TYPE:      BACK PACKING

 AREA:      WITBANK

 I wanted to make use of the long weekend and so we decided to revisit this hike, as we have very fond memories (this is the hike we met Nick and the gang on!), it is not too far to travel, and the area is lovely as you meander along the banks of the Wilge and Olifants Rivers.

 As we knew what the terrain was like, I phoned beforehand to check on the level of the rivers and the state of the farm road. I was told the rivers were easily crossable, and the road was better suited to a 4 x 4, but if taken very slowly an ordinary car would be ok. Well we ended up having to swim and wade through chest high very strong flowing water. And this is most definitely not what we would all call easy. Years ago there were cables at the river crossings but these have either been washed away with the floods or just rusted through. The farm road was doable in an ordinary car, travelling almost the whole way in first gear!!

 There has been almost no maintenance done on the trail as well as the camps. We periodically had to wander around looking for trail / foot prints, and the state of the hut at Grootdraai is horrendous. The gutters are all falling down, and they are supposed to be the water supply, as the rain water runs into a large tank for use. The reed walls around the toilet have all fallen over, and the toilet hasn’t been cleaned in forever. The braai area is exactly as it was years ago, except now there is no wood. A very sad looking overnight hut indeed.

 This was a hike we readily recommended to other hikers / clubs, but we would rather tell them to ignore this one from now on. The whole farm actually looks in a bad state of repair.

Golden Reef Road Runners Club, Andrew Street, Horizon

7 for 7.30 pm

Presentation on the Okavango

John Leroy will be giving us a presentation and talk on his and Astri’s “Okavango Experience”, which should prove very interesting. John is an excellent presenter and his photos are amazing. He is a member of our Club so please come along and support him – we hope to see a good turnout (there will be no admission charge). We will serve hot pies and drinks will be available to purchase as always.

Date: Sunday 29 August 2010

Venue:  Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, End of Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort

Time:  08:00

Cost:  R25 for adults, R20 for Seniors and R10 for school children. Please pay your own admission fees and meet us just inside the entrance on the right hand side. The Garden opens at 08:00 and we will start working at 08:30 sharp.

We will walk along the ridge towards Krugersdorp and then come back via the waterfall. There is a picnic concert in the Botanical Garden which starts at 13:00. Make sure you keep your entrance receipt so that you can go out to the car park to collect your picnic baskets and chairs etc when we finish the hike. Joan cannot join us for the hike but she will be coming for the concert and will save us a space under a big tree which is about 50 metres beyond the entrance on the left hand side of the walkway going towards the waterfall.  No braais are allowed – picnics only please.

You do not need you to book just pitch up and join us! Should you need a map and directions, just reply to this email and let me know.

The Johannesburg Youth Orchestra will be performing at the concert – a variety of music from classis to pop.

DATE:      18 – 20 JUNE 2010

TYPE:              BACK PACKING

AREA:      MAKHADO / LOUIS TRICHARDT

Most of the hikers pulled out of this one citing “too far”, but we got away our usual time for a long drive, at about 1pm and reached the hike, even after “Heather” the Garmin took us to the wrong destination, with a fair bit of daylight still left. Turns out not to be that far at all. But then how far is too far!!

A truly beautiful area, there is a bit of walking through the plantations, but most of the time through indigenous forest. The Friday evening Madeleine and Stephen very kindly offered to do a potjie for us. This was divine and we ended up sharing with Jana and Radek, diplomats from the Czech Republic, who we sincerely hope will join us on more hikes. There was no kitchen and no braai wood but these were about the only downers we came across the whole weekend. We once again made alternative arrangements – used the hand basin in the bathroom for washing the dishes.

The overnight hut just sort of suddenly appears out of nowhere and is such a welcome sight. Showering in the freezing water was quite an experience that not all were brave enough to attempt, but most of us took the plunge. And we were then warming ourselves sitting in front of the huge “fireplace” in the middle of the hut. Here there was an ample supply of wood, and we made more than good use of it.

The second days hike is unfortunately a bit of a let down, as you wind your way back down the mountain. The hot shower at the end ALMOST made one forget the icy chill of the one the night before.

The trail was well marked, in good condition, and we all had an enjoyable time.

DATE:      21 – 23 MAY 2010

TYPE:              BASE CAMP

AREA:      FOURIESBURG / CLARENS

We had a nice turn out for this base camp. It is reasonably luxurious and also a very well maintained camp. As the chalets for the trout fishing were not booked, the owner very kindly upgraded us to these, and we were all very grateful for this. All the hikes in the Free State are gorgeous, and this one is no exception. The farm road is well maintained, and presents no problem.

We had our usual Friday evening braai, and due to the winter chills as well as the not too great distance needed to walk the next day, we decided not to leave too early on Saturday morning. The owner runs through the trail the evening before, and we had no problem finding our way, scrambling up the gorge to the top of the mountain, all along the ridge to have a look at the hole in the wall, and finally back down getting back to camp with plenty of time for hot showers and getting the braai fire going.

Sunday saw a few of the hikers doing their own thing and so the party setting off was a fair bit depleted. We started off losing the trail pretty early, but found it again after all doing some serious looking, and later on once we were scrambling up the steep mountain side we totally lost the trail once again, and no amount of searching could produce the lost footprints!! We then decided to have a leisurely rest right on top of the mountain, and just retraced our steps back to a certain point and headed straight back to the camp. Checking with the owner we had ventured too much to the left and should have walked quite a bit more along the ridge before we started the steep climb up.

In conclusion, a thoroughly enjoyable hike, well worth doing.

 TYPE:              BASE CAMP

 AREA:      BRITS

 We were pre-warned about the farm road not being in the greatest of condition, and were advised that we could leave our vehicles at the farm house and the farmer would then transport us and baggage to the camp. And knowing us we decided that we have done enough farm roads to manage anything, but this one was probably the worst we have come across. Poor Estelle did most of the 4 kms alone in her Honda CRV as we climbed out and walked nearly the whole way!

I was under the impression that this was a new camp / hike, that had the Green Flag accreditation, and yet the communal tent was not is a good state, the beds were all rickety and were on brick and rocks. The sleeping tent as well as the kitchen tent were on quite a slope. Some sort of a platform to level these 2 tents would be a good idea. I am just wondering on what criteria the hikes are given the green Flag.

The trail was well marked; the donkey warmed the water, but was too far from the showers and we had to wait at least 10 minutes before the water got hot, the toilets flushed, and there was plenty of wood for us to have a decent fire each evening. A large variety of the trees are name plated and there certainly are many gorgeous trees on this hike.

And then I of course brought Bela home with me (the Jack Russell puppy looking for a home). She is doing well, has fitted in nicely with the rest of my menagerie.

In conclusion, not the greatest hike we have been on – we were very disappointed with the state of the camp.

Golden Reef Road Runners Club, Andrew Street, Horizon

7 for 7.30 pm

Presentation on the Okavango

John Leroy will be giving us a presentation and talk on his and Astri’s recent trip to the Okavango Do join us and remember to dress warmly. Hot soup and rolls will be available to purchase as well as drinks as usual.

Venue:  Suikerbosrand

Time:  Meet in car park at 08:30

Cost:  To be confirmed but please pay your own entrance fee and meet us in the car park.

We will be doing the Bokmakierie Trail, which is 10 km.  (There is also a 4,5 km trail.)  Variety of game, birds and plants to see.  Suikerbosrand is a wonderful example of fauna and flora of the rocky Highveld grassland biome.  If you wish to read more about it, go to www.footprint.co.za/suikerbosrand.htm

Please let Joan know by Friday 25 June if you are joining us –

011 955 1618 / 083 890 4298

joanc@telkomsa.net

The Hanglip Hiking Trail is a beautiful trail. The facilities have been upgraded, and sections have been rerouted to take in more indigenous forest. The trail is well constructed, after 13km the overnight hut is reached. The second day is easier than the first at 7.2km. This trail is well worth doing. Price still to be confirmed.

For bookings for the above weekend hike  please contact

Flo: Cell : 082 785 8165; e-mail : cdc@lantic.net; fax : 086 502 4673