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National News, November 2016

MCSA National News 6 November 2016 National News, November 2016

1) CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2016 JOURNAL

This is a call for contributions for the 2016 Journal.  These can be sent to the Editing Team to: jennyapaterson@gmail.com. Please refer to the Guidelines and Style Sheet on the national website before you submit any contribution: https://sites.google.com/a/mcsa.org.za/mcsa/home/journal.
As this will be a special edition, it being our 125th anniversary year, we will be including a bit about the history of the MCSA.


 

2) TOP OF THE WORLD

The Mountain Club of South Africa is celebrating its 125th birthday, writes member Claire Keeton. MCSA members climbed more than 300 peaks, hills and routes in South Africa, and as far afield as Ben Nevis in Scotland and South Korea, this month to celebrate the club’s 125th birthday. The highest point reached was 5 400m on the Thorung La pass in Nepal. A pair of rock climbers got up 125 routes in a single day at Waterval Boven in Mpumalanga. Merv Prior, 91, was the veteran participant when he climbed Arch Rock at Keurboomstrand.
[30/10/2016 The Times (Sunday Times Daily). For the full article, see http://bit.ly/2f1972v.]


 

3) NEW RECORD FOR THE GREAT HIMALAYA TRAIL

Andrew Porter (Johannesburg Section) has completed the GHT in a new record time of 28 days, 13 hours and 56 minutes. This beats the previous record held by Sean Burch of 49 days. Andrew completed the GHT west to east, following a route similar to Burch. He started in Hilsa at 4 am on 26 September and finished in Pashupatinagar shortly after nightfall on 24 October 2016.

Andrew navigated by himself the whole way, and used no porters, preferring to carry the entire load himself. To keep weight down, he stayed in lodges or other local accommodation for most nights, buying food locally as he travelled. He received assistance and useful advice during the planning stages from Robin Boustead.

He organised the trip through the Thamel based trekking company Adventure Mountain Club. He had a dedicated guide, Nawang, who assisted with re-supply points along the way and with issuing permits. Andrew also received plenty of useful advice from both Nawang and the trekking company.

In total, Andrew used five re-supply points, at Simikot, Jupal, Dharapani, Trisuli and Bahrabrise. He also did a detour, on foot both ways, from Kagbeni to Jomsom to visit an ATM.

Key stats are as follows:
Total time: 28 days, 13 hours, 56 minutes
Distance covered: 1 406 km
68 440 m ascent
69 943 m descent
1.8 million steps taken
Weight loss of 4kg

Andrew would like to thank Robin Boustead, the Adventure Mountain Club and Nawang for their assistance.

http://wikitravel.org/en/The_Great_Himalaya_Trail
http://www.raonline.ch/pages/np/trek/np_trek04.html


 

4) CEDERBERG NATIONAL & 125-YEAR ANNIVERSARY MEET: REPORT

The 2016 National and 125-Year Anniversary Meet was hosted by the Cape Town Section from 30 September to 8 October.

The meet was held at Sanddrif and Kromrivier in the Cederberg. Approximately 100 members attended over the period, with some enjoying a long weekend, others arriving during the week, and a number even staying for the duration.

You can read more about the meet and see a few photos here: https://www.mcsacapetown.co.za/2016/10/cederberg-125-year-anniversary-meet/.


 

5) 1-2-5…CLIMB! 1-16 OCTOBER 2016: FEEDBACK

Club members came to the fore and celebrated the 125th anniversary of the MCSA all over the world’s mountains, hills and crags.

The goal of 1-2-5…Climb! was set as 125 routes/climbs… and then two members (Sakkie Jansen van Rensburg and Johan Terblanche) set off and bagged 125 sport routes on the Club’s official anniversary on 8 October in ONE day at Waterval Boven!

Not all reports are in yet, but the over 300 routes and climbs done reflects the great diversity within the MCSA as individual (individualistic?) members interpreted the ambit in their own ways in terms of event type, period, etc.:

  • a 90-year age gap was recorded between 18-month-old Alex Harvey in a carrier pack in the Magaliesberg and Merv Prior at 91 years old attempting Arch Rock at Keurboomstrand;
  • from the lowest point (highest point on Durban’s North Beach) to crossing Thorung La in Nepal on the 8th of October as part of Andrew Porter’s Great Himalayan Trail record;
  • as part of weekend life as trail runner, mountain biker, family person (some events logged 3 to 4 generations) or sommer on the way back from a holiday next to the road;
  • at least 10 countries from South Korea to Scotland;
  • a competition from Johannesburg Section as to who could climb the most routes at Bronkies delivered 59 routes i.e. around 5 per person;
  • a night rescue exercise and a full moon summit;
  • tough hikes described by the ‘tigers’ as strolls; strolls described as ‘high points’ by the elderly;
  • descend by cable car – of those knees,… – or ascend high up by cable car and hobble up further with your broken foot, or go with your recently operated shoulder;
  • weather ranged from brilliant to rainy (the weather on the actual birthday in the Western Cape didn’t deter the bagging of several peaks);
  • a quickie or as part of larger dreams/projects;
  • the current MCSA President as well as 4 ex-Presidents; four Gold Badge holders of the Club

The feedback received demonstrates the pride and joy in belonging to the MCSA. The pictures taken during many events were enhanced by the colourful 125-year anniversary Buff (designed by Maria Simitopoulus). For registered events and some stories and pictures:
http://www.mcsamagalies.co.za/index.php/2014-08-19-20-47-44/latest-news/item/449-1-2-5-climb-08-08-2016 (not yet fully updated).

If you haven’t done so yet, please remember to email a few lines/paragraph/essay/pictures on your bit to petrogrobler@telkomsa.net or WhatsApp to 073 401 7590.

“1-2-5…Climb! was slow to start but it surely grew wings.”(Greg Devine, South Cape Section)


 

6) AGTERTAFELBERG HUT: NEW PARKING OPTION AT FIZANTAKRAAL FARM

The owners of Fizantakraal Farm, over which Club members walk to reach the Agtertafelberg Hut or Du Toit’s Peak, have offered the MCSA a “pay if you use” access arrangement, which will operate in addition to the existing walk-in arrangement from the Du Toit’s Kloof Hut or the N1 weighbridge parking areas, with effect from 14 September 2016.

MCSA members may now choose to drive from the N1 up to the Fizantakraal farmyard on the new tar road that the farm has recently built, saving a total of 6km of slogging up and down from the Du Toit’s Kloof Hut parking area lower down. We believe that cars parked up at Fizantakraal will also be safer from the break-ins that have occurred at the Du Toit’s Kloof Hut parking area.

Please see details of the arrangement under Getting There – From Fizantakraal Parking, in the members’ only area of the Agtertafelberg Hut page.

(First published at https://www.mcsacapetown.co.za/2016/09/agt-hut-new-parking-option/.)


 

7) SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL: RECOGNISING AND MITIGATING THE RISK OF ALTITUDE-RELATED ILLNESS

Guest Editorial in the SAMJ Vol 106, No 9 (2016), by Ross Hofmeyr, Walther Meyer, Mike James, Rik De Decker.

The recent tragic and widely publicised death of South African (SA) celebrity Gugu Zulu on Mount Kilimanjaro has drawn significant public interest and speculation about the risks of high-altitude trekking and climbing. It has also demonstrated numerous myths and misconceptions with regard to safe high-altitude ascents among not only the lay public, but also medical professionals.

Read the complete article at http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/11389/7568.


 

8) MOUNTAIN CLUB OF UGANDA: OPPORTUNITY TO CLIMB MT BATIAN, KENYA

The Mountain Club of Uganda (MCU) is organising a trip to climb Batian on Mt Kenya in March 2017. If you wish to climb you will need to bring a climbing partner and gear. To join the trip contact Matt Battini: matt.battani@gmail.com.


 

9) INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN DAY: SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER 2016

International Mountain Day 2016 provides an occasion to highlight the variety and richness of mountain cultures, promote the vast array of mountain identities and ensure that indigenous rights are recognized and traditional ways endure.

While ‘Mountain Culture’ is the suggested theme for 2016, countries, communities and organizations are welcome to celebrate International Mountain Day through the choice of a different theme that might be more relevant to them.


 

10) UIAA

UIAA GLOBAL YOUTH SUMMIT OPPORTUNITIES: all enquiries should be directed to MCSA/UIAA Youth Commission Convenor, Jenny Paterson at jennyapaterson@gmail.com or through secretary@mcsa.org.za. Applications should not be submitted without being signed off by either Jenny or the MCSA President.

10.1) INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ICE CLIMBING CAMP – Guillestre, Hautes Alpes (05), France, 5 – 11 February 2017.

Venue: Guillestre, near Briançon in southern Alps of France. All the ice climbing sites are described on this internet site: http://ice-fall.com/.
Accommodation: in the Youth gite; 4 persons/room; breakfast and dinner provided by the gite and are included in the cost.
Participants: Young people from 16 – 26 years old. Participants should lead climb at a minimum of 5b French grade, and should be autonomous for managing belay. Spaces will be limited to a maximum of FOUR per country.
Participants younger than 18 years must be accompanied by an adult climber/coach who is able to look after them during this meet.
Insurance: participants should be insured for accident, rescue, third party liability and travel which is valid for participating for the duration of the trekking/climbing programmes.
Visa: a visa will be required so early booking is recommended as the visa process takes time.
Cost: €240 per participant, payable on arrival to the organiser.
Included: accommodation, dinner and breakfast, leading and organisational costs. Not included: cost of midday picnics; international flights; insurance; visa; items of a personal nature.
Registration deadline: 20 January 2017 (for European participants; earlier for any South African participants due to time required to process flights and visas).

More details and assistance with registration can be obtained from Jenny.

10.2) YOUTH ICE CLIMBING CAMP – Dolomites, Italy, 9 – 13 February 2017.

Venue: The Dolomites
Participants: Young people from 15 – 19 years old (strictly). 10 Italians and 10 foreigners.
Insurance: participants should be insured for accident, rescue, third party liability and travel which is valid for participating for the duration of the trekking/climbing programmes.
Visa: a visa will be required so early booking is recommended as the visa process takes time.
Cost: €240 per participant, payable on arrival to the organiser.
Included: full board and local transfers. Not included: international airfare; insurance; visas; items of a personal nature.
Technical Equipment: Climbing harness, winter mountaineering boots, crampon, helmet, two ice axes, ARTVA equipment. The missing technical equipment will be provided by the organization. (Communicate to the organization which technical equipment you need no later than 15 January.)
Equipment: Heavy winter clothing, sun screen and sunglasses, free time clothing, personal medicines.
Registration deadline: January 15th 2017 (earlier for any South African participants due to time required to process flights and visas).

More details and assistance with registration can be obtained from Jenny.


 

12) SECTION NEWS

CT SECTION: MCSA AND WCC OLIVE GLEN HIKING & CLIMBING YOUTH CAMP, 29-30 OCTOBER 2016 – FEEDBACK

The Olive Glen Youth Camp was held over the weekend of the 29 and 30 October 2016 at Olive Glen Farm in Paarl-Wellington. Twenty-one children, sixteen parents and two Supervisors attended. We were looked after by the amazing Eckhardt Conradie, our guide for the weekend. Most of the kids who attended the camp are Western Cape Climbing members. The camp was run and organised by Delaney Carpenter, MCSA (Cape Town Section) Youth Programme Convenor, who is also WCC Secretary, Treasurer, Head of Coaching and Clubs Liaison. Delaney was assisted by MCSA Member and Top Out Climbing Club Coach, Caleb Ashley Cooper.


 

13) SNIPPETS

13.1) MEET THE 2016 NAT GEO ADVENTURERS OF THE YEAR

National Geographic has revealed its selections for the 2016 Adventurers of the Year. As usual, the list consists of a group of people who have made unique contributions in the area of exploration, conservation, and pushing the boundaries of human endurance. This year, ten individuals – and an entire ship’s crew – were honoured with this distinction. http://theadventureblog.blogspot.co.za/

13.2) AFROMONT-MT KILIMANJARO MOUNTAIN RESEARCH MEETING, 22-26 FEBRUARY 2017

Please diarise the above dates for the 2017 AfroMont-Mt Kilimanjaro African Mountain Research meeting, hosted by the Mt Kili research programme based at Moshi.
http://mri.scnatweb.ch/en/networks/mri-africa

13.3) CONSERVATION OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE IN KENYA

(Edited by Anne-Marie Deisser and Mugwima Njuguna)

This book brings together essays by heritage experts from different backgrounds, including conservation, heritage management, museum studies, archaeology, environment and social sciences, architecture and landscape, geography, philosophy and economics to explore three key themes: the underlying ethics, practices and legal issues of heritage conservation; the exploration of architectural and urban heritage of Nairobi; and the natural heritage, origin, and in African countries currently experiencing conflicts, this activity invariably attracts looters, traffickers and criminal networks.
Download free: http://bit.ly/2ec4lND


 

14) SUBMITTING NEWSWORTHY ITEMS

Newsworthy items for inclusion in the MCSA National News can be sent to the Editor, Bridget Carrick: bridget.carrick7@gmail.com.

QUOTE

“And there is another kind of equally pure collector: This person is the mountain nomad who collects ascents of peaks, very often silently and joyfully, simply because he or she loves being in the mountains exploring. The wilderness possibilities in my native Canada have permitted the existence of many such nomads, even in this age of roads and airplanes. People … [who] each head into the mountains every year with a drive to explore that naturally, but not necessarily intentionally, creates remarkable tick-lists.” – Pat Morrow, Peak Bagging

“explore – discover – connect – protect”
“verken – ontdek – ontmoet – bewaar”
“phonononga – fumanisa – qhagamshela – khusela”

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