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Cockcomb
Cronicle MCSA Eastern Province Section newsletter http://eas.mcsa.org.za July – October 2006 editor: Mike Mills 3651 707h From : “Spirit of theMountain” EDITORIAL The weeks have passed quickly and it is once again time to publish an edition of the Cockscomb Chronicle. This is the second edition which I have prepared. I shall endeavour to write one or two articles for each edition. However, if you have any articles which you would like to have published, please let me have them. Shortly after taking over the editorship, I introduced a pro forma for written report-backs on meets. This may require a little extra work on the part of the meets leader, but it is of great assistance when preparing the section on meets. Please continue to complete the pro-formas; there is a supply in the stationery cupboard. The Mountain Club has its core of active members. They venture off into the mountains, lead meets and sometimes open new routes. Unfortunately, this core represents a relatively small percentage of the total membership. There may be various reasons for this. Some members would like to spend more time on club meets. However, family and/or business commitments preclude them from doing so. Time marches on relentlessly; the grand “Ou Bulle” of the club have sadly passed on and the youngsters who joined the Club in the 60s and 70s are moving into the “Ou Bulle” category. While there are and probably always will be younger people who will share our love of the mountains, we need to encourage more young people to become involved. The committee is well aware of this and is formulating plans to attract younger members. Your suggestions will be welcome. The Mountain Club has fine traditions and principles. Let us ensure that these are passed on to the succeeding generation. NEWS OF MEMBERS Ann Hughes is scheduled to return from Britain in December, 2006. CONGRATULATIONS to Ruth (ZR2RS) and Isolda (ZR2IW) on passing the Amateur Radio Licence examination. Angela Stavros gave birth to Lea on 25 October She also got married a while ago, to Panagiotis Kanellopoulos, also known as Pana. FANCY THAT! There was a young man called Paul
Auction Sale It is confirmed that there will be an auction sale during February, 2007. Please start thinking about items which you may wish to sell. Holiday Accommodation
Launching of REDFIN Handy Hints You are running late and in your haste you have cut your face while shaving. Try ordinary household pepper- pat it onto the cut until it forms a poultice. You will be surprised how quickly it staunches the flow of blood. Items on the Noticeboard- The following items are currently on the noticeboard: 1. Croak Corner- news-sheet from FROG (Friends of Groendal) There has been good progress in clearing aliens off our property, which has included work on the borders and some cross-border work as well, to push back plants that could in the future spread onto our property. Our neighbours are appreciative of our efforts, and Rolf & Jeannie Huttenrauch,, the owners of Falcon Rock (to the west of our property) are clearing aliens off our property following the example we have set. Jim & Monica Greenaway, the owners of Highbrae (to the east of our property), have put their property on the market. Are there any buyers in the club ? The route for the circular path that was proposed some time back is being developed carefully. After many years of talk, there is finally some action on the repair of the main footpath. A trial section has been completed, and the technique developed seems to be to everyone’s satisfaction. Come to the next work-party on 19 November to see more action! The plans for that work-party are to start at 8am, and finish off work about 1pm, whereupon we will have a braai at the Falcon Rock facilities. The club will sponsor drinks.
Have we forgotten Ian McCallum Footnote. Rugby lovers will remember Ian McCallum who played at full-back for South Africa against the 1970 All Blacks. His accurate goal-kicking helped the Springboks win the series 3-1. McCallum is a doctor by profession.
Cockscomb 27 - 28 May This meet was originally planned for the previous weekend. Torrential rain caused postponement to these dates. This was intended to be a joint meet with “Voetsak” hiking club. In the event, apart from those of us who belong to both clubs, only one MCSA member turned out; Richard Bower. Nine hikers left the Rudman property and headed into Pinnacle Gorge. We climbed out to the east onto Frans Loots’ property and used his route to the neck, proceeding across our property to T’Numqua cave. After a comfortable night in the cave, eight of the group climbed to the peak in near perfect conditions. The return trip to the parked vehicles at the Rudman farm was made down our own route. East of Groendal 28 May A party of seven visited Perdevlei and Grootvlei from the north east in good weather conditions. The Cecil Sullivan memorial cairn, hidden in the incredibly dense wattle forest, was also visited. A large wattle tree has collapsed onto the cairn, partially hiding and also damaging it. Sullivan was a Rover Scout who wandered about these mountains in the twenties and thirties. Grootrivierberge Mini Camp Recce 2- 4 June As Gavin needed to go to Johannesburg, he requested that I take over the leadership of this meet. A party of eight in two vehicles drove to Glenmore on the Grootrivier on Friday, 2 June and camped at the side of the proposed mini camp base camp. On Saturday, my party ascended Aasvoelberg near Willowmore while the other under the leadership of Eric Hosten, made a successful attempt on Flat Toppie near the base camp. On Sunday the parties explored the canals and the poort on the farm Glenmore, before returning to Port Elizabeth along some interesting byways teeming with game and birdlife. Toorwater- eastern foot of Swartberg Mountains. 15- 18 June Adri Barkhuysen Adri Barkhuysen, Nellie Myburgh, Stephie Pienaar, Helene Gabriel, Ingrid Vermaak, Eric Hosten, Isolda Williams, Zanette Starck, Werner, Debbie, Patrin and Davin Illenberger, Paul, Petra and Maxine Schoeman, Chris, Bettie and Ian Jones and Gina Pelser attended this meet. Everybody arrived in dribs and drabs but it was not long before a typical MC fire was burning merrily. The meat was sizzling nicely to the accompaniment of lots of laughter and merriment from the crowd around the fire. The evening was fresh but not too cold. We were in bed by 22h30. Next morning the first thing we did was to blow up the baby pool and of course a lot of jokes flying around with all this pumping up. Soon we had the lovely hot water bubbling out of the ground flowing per pipe into our pool and we all jumped in. By about 10h00 we met up with the rest of the party and took a hike through the Toorwater Poort along the railway tracks. It was sad to see all the dead tortoises along the track. We had lunch on the railway bridge crossing the Traka River and then walked back along the dry bed. Of course first thing we did when we got back was to all pile into the tiny pool again. But it was great fun and all got a chance to lie in the hot, iron smelling water. At least two black eagle pairs and three nests were seen in the poort of which at least one was active. We braaied again in the evening. Again it was not too cold and a lovely evening was had by all. Some of us had a night bath staring at the stars. Next morning most of us were into the pool again for another bath. Then some of us climbed Slypsteenberg. We disturbed some klipspringer at our first stop while a lone black eagle patrolled one of the kloofs to the west. The views from the top are spectacular. You could see all the way to Flattoppie, where we will host our minicamp. Had lunch on top and then did the steep down again. Proteas were at the end of their blooming but still lovely to look at. Next morning the wind came up and tore at the tents so we packed up and left after another dip in the pool, cold wind and all. A really great week end. Peak Formosa 1- 2 July This week-end was planned as a joint meet with “Voetsak” club. Apart from people belonging to both clubs, the only MCSA member to turn out was Richard Bower, our new member from Australia. The group had spent the Friday night at Langklip farm just outside Joubertina, so we only had 30 minutes drive to the dam at the base of the mountain. Eight of us set out up the mountain in excellent hiking weather, after the early morning chill dissipated. Viewing conditions on the peak were excellent- Richard claimed he saw a bungy jumper in a red shirt going off Bloukrans Bridge. The descent was made in record time (less than 100 minutes) and we repaired to our hut at Langklip farm. A social evening, an overnight stay and the group completed the weekend by walking a trail on the farm on Sunday Thornkloof- Rock 1 July This meet did not take place because of heavy rainfall. VW Rally- 7- 8 July Every year the Port Elizabeth Amateur Radio Society helps with radio communications for the VW Rally held in and around Port Elizabeth. This involves co-ordinating the rally and communicating start and end times of the different stages. A few of the Search & Rescue team who are radio amateurs volunteered to help since time accumulated during such public services can be used to upgrade their radio licences and because it’s fun. The rally started Friday afternoon with Eric ZS2ECH sitting in the radio control room from 10am to 10pm overseeing all radio communications. In spite of his best efforts, everything seemed to go according to plan. Erich ZR2KZ was driving around Friday and Saturday with the deputy marshal to keep him updated with goings on during the rally. Rudy ZR2RCG, Rob ZR2ROB, Grant ZR2GMG, Rose ZRMCR, Serge ZR2SJE and Eric ZS2ECH were posted at various stages in PE and the Longmore Forest during the rally. The whole experience was a lot of fun and good radio practice was obtained which will come in handy during search and rescue events. Guerna from Riverside 14-16 July A party of 4 adults and 3 youngsters attended this meet. On arriving at Horee Farm, the party went up the jeep track on the Saturday. The members then walked to Dial’s campsite and back to the main camp. It rained on Saturday night. On Sunday, the weather cleared. However, because of the poor condition of the jeep track, the party departed for home at about 10am. Lady’s Slipper- Rock 15 July This meet did not take place, Lady’s Slipper alien hack 22- 23 July After an excellent turn out for the last alien hack, this one was back to normal. There were 5 co-workers on Saturday and 5 on Sunday, a different party for each day. Work was concentrated on the west of the property; clearing mainly from the Huttenrauch property. Our own property saw some activity too. Although some cutting/poisoning of larger plants was done, the main action was removal of seedling black wattle and Port Jacksons. Some were only a few centimetres high. A new world record was made when 11 seedlings were pulled out in one stroke.
There were no takers for the veteran rally up the Slipper. The leader went up anyway and had an enjoyable walk. Hamerkopneskloof 30 July Willy Strydom The weather was pleasant. The party of seven entered the kloof and took a different route from the usual one. We walked to the river, which was low and took the same route back. Boulder shelter and dying Bantu 30 July This meet did not take place because of poor weather conditions. Van Staden’s forest walk 6 August A party of eight attended. The path and undergrowth were very wet following the heavy rains. It was necessary to cross a fence as the access gate was locked. Otherwise, an enjoyable walk in fine weather. The meet ended at lunchtime. Black eagle nest ringing 9 August A group of 5 left at 8am and headed for the farm Mannetjie south of the Cockscomb road. After a rough ride up on a jeep track we parked the vehicle and did a short walk to a nearby kloof on the farm Deyselsplaat. Adri and Donovan the abseiled down to take measurements of the black eagle chick and also a blood sample. We then headed back to the Cockscomb road and made our way to the farm Krompoort on the north side of the road. We had to take a detour with many gates because the shortest route was badly eroded after the recent rains The Krompoort River was still high so we had to do a short walk to get back to the site. After a nasty climb up a wet scree slope, Adri and Donovan then again abseiled down to the nest with one chick We were soon on the way home in the late evening wondering where the rest of the day had disappeared. An easy morning and very informative. SAR Practice 12-13 August One veteran and two spring chickens met at the Loerie Dam Nature Conservation Office at about 9.30am. After marveling at some of the flood damage from the recent floods, we set off along the old Gonaqua Trail that is now very overgrown and not always easy to follow. We enjoyed the company of our hostess for the first 1 ½ hours. Then she returned for a lunch date at the Hankey Hotel. She highly recommends the Sunday lunch. The early spring flowers were a delight. An early lunch was enjoyed on the outskirts of the pristine indigenous forest. We returned to the Nature Officer’s home at about 5pm and enjoyed a quick cuppa. All were home safely in PE at about 7pm. Camel Pile 18-20 August Rain prevented us from tackling Camel Pile. However, we were able to do a two day walk in the local indigenous forest. Rock NSA 19-20 August No details available at present. Masakhane Cliffs- 20 August This meet did not take place- lack of interest shown. Mini-camp recce 25-27 August Eight left early Friday afternoon from Port Elizabeth. We arrived
at the mini-campsite on the farm Glenmore before dark. We soon
had fires going for the braai and the donkey. That night it
rained for a short while. Saturday morning we met with the farmer
Steven who showed us his plans for the campsite. We then made
our way to the farm Smithskraal to look at the sub-camp campsite
and do a short walk. We climbed to the top The two parties, totalling 9 members assembled at the Groendal office at 08:00 and proceeded to Vygeboom Kloof. The Swartkops River was flowing quite strongly and Tom suggested that the parties retire to breakfast with Zeno. However, the crossing was successful with nobody having to swim. The climb up to Buffelsvlei was pleasant, the veld looked healthy and the sun shone. The vlei was full of water and four ducks were seen on the water. At this point, Moordenaarskop was removed from the agenda and we settled down to lazy lunch in the sun. The descent to the Swartkops River was in the afternoon sun and still air. The crossing of the Swartkops River was easy this time and we were back at the Groendal office by 16:30 Black eagle ringing 2 September This session of the ringing exercise did not take place. Headless Maiden 2 & 3 September Nine persons from PE and Uitenhage met Francois van Niekerk from Humansdorp via Patensie at 10am as arranged at the Elandskroon gate and successfully negotiated the very wet and muddy track to park at the tumbledown house. Mr Rudman, looking very thin, greeted us and gave us permission to park there and to hike. By 11am we were on our way criss/crossing the stream seven times and near to the top of the track traversed off to Elephant Cave for tea and snacks. This done, we traversed around the peak and down the ridge once we had sighted G-clamp Gulch and the black wattle plantation opposite. Near the bottom of the ridge, we made our various ways to the cave situated in the buttress just above stream level. The cave can comfortably accommodate about six people so four of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible on the rugged rocks. Sunday dawned overcast with a light westerly breeze and drizzle. The stream was flowing strongly after the recent rains. It seemed likely that if we crossed it to complete the ascent via the junction of the streams at the main Erasmuskloof, we could have problems crossing the stream. Therefore, we decided to return the way we came. This we did, once again enjoying tea and snacks in Elephant Cave on our way back to the cars. While changing into day gear, we were all startled by a crash as the huge dead tree next to Willie’s car thudded down to the ground, just missing the vehicle and Nellie Myburgh. The drive out along the farm road proved more difficult than the drive in had been but with the assistance of Eric Hosten’s tow-rope, Willie’s 4x4 (Francois driving) we all reached the gravel road and proceeded home. The tow-rope and 4x4 again came to the rescue, this time assisting a party of young people by pulling out their car which had skidded off the road into the ditch. Search and Rescue- September Exercise 8-9 September The meet commenced at 19h30 with Trefor Lloyd as group leader.
He ably led the team in finding the JOC via co-ordinates. The
JOC was recently established with a laptop, LCO projector and
mapping software available for use. The S&R team communicated
with the JOC on the 2 metre “HAM” frequencies. Phase
Two saw Trefor lead the team in search of a well-known cave
in the Baakens Valley using only distance and compass bearings.
Once here, Ruth Stasiak led the team on a search for clues of
a missing person from 1st Avenue, Walmer through Baakens Valley
to Target Kloof. Alexandria Forest/Woody Cape 10 September A party of nine attended the meet which took place in rainy weather. We walked along the beach and had lunch at the cliffs. As the weather did not improve, the meet ended earlier than anticipated. The party visited the Karel Landman monument on the way home. It is felt that the entrance fee of R30 to the forest area is rather high. Perhaps the club should look at the matter. Kompaniesberg 15-17 September This meet was cancelled because of poor weather conditions. Howison’s Poort 16 September This meet did not take place. National Mini-camp September, 2006 The Eastern Province and South Cape sections ran a MCSA national mini-camp in the last week of September, 2006. The co-ordinator and main organizer was Gavin McLachlan. His Eastern Cape Section assistants were Tertius Coetzee, Eric Hosten, Trefor Lloyd, Ingrid Vermaak, Nellie Mybugh and Stephen Lear. The SC section was led by Dave Jones. 96 people signed up and 88 attended. The camp was held in the eastern Karoo mountains. The Grootrivierberg main basecamp was on the farm Glenmore, about one hour’s drive from Steytlerville in the Grootrivier Valley. The landowner, Stephen Moore, added to the existing ablution block at his riverside camp an additional shower and further braaiplaces and “longdrops” to accommodate the size of the party. The riverside setting not only gave a pleasant environment for the main social area, but also meant that swimming and canoeing were available when members were not hiking. Proceedings began on Saturday 23 September, with arrivals,
booking in, setting up of tents and an official welcoming braai.
From Sunday through to Friday, there were a series of day hikes
of varying degrees of difficulty. In addition, two “sub-camps”
went out: On return of the second sub-camp and the hikes of the day on Friday, there was a final group social braai that evening. The Mini-camp broke up on Saturday 30 September, after what was judged a very worthwhile function. The Editor wishes to convey the appreciation and thanks of the committee and club to Gavin et al for an outstanding effort and to Trefor for preparing this report.
Efforts were made to ring the chick but these had to be abandoned
as the chick grew restless. These meets have been well attended. It is worth noting that a number of younger walkers have joined us.
The Editor, Cockscomb Chronicle A Challenge to boulder bashers, trad tigers, lazy hikers and peak baggers It seems to be a contradiction in terms to think of oneself as a mountaineer unless one knows, at least our local mountains well enough that at short notice one can sling one’s rucksack in the car and with fellow-climbers wander off into the mountains for a week knowing where to sleep each night with full water bottles. Our section of the MCSA has a record of about 300 stone-age living sites. So all you budding and lazy mountaineers, switch off the videos and other substitutes for real living, have a break from your adrenalin rush on the rocks and get to know the hundreds of kilometers of mountains on our doorstep. There are those in the club who are able and willing to help you with advice and the meets convenor may be persuaded to put your outing |