Secretary: Nina Nezura 8418119 (w) or: 073 1463845 NinaN@appletiser.net
Chairman: Ulli Deutschländer 855 5453 (h) 808 3365 (w) or: 0723423615 ugkd@sun.ac.za

Find more about the Mountain Club on the website http://hot.mcsa.org.za, http://mcsa.org.za and in the brand new Website of the UIAA: www.uiaa.ch

Slideshow: Climbing Mexican Volcanoes, Friday 29th February 6h30 for 8pm
Wojtek Przybylowicz will show you how easy it is to climb the two highest Mexican volcanoes: Pico de Orizaba (5630 m) and Iztaccihuatl (5230 m). You will also see stunning rock walls in the Yosemite National Park. Before the slideshow will be a 'Bring and Braai' at Dr Viljoen Thom's house: 10 Arlington Street, Helena Heights. Guests are welcome.
	Pico de Orizaba, Mexico

2008 National Meet ( Minicamp),Wolkberg:
The Johannesburg section will be hosting the annual national meet in the Wolkberg from the 25th of April until the 4th of May 2008. Stay as long as you like, and members can join the meet at any stage. However those attending should plan to join the catered formal dinner on evening of Saturday the 26th of April. Available activities include hiking (day walks to several days), climbing and a guided walk by a prominent horticulturist. Camping facilities include hot water showers, fire wood and toilets. A commemorative T-Shirt and song book will be available. Details from Uschi Magg 011 807 1310 (Tel/Fax); admin@jhb.mcsa.org.za

International Climbing Meet, hosted by Johannesburg Section:
Ulrike is planning another international climbing meet over Easter this year. The meet will run from 15.3.2008 to 24.3.2008. Anyone interested in joining the meet and acting as climbing partner cum guide for our guests or willing to help in any other way, especially with transport between the climbing areas, must please contact Ulrike Kiefer at ukiefer@icon.co.za. More details will be available on the MCSA website.

The membership fees for the year 2008: Single R155 Couple R190 Single over 60 R140 Couple over 60 R170 Junior R130 Newsletter by post R25 Please send your subs with the attached form to MCSA, PO Box 1100, SSW 7129 and we will send you the 2008 sticker for your membership card and the 2006 journal. Members who receive their journal through other sections should subtract R50; the same counts for juniors, who are children of a "Mountain club family". Electronic payment can be done to: MCSA HH Section, Standard Bank , Helderberg Branch 03 30 12 (00), Current Acct No: 07231 0111

Spooknek, Kleinmond

Richard Loos, 14 October

Nine of us set off on the well maintained path above Kleinmond, following the contour along the foot of the Three Sisters Peaks. We stopped frequently to admire the fynbos and the views over the Kleinmond Lagoon and beach. Whales were spotted in Sandown Bay. We took the Perdeberg path which crosses a saddle at the back of the Three Sisters, known as Spook Nek. The path climbs steeply up to a higher saddle and splits left to Perdeberg Peak and right to Highlands. This was our turning point and on regaining Spook Nek, we were surprised to find that the weather had deteriorated quite rapidly and so decided to cut short the planned circular route via Fairy Glen. We retraced our steps with light showers turning to continuous rain for the last twenty minutes, arriving back at the cars at 2pm.

Haelkop Cracks

Ian Thompson, 18th November

It was a very hot day in the Jonkershoek valley, but still the hikers went ahead searching for the Cracks, which are definitive hidden in the dense fynbos on the steep slopes. We clambered around the rocks in the midday heat, searching for these elusive cracks. All the search resulted in was perspiration. I was ready to give up and have lunch in the shade. Then, Nic found one of the cracks, just before all hope was lost. Some of us abseiled into it and found an amazing labyrinth of channels and caves. In the meantime Ulli found us the other cracks. Alvin, Nick and Laura set up a belay point from which several of us and first-timers abseiled into the welcome coolness of the mountain. We built a massive beacon which should guide us next time to the secrecy of those cracks. The hike down was HOT. The thought of a swim in the river below helped though. Some had a quick dip, while the others headed for the tea garden. Where we all met for something cold!

Sneukop Gorge	Ulli D., 25th November
As substitute for the Chipaway hike four of us hiked from the Johnson hut to the Sneukop river and some hundred meters up the gorge. The wind had thrown over several trees in the previous storms and the river was still strong and we created a lot of lovely waterfalls.

Silvermine Rock meet	Alvin Page, 2nd December
It was a lovely day and a large group of climbers that met at the lower Silvermine crag to enjoy the climbing. A well attended, and much enjoyed meet. The first-time climbers had a good introduction, one that shouldn't scare them off for life. Later, in the early afternoon, Ulli took part of the group for a hike to the Elephant's Eye cave. It was a very satisfying day

Table Mountain	Ulli D., 9th December
Two prospective members and some international students were brought up the TM by the India Venster and Fountain ledge route on a very hot day. We watched the rock climbers at Magnetic wall and met many unprepared hikers coming up the Platteklip gorge.

Cederberg Meet

Johann Papendorf, 15 to 17 December

The Cederberg meet was met with an overwhelming number of participants. Even a less than favourable weather forecast could not deter the enthusiastic mountaineers. Members from Stellenbosch, Cape Town and Hottentots Holland were joined by a number prospective and non-MCSA members. Some of the very hard ('ard') rock routes were attempted at the Wolfberg (with spectacular failure) and some of the classic lines were climbed, in spectacular style. The Maltese Cross and the historic Stadsaal were visited, in the midst of the only rainstorm and the only trumpeter in a 50km radius respectively. Extra potjies were borrowed from the land owner and between the blowing of soap bubbles, stretching and discussions concerning the end of civilisation and humankind, potjie kos was cooked for 27 people. The Cederberg meet was ended by extending our Russian swearword vocabulary and the extension of the Russian's Afrikaans swearword vocabulary.

Hangklip to Pringle Bay

Nina Nezura, 30th December

The day was great for this ever so popular walk. This time the party of 10, most of which were Russians (not again!), set out on a perfect and cool morning to Hangklip. On the way there it did drizzle a bit, but this did not scare us. We set off at Maasbaai, following a fisherman's path along the coast. The scenery was fantastic! We encountered many fishermen catching lobsters with nets. On entering the Pringle Bay we had to walk for a while on the road as the coastal path ended in private property, which borders nowadays right at the sea. Later we got back on the beach path which led us to the great beach with the rewarding waves. The water was quite cool but the temperature did not put off the Russians and Ulli from swimming.

Riversonderend/Suicide Kloof and Buchu Kloof	Viljoen Thom, 13th January
It was a cool day in the HH Mountains. Therefore our three small groups did not linger too long in their respective wet and cold kloofs; but still enjoyed the scenery and the excitement of moving actively through such beautiful canyons.

Wolwekloof, Franschhoek

Ulli Deutschlander, 20th January

After many phone calls to find the right person at the Water Dept. allowing us access to the Wolwekloof and the mission to get 14 people from SSWest and Stellenbosch to Franschhoek, our cars finally laboured up a badly eroded, dusty mountain road overlooking the now half full Bergriver Dam. It was a hot Sunday and we did not bundu-bashing and boulder-hopping for too long before we had a rest in the river bed, searching for shade under flowering Wit Els trees. Traveling up the river bed we saw most beautiful scenes of small waterfalls shooting over big boulders and inviting, romantic rock pools. A path, on the southern side above the river, was very overgrown and often lost, but at the end of the valley after some bush whacking we were surprised by two high water falls. It was beautiful watching the stream of sunlit water droplets weaving veil-like in the wind and it was also beautiful to see for the first time this season a few bright orange-red Disas. The big pool was very cold, but for such a hot day just right to refresh us. The Wolwekloof is really a hidden gem with its beautiful vistas of towering rock faces.

SEARCH AND RESCUE:
Dwight Juby is our Rescue Convener. His cell phone Nr: 0844034476

Many searches and rescues were attended the last months.

Contact us if you want to join the Search and Rescue Team training program. You have to be fit, available, responsible, mountain-wise and willing to give your best!

ROCKCLIMBING:
Johann Papendorf is responsible for rock meets. Contact him at 0827721716

JOHNSON HUT:
Viljoen Thom is our hut convenor. He can be contacted at 082 6550775 for hut bookings, which must be done at least 3 working days in advance. To collect the hut key, visit him at 10 Arlington Street, off Fairmead Street, Helena Heights.

The Hut fees are R5.00 per member, R10 per non-member and R3 per child under 18.
Will those using the hut do their best to pay the fees to the Hut convener or secretary!
Please do not use open flames (candles, cookers, smoking etc.) in the loft!
Close the door and shutters thoroughly after your visit, combating theft.

Please connect the water pipe in the first box of the water uptake for your stay and disconnect it when you leave to discourage the "bergies" littering at the hut.

Rules at Vergelegen Farm:
The driver of the car entering the farm must fill in the logbook at the security gate!
The fire access road to the hut is closed by chains and may only be used by foot!

Welcome to the new member: Karin Suart
And the prospective members: Helen Pickerton and Lisa Balz

Quote:
"Geology consists of stones and dirt ….. The large stones are known as mountains. Mountains are of little value, being exceedingly primitive and rudely built. Their chief use is for climbing. The only practical result from climbing a mountain is to climb down again. Naturers who climb mountains for sport are known as mountaineers. Those who descend are known as survivors. There are professional survivors known as guides."     From: First Aid for Naturers 1913 (quoted with courtesy to KZN section)

Bain's kloof (CNC)

Sunday, 3rd February

Hike Bobbejansrivier to a waterfall, visiting lovely pools to dip in.
Ulli Deutschlander 0723423615

Kleinmond Trad

Sunday, 10th February

Rock climb above the Palmiet river and/or hike (with Ulli) to Perdekop.
Johann Papendorf 0827721716

Lower Kromrivier (CNC)

Sunday, 17th February

Easy hike with a big cold(?) pool at the end. Bring Wildcard.
Michelle Siebert 0824299784

Porterville weekend

Weekend, 23rd-24th February

Hiking and camping at the farm Waterfall.
Book ahead with Richard Loos 8440366: 8527427

Annual Service Table Mountain

Sunday 24th February

For details contact Ulli D. before 22nd February!

Slideshow and Social: climbing Volcanoes in Mexico. See front page! Friday 29th February

Koffiekloof

Sat.+ Sunday, 2nd March

Exploration of this long not visited side kloof of the Lang kloof. Possible sleepover in the Johnson Hut.
David Wright 0823279721

Oudebos to Harold Porter Botanical Garden (CNC)

Sunday, 9th March

An easy and interesting half day walk into an indigenous forest and then through lovely fynbos to the top of a waterfall above Luiperdskloof. Bring Wildcard. Ron du Toit 8523867 (Argus Cycle Tour! 9th March, voluntary helpers to contact Ian Thompson 078 4122160)

Devils Peak

Sunday, 16th March

Scenery route up Mowbray Ridge. Some fitness required.
Alvin Page 0725919953

Helderberg Dome, or as high as you want to go?

Easter Monday, 23rd March

For the energetic ones, but really worthwhile.
Nina Nezura 0731463845 or (w) 8418119

Kromrivier Dome (CNC)

Weekend 29th / 30th March

Sleepover at the hut and scramble up the surrounding peaks.
Alvin Page 0725919953

Katedraal Peak

Sunday, 6th April

Fitness required for this hike plus scramble in Jonkershoek valley.
Nick le Maitre 0724925315

Helderberg to Johnson Hut

Weekend 12th/13th April

Annual traverse from the Helderberg Nature Reserve overlooking the Falsebay to Diepgat for a social evening there and hike next morning to our hut.
Laura Thompson 0761439122

Johnson Hut Work Meet,

(Saturday +) Sunday, 20th April

Members and prospective members please bring saws and cutters for a hack of invading aliens around the hut.
Viljoen Thom 0826550775

Minicamp at Wolkberg (see front page)

from 24th April to 4th May

Montague

long weekend 26th-28th April

Lots of rock climbing and hiking on this long weekend. More details closer to the event.
Jeanne Gouws 0825525811