Greetings, MCSA member
In this bulletin:
- PRESIDENT’S RAMBLES
- COVID-19 UPDATE
- MCSA NATIONAL MINI-CAMP 2021
- UIAA MOUNTAIN PROTECTION AWARD
- UIAA UPDATE
- SHAFF
- FACEBOOK AND WEB PAGES
- NEWSWORTHY ITEMS
1. PRESIDENT’S RAMBLES
The eagerness with which we awaited the July Camp has ended in disappointment, but of course in the bigger scheme of things this is a small sacrifice.
It did however turn my thoughts to the MCSA, which also in the bigger scheme of things is a “small” club of approximately 6000 members, yet remarkably, a “massive” club when one considers the achievements, passion and dedication of members. Usually when we think of the MCSA, we focus on mountaineering, climbing, hiking, camping, trekking, weeding, conservation and expeditions. What we sometimes forget is that these activities take place because of organisers and administrators. It is the day-to-day passion, dedication, focus and consistency of those who take up the task of organising and administering the Club, meets, websites, newsletters, databases, social media and of course, finances, to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude. Every time we summit or “top out”, our committees, convener’s, secretaries and organisers have worked in often difficult circumstances (and often far from the hills) to ensure that we continue to enjoy our mountain environment and the benefits of the MCSA. Thank you!
Winter has brought with it the tightening of Lockdown Regulations, fortunately as MCSA members we are able to abide the regulations but still enjoy the restorative benefits of our mountains, crags and our great outdoors. Perhaps we can use some of our energy hacking, weeding and conserving, all great activities to warm your body and soul!
Finally, a shout out to two publications, the first is a new book: “Avoiding the Grim Reaper”, an entertaining collection by Rik De Decker available from MCSA Cape Town office and the second is “The Send Space”, a new innovation for SA: a local climbing Podcast service, which offers fun, informative and engaging views from various members of our climbing community. You would be missing out if you miss these.
Till next time.
That’s Me!
2. COVID-19 UPDATE
It is very unfortunate that this part of the National Newsletter now appears to be a permanent fixture. It is clear that we are not going to get out of this situation any time soon – we can just hope that it can be controlled so that life can go on even if it is the famous “new normal”.
The slow rate of vaccination in South Africa is alarming and it appears that this may have been exacerbated by the unrest in KZN and Gauteng. Hopefully, this has now passed and we can get on with our lives.
Your editor has the “advantage” of reviewing the Covid situation world-wide through the UIAA Covid working group. These findings and a review are to be found on the UIAA web site should you be interested to know more.
But to end this piece with my usual exhortation:
PLEASE STAY SAFE!!!
And look carefully at the guidelines and (necessary) regulations so that we can all enjoy the Club and its amenities.
3. MCSA NATIONAL MINI-CAMP 202
The MCSA National Mini Camp 2021 will be hosted by the Paarl/Wellington Section over the period of 4-10 October. A full programme of events is planned:
Camp starts on Monday with a Cheese & Wine opening function and will close on Saturday night with our Annual Dinner.
An exciting programme of varied hikes in the Limietberg area will be offered as well as wild camping and overnighting in our Kromrivier Hut. The Paarl/Wellington area has some excellent rock climbing, mountain biking & trail running for the more extreme mountaineers.
We encourage families to join us – there will something for everyone! And we hope that this highly attractive event will go ahead as planned!
4. UIAA MOUNTAIN PROTECTION AWARD
Regular readers of this Newsletter will be aware that the Club has been preparing a submission to the UIAA for the Mountain Protection Award for 2021. This was completed and submitted.
The subject of our entry is “Helihack Alien Clearing in the Western Cape Mountains” – part of the MCSA’s broader alien vegetation clearing programmes that are on-going in the Western Cape mountains.
There are a large number of entries to the competition this year – due to last year’s being cancelled – 25 in all. They are all viewable on the UIAA web site:
https://www.theuiaa.org/uiaa/25-projects-line-up-for-global-sustainability-award/
and it is apparent that there is some stiff competition!
5. UIAA UPDATE
The UIAA continues pretty well all of its normal activities with numbers of initiatives on the go. Members are urged to go to the UIAA web site – https://www.theuiaa.org/ – for more information plus a load of other useful data.
5.1 SAFETY COMMISSION REPORTS ON STANDARDS PROGRESS
Those of you who are more technically minded may be interested in the UIAA Safety Commission news and this commission held its latest Plenary Session between 31 May and 1 June. Over the two-day online meeting, the Plenary welcomed 11 UIAA accredited laboratory representatives, 13 national delegates and representatives from 27 leading manufactures of climbing and mountaineering equipment.
More information available at: https://www.theuiaa.org/uiaa/uiaa-safety-commission-reports-on-standards-progress/
6. SHAFF
What the hell is SHAFF do I hear you cry..? SHAFF, the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, is normally a live event held each year to show and celebrate adventure-themed films. The pandemic has of course, played havoc with live events but many of the films are available on-line – either for live-streaming or down-loading and watching at leisure. There is a nominal charge for some films and some of them are free-to-view. Highly recommended for viewing a number of mountain/climbing films. Go to:
https://shaff.co.uk/shaff21/climb-films-1 to access the various titles that are available.
7. FACEBOOK AND WEB PAGES
7.1 National: abbreviated link for the national MCSA Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MCSA125/
7.2 Links for all the sections’ web pages are on the MCSA national webpage.
8. NEWSWORTHY ITEMS
Please send any newsworthy items for inclusion in MCSA National News Letter to Greg Moseley at: moseleyg@zsd.co.za
These have been distinctly lacking over the last years – so please remember to send any items that may be of interest to the broader, national membership for inclusion here.
QUOTABLE QUOTES:
“Because it is (still) there”
Adapted from George Mallory – and applied to all mountains!
