| MBC Overnight Hike Fixtures 2025-Q1 |
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| Note: |
Members - direct hike costs only |
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Non-members - request contribution to costs of R100pp / hike |
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| Dates (days) |
Description |
Dist / Elevation |
Leader |
Contact |
Grd |
| 4-5 January (2) |
Giant's Castle: Meander Hut and exploration of the area. Cost R120 pppn. Max. 8 people. |
10 km 125 m |
John & Christine Pickup |
WhatsApp or phone 072-1512031 or 082-7826025 |
3 |
| 11-12 January (2) |
Only a day hike currently planned for this weekend, see below. |
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| 18-19 January (2) |
Highmoor: Overnight in Aasvoëlkrans Cave. Ideal hike for beginners or those unsure of their fitness. Bring your costume if you want to swim. |
10 km
100 m |
Farouk |
WhatsApp 081-5308447 |
3 |
| 18-19 January (2) |
Cobham: Sani Pass Cobham Outpost to Pholela Hut and back via Ngenwa Pool. Vehicles will be left at the Cobham Outpost. Pholela Hut accommodation is R130 pp, and it has electricity. |
28 km |
Zanele |
083-2951682
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3 |
| 18-19 January (2) |
Cathedral Peak: Xeni Cave clean-up. Bring gloves, mask and heavy duty plastic bag as well as your swimming cossie. Swimming cossie is for an afternoon swim. Return via contour path. |
20 km |
John & Christine Pickup |
WhatsApp or phone 072-1512031 or 082-7826025 |
3 |
| 25-26 January (2) |
Garden Castle: Wilson's Cave via Castle View farm, returning via The Island, John's Cave and John's Pool. |
25 km 460 m |
Dave |
Telegram 074-5803511
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3.5 |
| 1-2 February (2) |
Giant's Castle: Martial Eagle Cave via the Bannerman Hut contour path, returning via the World's View path. |
20 km 605 m |
Dave |
Telegram 074-5803511
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3.5 |
| 8-9 February (2) |
Royal Natal National Park (RNNP): Circular route up The Crack and down the Mudslide on Saturday - 10 km, 600 m altitude gain. On Sunday, a relaxing hike to the Cascades - 3 km. Hikers can bring their costume and towel if they want to go for a dip. You can book to tent at the Mahai Campsite or in a chalet at the Tendele Camp. Other resorts also available close to the RNNP. |
14 km 600 m |
Farouk |
WhatsApp 081-5308447 |
3 |
| 15-16 February (2) |
Cobham: Pimple Cave via The Policeman. Also visit Outlook Cave and Recluse Cave. Return via Siphongweni Valley, Mzimkhulwana Hut and the Giant’s Cup Trail. |
24 km 500 m |
Dave |
Telegram 074-5803511
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3.5 |
| 22-23 February (2) |
Garden Castle: Wave Cave via the Giant's Cup Trail and Hidden Valley, returning via Black Rock Cave and Ramp Cave. |
26 km 495 m |
Dave |
Telegram 074-5803511
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3.5 |
| 1-2 March (2) |
Vergelegen: Kaula Cave from the SA border post at the bottom of Sani Pass. Some unmarked ways-to-go. |
26 km 540 m |
Dave |
Telegram 074-5803511
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3.5 |
| 8-9 March (2) |
No hike currently planned for this weekend |
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| 15-16 March (2) |
Cobham: Gxalingenwa Cave via Emerald Stream. Return via The Hub, Fingall's Rock and Pholela River. |
36 km 900 m |
Dave |
Telegram 074-5803511
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3.5 |
| 21-23 March (3) |
Bushman's Nek to St Bernard's Peak: Ist night in tent half way. 2nd night at St Bernard's Peak Lodge. Approximately R1500 for night at St Bernard's incl. dinner, bed, breakfast and transport back to vehicles at Bushman's Nek. R80 wilderness overnight fee. Tents required |
40 km |
John & Christine Pickup |
WhatsApp or phone 072-1512031 or 082-7826025 |
3.5 |
| 21-23 March (3) |
Royal Natal National Park (RNNP): Mahai campsite.Day hikes to the bottom of the falls and other areas, or simply read a book and chill out. Camping fees to be confirmed in the new year. |
Various |
Ryan |
WhatsApp 073-4517000 |
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| 21-23 March (3) |
Garden Castle: Wilson's Cave via Castle View farm. Ascend Pitsaneng Pass West and tent above Sandleni Cave. Return via Sandleni Pass. |
45 km 1325 m |
Dave |
Telegram 074-5803511
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3.5 |
| 29-30 March (2) |
Cobham: Venice Cave via Lakes Cave and Glade Cave. Return via Weaver Cave, middle route and Siphongweni Rock. |
35 km 530 m |
Dave |
Telegram 074-5803511
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3.5 |
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| DAY HIKES |
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| 11-Jan-25 |
Virginia Bush Durban North. Brisk pace, sensible shoes - some steep parts. Pre-book by Thursday 9 Jan, 09h00 start, The Box, Virginia Soccer field (off Virginia Circle, corner of Danville Ave) |
5km 100m |
Heidi |
0827064283
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| ADVANCE NOTICE |
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| Dates (days) |
Description |
Dist / Elevation |
Leader |
Contact |
Grd |
| 20 April - 4 May 2025 (1 travel +14 hiking) |
Drakensberg Grand Traverse: Sentinel car park to Bushman's Nek. |
245 km |
Dave |
Telegram 074-5803511
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5 |
| 26-28 April 2025 (3) |
Giant's Castle: Grand Traverse resupply via Bannerman Pass. |
TB |
TBA |
TBA |
5 |
| 9-14 May 2025 (6) |
Coastal Hike: Slackpacking trip from Scottborough to Sunwich Port (Port Shepstone) along the beach. Moderate fitness level required, with the ability to swim being an advantage! |
66 km |
Ryan |
WhatsApp 073-4517000 |
3 |
| 16-19 July 2025 (4) |
Leopard Trail: Baviaanskloof. Good hiking fitness required. Slackpacking excursion. Bookings essential and limited space available. |
60 km |
Ryan |
WhatsApp 073-4517000 |
4 |
| 9 August 2025 (Saturday) |
Dargle, iNhlosana memorial hike from Mount Park |
4.5km |
Mike |
WhatsApp 0828723917 |
3 |
| 17-21 November 2025 (5) |
Otter trail. Storms River Mouth to Grootrivier mouth. Garden Route. |
44km |
Ryan |
WhatsApp 073-4517000 |
4 |
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| SOCIALS |
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| Thursday 9 January 2025 |
MBC AGM German Club, Westville & via Zoom. 19h00 for a 19h30 start, come early to grab a bite to eat and a drink beforehand |
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| Thursday 13 February 2025 |
MBC social |
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| Thursday 13 March 2025 |
MBC social |
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| Please note that only events arranged by the Mountain Backpackers' Club's committee and its leaders is considered to be club events. Anyone who participates in any event arranged by the Mountain Backpackers' Club, does so entirely at their own risk, and agrees to hold the club, its leaders, its committee and its members blameless in the event of any damage, loss, injury or death. This includes travelling to and from activities. |
| All participants in any event, agree to abide by the code of conduct of the Mountain Bakcpackers' Club, including but not limited to the following actions: |
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| 1. At all times the instructions of the hike leader will be followed and s/he will be given the full cooperation of all group membrers. No hike participant will go ahead of the leader or leave the group without his/her express permission. |
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| 2. The MBC register and indemnity form will be signed by every hike participant, at every hike, which will include the first name, surname, club membership number and/or ID / Passport number |
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| 3. Next of kin's contact telephone number and and medical problems, medical aid scheme and membership number |
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| 4. Absolutely NO LITTERING of any sort, including fruit peels, cigarette butts, wipes and tissue will be tolerated. Each hike member will carry his/her own waste out. |
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| 5. All human waste will be properly buried away from paths and cave / camp areas |
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| Note: Any leader has the authority, on their hike, to decline participation. This could include, but not limited to, concerns over safety, preparedness or fitness. |
