 30. We deviated from the trail before Year. photos illustrate this interesting reaching Langalibalele cave to the "off Thanks to everyone in our rou te. the beaten track" picking up some minor group for sharing the time, friendship, Second Day 31 Dec 2016 - New tracks later as we climbed further, even- good humour and camaraderie with Year's Eve (To Mystery Cave con- tually reaching the small rock tarn for us. taining spectacular bushman "upside-down" photos, then on to paintings)

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BUSHMAN'S NEK HUT " THE AMBERS" DAY HIKE descending. Part of this route was 30 DEC 16 TO 2 JAN 17 SUN 29 JAN 017 along the fence-line between Amber Report and photos Ridge and Kwa Wula where we were by Keith Ashton able to view a healthy herd of blue wil- debeest. After exiting Amber Ridge we This hike and venue proved to be re-entered Amber Valley and took a popular with club members. I had very scenic route along a secluded val- over 20 requests but unfortunately, ley (Margaret and I call this the "Serval as per the fixtures, I had to limit the Track" as a serval took up residence numbers to 12 (actually stretched to here for about 3-months and we were 13 as the last two people able to able to see it and photograph it during book were a couple). our regular very early morning walks). It was a beautiful sunny day Part way along this route we had a as our participants arrived at our short rest and snacks next to a little house in Amber Valley at 08h00 and stream and waterfall. We were soon off after all had signed the hike register, again behind the two lovely indoor we were off into the grassland areas heated swimming pools and made our away from all the houses. We were way to the fence-line along Karkloof soon spotting several of our many Road which we followed until we zebra, blesbok, impala, warthog, reached the Amber Valley main gate. duiker and reedbuck. We continued From here we took the perimeter route along the fenceline between Amber alongside the servitude road and Um- Valley and Amber Lee, eventually geni Valley Nature Reserve and even- reaching the bottom corner of Am- tually reached the pedestrian gate be- ber Valley, then it was a steep climb tween Amber Valley and the road to upwards over rough and uneven Amber Lee.(security card entrance ground following the perimeter, still needed here). Then it was up the grass between Amber Valley and Amber alongside the road until we reached the Lee until we reached higher ground main entrance into Amber Lee (again for a brief rest to view the beautiful having to use my security card to gain scenery all around us and into the entry). Once inside Amber Lee, we did distance beyond Umgeni Valley. a complete circumnavigation of the From here we continued climbing property, seeing a couple of Nyala on further, but more gently along the our route which included some quite perimeter between Amber Valley steep and rocky ascents and descents and Kwa Wula; spotting more ani- before we stopped for lunch in a beau- mals in both estates. Eventually we tiful spot under the shade of trees on reached the highest corner point in the banks of a lovely dam. Then it was Amber Valley which is adjacent to onwards to complete our circumnavi- Amber Ridge and at this point we gation of Amber Lee, stopping en- had a rest near the bench which Mar- route to look at the lovely outdoor pool garet and I donated for the benefit of and club house. We eventually re- Amber Valley residents (those of entered Amber Valley and made our course who are able to walk up to way back along the grass to our house this highest point). where we all enjoyed ice cold water It was then a descent down a followed by tea and coffee and Marga- grassy track and eventually along the ret's home made scones with jam, and- grassed wall of the lovely Falcon date cake. Our route distance was Dam which is stocked with trout, 14.25 km and we climbed a total of courtesy of the Amber Valley Fish- 427 meters (these figures being accu- ing Club. After a detour around rately recorded on my Garmin GPS). some other grass tracks, we walked The attached pictures illustrate parts of along the banks of Falcon Dam and our route. Thanks to all those who par- it was pleasing to see many Egyptian ticipated and sorry to those members geese on the water surface with oth- who were too late to secure places. ers checking out one of the round platforms anchored in the dam to provide nesting spots. From here we climbed up to the top fence-line be- tween Amber Valley and Amber Ridge. Shortly afterwards we en- tered Amber Ridge to circumnavi- gate their lovely estate which in- cluded more climbing and

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BUFFELSBOSCH HIKE – SUN- prepared for our departure in the DAY, 19TH FEBRUARY 2017. cars. Report by Libby Deysel; Many thanks to John for the Photos by John Fourie pleasant company and interesting hike. Apologies to Stabhile if I have

spelt her name incorrectly! “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun”, but mad Natalians go hiking in the pouring rain!! Suita- bly kitted out with ponchos, anoraks and umbrellas, ten Midlands hikers Caracal Cave Highmoor Nature Reserve Central Drakensberg namely Stabhile, Heather, Anita, Julie, Debbie, Keith, Margaret, Linda, 25 – 26 February 2017 Report and photos by Dave Sclanders. Eric and Libby met John, our leader, Another weekend of rather unsavoury weather forecasts for the berg, which at Piggly Wiggly at 8.15 am. We again saw to it that a once fully booked hike suddenly had a few gaps. Never- managed to squeeze into two cars to theless, 8 of us met at Highmoor at the appointed time. The weather was beau- drive the short distance to the start of tiful, the Giants Range was clear, and only a touch away and a myriad of small the hike on a farm in the Dargle. flowers waved frantically for attention amongst the tall veld grasses. As we I had imagined some serious crossed the first foot bridge we could see that due to the rains during the week, bundu bashing through long, wet the streams were running and dancing in sparkling white and blue, fast cool grass. However, we were pleasantly and clear. surprised after having walked along a (Unfortunately – I did not notice that my camera setting had changed farm road for a while to be led onto a when I put it back into the bag , so pictures 3 – 8 are fuzzy). Nevertheless, the well-maintained grassy path which scenery was magnificent as far as one could see. A little later as we explored John said had been specially prepared around the old cattle kraal, a huge build-up of menacing and warning bad for us. He did, however, later own up weather clouds appeared over the Giant. Who had been pointing? For those to the fact that the farmer keeps the who do not know, there is an old African legend that says, “If you point at the path mown for his wife to ride her Giant, expect bad weather”. As the lack of drinking water is a problem at Ca- horse. John showed us a stone wall racal cave, we stopped on our way to take on extra water for the rest of the day running for some distance along the and for Sunday. The view of the valley below was right up to Centenary Hut – boundary which Linda correctly iden- if you knew where to look!!. tified as having been built by the Ital- After lunch we went North along an old forgotten path to see where ian Prisoners of War. the cave was that we were to reach the next morning. This cave was unknown, The rain was persistent and I had seen 2 years ago and had planned to come back one day and investigate.. quite heavy at times, but being the We soon saw it down the valley and across the river. It was decided to go eternal optimists we hoped that by 11 down the valley to the river and see if the cave could be accessed from our am the sun might have appeared. side. However, on getting down towards the river, it was apparent that the There was mist on the hill tops, but river valley was very deep and steep, and that some mountaineering with ropes luckily we did not get enveloped by it would be needed to get into the cave from the river bed, or from the top of the and were able to see the views. We ridge above the cave. So, that was that, Sunday was suddenly over. walked through parts of the farm Some hikers decided to head back to the cave, and some decided to where many different species of pro- carry on along the ridge for a while. On the way back, we saw that the Giant teas were growing. There were some and the whole escarpment was now under a threatening rain storm, and as it beautiful Watsonias, Redhot Pokers started to drizzle, the wandering group arrived back at the cave, just in time . and a very delicate, pretty blue flower Well, the rain came, the mist came, the temperature dropped, and very identified by Margaret as an Aristea. soon we were all in our sleeping bags, listening to Margaret rendering We sheltered at snack time in a lapa her version of that old story of “Albert and the Lion”. overlooking Midmar. Next morning we woke to a very heavy misty and wet world. We en- The second part of the hike joyed a slow breakfast, and packed up slowly hoping that the mist might start was through a beautiful indigenous to clear. But nothing changed so it was decided to head for the cars and get an forest. There was a natural spring early start home for lunch. which was the source of water for the It is not much fun hiking in thick mist, the most important point is to farm. We did hear the call of monkeys stay on the path, and not look for short cuts along the way and to keep your in the forest, but they kept out of group close together. sight. There was also a sighting of a As we had hiked out to the cave on a slightly different route on Satur- buck as we left the forest, unidentified day morning, some of the first time hikers felt a bit lost once we joined the as I only had a glimpse of the white path where we had not walk the day before. However, the old cairn on the way under its tail as it ran off into the put a few minds at rest. bush. Having left the forest, we were The noise of the river that we had crossed on the old footbridge back on the muddy road where our was loud in the gloom of the mist, and once on the bridge, the view boots were getting heavier and heav- upstream that had been so pretty the day bveforer, was now a totally different ier with the collection of mud. We setting. passed a large herd of very inquisitive Back at the cars, wet clothes were swopped for dry, soggy boots and Brahman cattle who actually all gath- hiking gear put into plastic bags, stuffed into the car trunks, and we ered at the fence to watch us as we were on our way home.

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GO TO: www.gohiking.co.za We hiked to ...

Fort Nottingham Common sea sheets of rain falling and heading in Caracal Cave our direction. So, after a quick delibera- KZN Midlands Highmoor tion, it was decided to abandon the rest 5 February 2017 25/26 February of the walk and head down back to Els Amics. Raincoats were put on, back Report and photos by packs covered, and we set off. Unfortu- Dave Sclanders . nately, in rainy situations, cameras are

put away so no pictures of us “walking A large group of day hikers booked in the rain” were taken, although I must their spots for this new hike, so much confess that I did not hear anyone so that I had to put some “would be” “singing the rain”. At a point on the hikers onto a waiting list. way down, the rain stopped, so it was The weather on the day was not raincoats off, but a bit later they were good, the long range forecast was not on again. good and it was right. Anyway, we all We arrived back at the cars met at the appointed time and place and early, but wet and cold. Dry clothes had discussed the weather. We decided if it been brought so hasty changes into was ugly, or looked to be ugly, we warm clothes was done, and it was would abort the hike and call an early home for lunch. As we left Fort Not- end to the day, but would give it a go. tingham, the rain really came down and Then a convoy of vehicles set the area we were to have hiked in was off to Fort Nottingham to meet at Roy covered in a very heavy blanket of mist. and Val Tabernor’s restaurant, Els Am- It would not have been much fun to be ics, Fort Nottingham. out there at that time. Cold, rainy, With everyone kitted out, we misty, but hopefully not “where are set off for the forest where a steep we ?” climb up the hill using an old loggers route through the forest towards the summit started. Early going was diffi- cult as the brambles had grown consid- erably in the spring. However, steady progress was made, and soon we were out of the forest and finding our way up a valley covered in tall veld grass, brambles in patches and only the odd antelope track to follow. Considering the overcast weather, the views along the way were great, and the cool air kept the heavy breathing down. The long stretched out line of hikers all en- joyed the walk and chatted away, not really taking into consideration where they were going to or through—it was a happy sight. After crossing a second fence we eased up towards the crest where a tea stop was planned. On the flatter more open, and heavily grazed veld, patches of bright yellow veld flowers made a very colourful statement. We reached the “tea hill” , and sat down for a break, and from here we could see across a long wide valley the clump of trees that I was hoping to get to, to have lunch. However a change in the wind sort of made me change my mind and quickly set us off further up the hill and along the fence-line, and from there we could see into the next valley, and down onto the Spring Grove dam. While looking at the dam, we could see the Kamberg Hill as well as the high berg from Kamberg across towards Lotheni, and the sight was not good. Huge black rain clouds were

Page 7 GO TO: www.gohiking.co.za Ha HAHAHA ha ha HA hAhAhA ha ha HA hA ha ha HA ha hahaha hahaha hahaha YOUR OUTDOOR CARTOONS

What would induce hundreds of people from all over the world to spend thousands of YOUR OUTDOOR LIBRARY dollars each and two weeks of their lives just to run a marathon in Antarctica? Espe- cially one with a reputation as the toughest marathon on Earth? John Hanc may have the answer. When he turned 50 he gave himself the birthday present to end all others--a trip to the end of the Earth to run his most unfor- gettable race. The Coolest Race on Earth is both Hanc’s story and the story of the Antarc- tica Marathon, first held in 1995 and now an annual event that sells out years in ad- vance. It’s full of humor, adventure, and inspiring characters--including a wheel- chair-bound competitor, three record-breaking grandmothers, and an ex-Marine who described the race as “the hardest thing I ever did in my life, next to Vietnam.” Muddy, cold, hilly, the race is by all accounts horrible--up and down a melt- ing glacier twice, past curious penguins and hostile skuas, and finally to a bleak fin- ish line. Even the best runners take longer to run the Antarctica Marathon than any other. Yet the allure of marathon running combined with the fascinating reputation of the Last Continent has persuaded runners to brave a trip across the world’s most turbulent body of water, the Drake Passage, to a land of extinct volcanoes and craggy mountain peaks, lost explorers and isolated scientists, penguin rookeries and whale sightings, all for a chance to run those crazy 26.2 miles. The Coolest Race on Earth brings the world’s most difficult marathon to life in a book that’s not only a ripping read, but also a deeply funny meditation on what makes people run. Amazon. YOUR OUTDOOR MOVIES

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