MCSA KZN September 2023 Newsletter

FOUNDED 1891 ESTABLISHED 1919

UPCOMING MEETS:

The News September

October

2023

21 October MCSA Community Program A conversation around leading hikes

Michaela Geytenbeek 26 October Hilton Adventure Talk: Crossways Pub, Hilton at 6 PM

Gavin Raubenheimer

November 9 November Dear MCSA Members,

Supplementary Rescue Training Hillcrest Scout Hall

Warm greetings to all of you as we usher in another exciting month at the MCSA! Inside this edition, you'll find a diverse array of activities, events, and stories that encapsulate the spirit and passion of our community.

Bruce Sobey 11 November - 12 November Caracal Cave Crazy Cook-off Highmoor

Dive into page 3, where we warmly welcome Kirsten Pirie to our MCSA family. Turn over to page 4, and join Gerald Camp as he embarks on a breathtaking journey to experience the majestic Dolomites. On page 8, delve into the feedback submitted by Amy from the youth attendees of the inspiring outreach initiative arranged by Michaela. Lastly, don't miss out on the report of the 2023 National Climbing Championships on page 14.

Looking ahead to next month's special edition dedicated to Cambalala: this edition aims to not only look back at the wonderful 50th anniversary weekend but also be a heartfelt trip down memory lane. For that, we need your help. We invite all members to share their cherished memories, stories, and possibly photos from the past about Cambalala. Your personal reflections and moments will make this edition truly special.

~ Vicky van Zyl

Carl Dreyer 11 November Cliff Rescue Training Monteseel

Jon Sargood 17 November - 19 November Pine Bust Cambalala base Working Cathedral Peak area

Richard Strickland

From under the desk of the President Dear Members, Goodbye to Winter and hello to Spring and warmer weather – although it felt like Summer already during some September days! Either way, we wish our newest member Kirsten Pirie, a spectacular Spring welcome, bringing current membership numbers to 316.

During September there were several meets including a hike at Garden Castle, cliff Rescue training and the National Climbing Champs, but none of these were as big as the 50th anniversary celebrations of our involvement and use of Cambalala Hut. It was a wonderful weekend with visits and talks by some members who were last at Cambalala 30 years ago. We had speeches by Pat Raw, who was there at the very start, Clem Robins, and the OIC of Didima: Selby Mkhize. Look out for a jam-packed Cambalala edition next month. The stories and memories shared will ensure it's an edition not to be missed!

There was no committee meeting in September.

That’s all for now.

Regards,

Carl Dreyer

President KZN Section, MCSA

Member Spotlight:

Kirsten "KP" Pirie

We're thrilled to shine our Member Spotlight on a remarkable new addition to our community, Kirsten Pirie, affectionately known to friends and loved ones as KP. Hailing from the vibrant coastal city of Durban, KP brings with her a deep-rooted passion for the mountains, a legacy passed down from her parents and further fueled by university friends.

Professionally, she dives deep into the world of data as a Data Scientist, but when she's off the digital grid, you'll most likely find her scaling our beloved peaks. One of her absolute favourite spots? The breathtaking Stable Cave in Monks Cowl. As KP describes it, waking up to the view there is sheer "bliss" - and we couldn't agree more!

KP has a treasury of outdoor memories, but one that shines exceptionally bright is a night at Keith's Bush Camp. Imagine this: laying under a canopy of a billion stars, with the night as your blanket. Sounds dreamy, doesn't it?

While mountain activities hold a special place in her heart, KP's interests don't end there. Whether it's running along winding trails, paddling through serene waters, sailing against the gusty winds, or gazing up at celestial wonders and deepening her knowledge of astronomy, she's always on the go.

Oh, and for a fun tidbit that might pique your curiosity: KP has raced not once but twice in the adrenaline-pumping Red Bull Box Cart races in South Africa!

We are absolutely delighted to have KP amongst us and look forward to many adventures together.

Let's extend a hearty welcome and make her feel right at home in our Mountain Club family!

A KZN Climber's Adventure in Austria and Italy

By: Gerald Camp

A Dream Long in the Making We have many good quality single-pitch routes here in KZN. They're not too hard but just enough to make you really think and to keep you on the edge. I've always said stacks of these pitches on top of each other would be magic. Pete Janschek, a long-time friend and climber, had the same thought. He told me, "You need to go to Austria and the Dolomites in Italy. You'll find what you're looking for there." 2020 was my year. Ticket ready, fit, and raring to go. But, as life would have it, it took another three years to finally set foot there.

Touchdown in Innsbruck As you land in a narrow valley in Innsbruck, tall, white limestone faces stare down at the airstrip, assuring you that you're in the right place.

The Climbing Chronicles From the get-go, we were on our routes. Our first was a 100m stretch with moves graded between 16 – 19. That kind of set the tone for our time there. Every route was celebrated with a beer, even rest days. Among the climbs, two stood out: a 375m route near Innsbruck and a whopping 480m one in the Dolomites. Didn't bother with the names. For me, it was about how "long and how hard". And yes, run-outs are a regular feature here. While there are sports routes with good anchors, what really got me were the old routes. Climbing with a mixed bag of old pitons, skinny glue-in bolts, and traditional gear. It's different here, not like our KZN 'edgy', 'reachy', and 'raily' routes. More about footwork and those 'balancy' moves.

"Every route was celebrated by a beer..

Even rest days."

Gym Side-Trip in Innsbruck

You can't visit Innsbruck and not check out the gym. I'm no 'gym rat', but I went.

Partly out of curiosity and partly so I could answer when asked. Ended up going three times and loving it.

Brief Stop at Arco

Our plans in Arco, Northern Italy, got rain-checked. Literally, but we squeezed in some climbs on its polished rock. And the town itself? It's got more climbing shops than our whole country.

A Speck in the Desert of Climbs

The routes we took were like picking up just one grain of sand in a huge desert. There's no way I could do them all in one lifetime.

But I did get that one grain and lots of memories with it.

"You need to go to Austria and the Dolomites in Italy. You'll find what you're looking for there."

Watch this 24-second panoramic sweep of the Dolomites.

e m m a r g o r P Outreach

As part of the KZN MCSA Outreach Programme, active member and avid hike leader Michaela (@PathFinders_SA) put together the Youth Hiking Programme.

This programme involved three preparation hikes culminating in an overnight hike in the Drakensberg.

The idea behind the programme was to expose youth (ages 20-25) who would not otherwise get the opportunity, to hiking and the magic of the mountains.

Over the course of the programme, the group have formed tight bonds with each other and has shown much determination and stamina.

A special thanks to MCSA KZN and each member whose contributions make this programme possible!

OVERNIGHT

HIKE

Youth Reflections

Embracing the Unexpected: A Journey to Remember by Nosipho: First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge and thank MCSA for affording us the opportunity to be part of this beautiful experience. From the preparations at Giba Gorge right till the very end, thank you. I would also like to thank our driver, Matt for his patience and for ensuring that we were safe at all times.

The drive from Durban to Drakensberg was very much enjoyable. We took a lot of pictures along the way and had an amazing time. Arriving at the hut, we all rushed in to look for charging ports; little did we know that there would be none. That, however, was no train smash as we took time to bond over a game of cards and supper around the bonfire.

The following morning, I was filled with so much anxiety. My biggest fear was getting too tired along the way and not making it up to the Tseketseke hut. I did not want to disappoint the team, so I told myself I would take it slow. The hike up the mountain was strenuous but very enjoyable as well. Possibly because we climbed up at a pace that accommodated everyone, took a few breaks, and saw majestic views along the way. I admit, the hike up was very tiring, and all I wanted to do was reach our destination and sleep.

I got the shock of my life when we reached the hut. I was honestly expecting a house like the MCSA hut, but I was happy to have reached the destination, nonetheless. Being around such an amazing group made the experience and the hutsharing exciting. We just couldn’t wait to set up our mats and sleeping bags. Preparing supper was also an amazing experience, and it felt like we were on a camping trip, so that was a 2-in-1 experience. We got to share the hut with other kind gentlemen from Gauteng.

The morning came, and the weather had changed a lot. It’s true when they say the weather is unpredictable in the mountains. After breakfast, we embarked on a journey down to the Cathedral Peak Hotel. The hike down was less tiring, and we enjoyed our lunch under Mushroom Rock. And as cold as it was, we posed for pictures along the way in our raincoats, which made us look like Ninja Turtles. We really appreciated some of the shortcuts we took along the way as they made us reach the bottom faster, ensuring that we reached Durban safely.

The drive back to Durban was bittersweet for all of us as we wished to repeat the amazing experience. This will go down as one of the best memories of my early adult life, and I would once again like to thank everyone who made it possible.

Conquering Tseketseke: A View Worth the Climb by Yonela: I would like to thank Michaela for adding me as a member of the MCSA youth hikers.

Hiking from the Drakensberg was a fantastic hiking experience, starting from Cathedral Peak Hotel and hiking up to Tseketseke Hut through Tseketseke Pass. The route offers an amazing view of the Cathedral Range and mountains. I found the trail a bit hard, but when we got to the top, the view was really worth every single moment of pain.

Going back past Mushroom Rock made it a fairly short walk, but overall it was quite a long stretch but worth the view. The impressive free-standing Pyramid and Column peaks rose up high in the Tseketseke pass and the cleft peak looming over us was a bonus.

Thank you for giving us enough breaks and for choosing a small stream near the top, which offered us a chance to fill our water bottles with fresh water. A special thanks to the guiding team for encouraging, educating and supporting us for the whole hike.

“the view was really worth every single moment of pain”

Discovering Strength and Beauty: From Giba Gorge to Drakensberg by Nangamso: The whole MCSA hiking workshop has been one of the best experiences of my life since I have never hiked any time before. The first hike at Giba Gorge was a very refreshing green hike as we saw different types of plants and different kinds and forms of water.

The walk upwards on an inclining slope on a really hot day I thought it would be a piece of cake! But I was really challenged physically. I even started hallucinating. Which I guess was understandable as it was my first experience hiking with a scorching sun but because I have a very strong, positive and consistent nature I obviously made it to the end.

I learned and re-learned many lessons about life, and it felt amazing. One thing I've realised is that I feel more powerful after each and every hiking experience.

On the Drakensberg hike, I still could not believe some of the beautiful landforms I saw, the breathtaking river pools with black sediment river beds, and so much more. It was magnificent. I wish we arrived early at the Tseketseke Hut to really walk around more. I feel there was so much more to explore. I will definitely do it again and again... The Drakensberg hike connected me even more to nature and inspired me actually to travel more, so this one isn't the last. I'm looking forward to so many more experiences in nature.

The Hosts/Guides were remarkable and very thoughtful and warm. They catered for us, lent us all the required hiking gear, organised our accommodation and everything. They also made the hike so much fun and educational as well. They had beautiful personalities, and we shared so much together even though the time was little... There's so much that I could say on so many levels - MCSA is the best! Thank you so much for the wonderful experience.

Drakensberg's Majesty: A Revitalizing Escape by Wanda: The Drakensberg Mountain is one the most beautiful places I have ever seen with my own eyes. I never thought at a younger age I would have this experience of hiking on the biggest mountains in South Africa. I didn't believe that I could walk all the way to the heart of the Drakensberg and come back. I'm proud of myself for walking a total of 10 kilometres in 7 to 8 hours on the first day, all thanks to our guides Amy and Conor who were leading us all the way, as well as the group that I was hiking with.

At first, I didn't enjoy it. I felt so tired because of my backpack. But during the walk, I got used to it, and in the middle of the hike, I started to enjoy it because I saw beautiful mountains, trees and animals such as baboons, birds, and other animals in the Drakensberg mountains. How can I forget the rivers that had clean and fresh water that helped me to survive the hike? It was so nice seeing a Protea flower with my own eyes.

I didn't know that a Protea flower has many different types, it was so amazing to see different types of Protea flowers.

I was so happy to have breakfast, lunch and dinner on the mountain. It was so nice and I enjoyed eating hiking food that was made by me and my group. To be in the Drakensberg mountains made me remember my home where I grew up, but the beauty of the Drakensberg is multiplied. To be there really gave me a feeling of being alive and I forgot all the pressure I was having in my journey of my life.

I could write a book if I had to count all the things that I loved about the mountains. All I can say is that if people want to get the experience of seeing a beautiful place in nature, they must hike the Drakensberg mountain. It's a beautiful place that gives happiness and a healthy mind. A big thanks to Amy and Conor for the knowledge that they shared with us, and a big thanks to Michaela for organising all the hikes for us.

Another thank you to MCSA KZN. I will always remember the moments in the Drakensberg mountain, and I wish to hike again on your hikes.

for more photos about this amazing experience please click

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WE NEED YOU

Joining the Mountain Club of South Africa's (MCSA) Search and Rescue team offers an incredible opportunity to not only give back to the hiking and climbing community, but also to develop your own skills, gain unique experiences, and be part of a close-knit team that's truly making a difference. As a team member, you'll engage in high berg hikes, cliff training sessions, and real-life rescue missions, all while maintaining your own 48-hour personal rescue pack. If you're a climber, you can progress further, mastering advanced rescue techniques, and even move into leadership roles as an Assistant Rescue Organiser (ARO) or Rescue Organiser (RO). The demands are high, but the rewards are even higher – from the camaraderie of like-minded peers to the profound satisfaction of helping those in need. By contributing to search and rescue, you're not just hiking or climbing, you're becoming a guardian of the mountains. For more information whatsapp Paul Roth on 076 395 0119 or Colin McCoy on 082 546 7963

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By Brad Inggs

2023 National Climbing Championships Kwa-Zulu Natal Climbing, a member of the SANCF (South African National Climbing Federation), has offered to host the 2023 National Climbing Championships. This event is sanctioned by the IFSC (International Federation of Sport Climbing). It will serve as a qualifier for athletes aiming to compete at the IFSC Africa Champs in Pretoria in December. Bevan Gibson-Taylor, the current president of KZN Climbing, approached the MCSA KZN Section for assistance during the event. The three-day event comprised two days of bouldering and speed climbing competition, with lead climbing concluding the event on the third day. MCSA was asked to help with chaperoning climbers from isolation to the climbing walls so they could tackle the boulder problems unseen, as well as with scoring, timing on the speed wall, hold cleaning, and belaying of the lead climbers. Always ready to assist, Karen Miller put the message out to the members, who were eager to help.

Scoring a climb! Well there’s a new experience for MCSA climbers.

They're accustomed to scoring a piece of gear found at the crag, or an underachieving DORK. Two online sessions were organised to introduce the concepts and systems of competition climbing and scoring for the bouldering and lead climbing disciplines.

Saturday arrived, and it was all systems go. The bouldering qualifiers for the U13 and U15 age groups kicked off the event.

Climbing continued throughout the day into the early evening, culminating with the Finals. The speed climbers also showcased their vertical speed skills during the qualifiers on Saturday afternoon, energising the crowd during the finals.

Sunday focused on bouldering, with the U17, U19, and Open age groups competing in the qualifiers and concluding with the Finals in the late evening. The weather posed some hurdles, with scorching temperatures at midday affecting climbers' ability to smear with their shoes on certain bouldering problems. This swiftly shifted to a chilly spell in the late afternoon accompanied by some rainfall.

The lead climbing event was slated for Monday, with potential rescheduling to Tuesday due to anticipated adverse weather.

However, the weather was favourable, and the MCSA belayers and their assistants were kept on their toes with young climbers tackling the 18m-high lead wall.

Qualifying rounds took place for all age groups, leading up to the Finals. The Open Finals wrapped up the event amidst loud cheers from the audience, insightful commentary, and impressive performances from eager competitors.

The MCSA KZN Section distinguished themselves at this event. Special recognition and gratitude were expressed during the final prize-giving by Bevan Gibson-Taylor of KZN Climbing and George Stainton from the SANCF. Gordon Jenkins was instrumental behind the scenes, assisting with the installation of lighting and electrical infrastructure for the event. Ewan Olds worked diligently during the construction of the structures and walls and continued to support during the event itself. Peter Sermon applied his expertise in the sound and commentary booth, ensuring the live stream on YouTube was accessible to the public and cleverly incorporated the MCSA logo into the sponsors' strip.

Kudos, Peter. Gerald Camp, the chief adjudicator for the event, addressed several appeals from competitors with his characteristic wit and humour. A heartfelt thanks to Karen Miller for rallying the team and fostering a semblance of order and discipline – not an easy task with climbers who naturally resist such constraints.

President

Carl Dreyer

084 527 9985 mcsakzn.president@gmail.com

Hon. Secretary & Admin

Jess McTaggart

072 229 9406 mcsakzn.secretary@gmail.com kzn.mcsa.comm@gmail.com

Hon. Treasurer

Merv Gavin

082 926 4007 mcsakzn.treasurer@gmail.com

Rescue Convenor

Colin McCoy / Paul Roth

Colin: 082 546 7963 Paul: 076 395 0119 mcsakzn.rescue@gmail.com

Marketing & PR

Mark McTaggart

mcsakzn.pro@gmail.com

Outreach

Michaela Geytenbeek

mcsakzn.outreach@gmail.com

Climbing & Mountaineering

Simon Vickers

084 420 8230 mcsakzn.climb@gmail.com

Hiking

Brad Inggs

082 465 9740 mcsakzn.hiking@gmail.com

Access

Graeme Bruschi

071 398 5929 mcsakzn.access@gmail.com

Cambalala & Meets

Clem Robins

084 500 4666 clemnolarobins@gmail.com

July Camp

Rikki Abbott Wedderburn

082 538 5389 ronwedd@netactive.co.za

Events

Karen Miller

071 114 9727 kjmchiro@eject.co.za

Conservation

Roger Mantel

mcsakzn.conservation@gmail.com

Dear MCSA Family, As we come to the close of this edition, I have some news to share. The special Cambalala edition will sadly be my last as the temporary editor of this newsletter. The club is now in urgent need of someone passionate and dedicated to step in and continue this beautiful journey of storytelling.

Reflecting on my time here, this month felt incredibly special. It was heartening to see so many members feeling comfortable sharing their tales, their adventures, and their passions. My aim was always to foster a sense of community, allowing everyone's voice to be heard.

Before I sign off, a gentle reminder to all our members: As we gear up for the special edition covering the 50th Cambalala anniversary weekend, we'd be delighted to include any cherished memories, stories, or photographs from the past. Your contributions will undoubtedly make this already special edition even more memorable.

A special thank you to Clem, Suzie, and Karen for the invaluable contributions they've already made to this edition. Their efforts and shared memories enrich our collective experience.

From the depths of my heart, I thank each and every one of you for the unwavering support, the kind words, and the shared memories.

Being a part of this newsletter has been a privilege, and I will always look back at this period with immense pride and gratitude.

Wishing you all many more adventures and stories,

Vicky van Zyl Editor, MCSA KZN