In this bulletin: 1) Annual Dinner – 7 May 2016 – update 2) MCSA Annual General Meeting and Elections 3) MCSA National sub-committees and other positions 4) Journal index no.4 for the years 2001-2014 5) Black Diamond Tradathon – the Ledge. Table Mountain –16 April – 2016 6) EP Section National Camp reunion invite – 27April-2 May 2016 7) Montagu Rock Rally 29/30 April – 2016 8) Supertramp Awards -2016 9) July Camp 2016 – Details 10 National Meet – 1-4 October 2016 11)) 1-2-5...Climb - 8 October - 2016 12) International conference & exhibition - Drakensberg Cable Car project - April 3-5 - 2016. 13) 125th Anniversary T-shirts 14) Youth Adventurer on the move – Wild for Change Expedition 15) UIAA 15.1) UIAA Respect the Mountains – 2016 -Programme 15.2) Update from Nepal – one year on from the earthquake 15.3) Creating First Aid Mountain Leaders in India 15.4) PractICE climbing, our guide for the future of the sport 16) facebook and web pages 17) Snippets 18) Any newsworthy items
******************************************************************* 1) ANNUAL DINNER - 7 MAY 2016 -UPDATE
The annual dinner will take place at Moyo’s restaurant Kirstenbosch on 7 May 2016 6 for 6.30pm. To book: contact Rose at: mcsacapetown@iafrica.com or call 021 465 3412 Numbers are limited to 100 people. The guest speaker is Dr Xavier Ledoux , one of the doctors who will be attending an International Mountaineering Medical Conference occurring at the same time. Dr Xavier Ledoux is a renowned French anaesthetist (in France, they add re-animator) who has been involved for many years in mountain rescue in the French Alps, mainly in Chamonix and Grenoble. He is a founder member of the ANMSM (L’Association Nationale des Médecins et des Sauveteurs en Montagne, or the National Association of Mountain Rescue Doctors and Rescuers,) established in 1990. He became well known for his application of regional anaesthesia, a powerful technique of pain relief, for mountain accident patients, even in arduous circumstances. He is currently based on St Martin in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea, a little piece of heaven. He has had an active and colourful rescue career including rescues and resuscitations in South Africa! It was on his recommendation that the MCSA is represented at ICAR in both the Helicopter and Medical Commissions.
******************************************************************* 2) MCSA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS - & May 2016 The AGM of the MCSA will take place on 7 May 2016 at 8.00 am at the Cape Town Section Clubhouse. ********************************************************************* 3) MCSA NATIONAL SUB-COMMITTTEES AND OTHER POSITIONS The MCSA has several national subcommittees and the conveners thereof will be appointed on 7 May 2016. Currently we have: Access (Roy Kendall), Expeditions (Ulrike Kiefer), IT (Vacant), Medical (Eckart von Delft), Mountain Protection (Maretha Alant), Search & Rescue (Rob Thomas) Public Relations (Marilyn Zimmerman) and Youth (Jenny Paterson). Most of these subcommittee convenors are also corresponding members on the international UIAA Commissions (four-year-terms until 2016). Alan Jarvis is a full member of the UIAA Safety Commission. Rik de Decker is on IKAR MEDCOM (International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine) and Jenny Paterson is on the Youth Commission. We have on communications: eNews editor (Bridget Carrick), Web &FB Editor (Werner Illenberger) and Journal Editor (Jenny Paterson). Our honorary auditor is Lester Coelen. All are thanked profusely for their on-going contributions thus far during the past term. If YOU would like to become involved in any way as a convener or subcommittee member, please contact your Section or Daniel Reinecke (secretary@mcsa.org.za). Our most urgent needs are for members to help with administration, training, and sponsorships.
4) JOURNAL INDEX NO. 4 FOR THE YEARS 2001 – 2014
Some years ago the National Committee decided that this index will only be web-based. The task was completed recently and has been uploaded to the MCSA website. It can be found on the following link: https://sites.google.com/a/mcsa.org.za/mcsa/home/journal-indices Also uploaded is Index No 3, for the years 1979 – 2000.
****************************************************************** 5) BLACK DIAMOND TRADATHON – THE LEDGE, TABLE MOUNTAIN –16 APRIL – 2016
This years speakers: Mike Scott, Gosia Lipinska and Richard Halsey What: 5th annual Black Diamond Tradathon – a festival
of TRAD http://www.rammountain.co.za/news/introducing-the-tradathon-2016-speakers/#.VvYO3tJ97IU
**************************************************************** 6) MCSA EP SECTION NATIONAL CAMP REUNION INVITE -27 APRIL – 2 MAY 2016
Breaking News – At the end of the National Camp in the Baviaanskloof in September last year we promised a reunion and the chance to again camp at Doringkloof. The dates have now been set for 27 April – 2 May 2016 and the EP Section of the MCSA invites you to attend this reunion/extension of the Baviaanskloof Camp and to again experience this special place with its wonderful mountains, ridges, kloofs and valleys in the company of fellow mountaineers.
Both 27 April and 2 May are public holidays so one only needs to put in leave for Thursday 28 and Friday 29 April.
The preliminary programme includes arrival and setting up camp on 27 April. From 28 April to 1 May, day walks (some new, others favourites from last year’s Camp) on Doringkloof, Zandvlakte, Damsedrif, Waterkloof, Vleikloof and Houtkloof are planned. An ascent of Bezuidenhoutsberg in the Baviaanskloof range may be attempted. The exploration of a narrow Slotkloof that no-one has been able to get into before, a possible 4x4 trip across the Kouga Mts to Kareedouw and also the opportunity of a drive into the Baviaanskloof Reserve itself to Smitskraal is planned. There are a number of self guided mountain bike routes starting and ending at the campsite. Of course you may just wish to relax in your camp chair outside your tent, read the latest climbing or travel magazine, listen to the calling of the blue cranes and fish eagles and soak up the atmosphere for a few days.
Camp participants will remember the two exceptional meals arranged for us last year by Chris Lamprecht and his family. They have again agreed to treat us to their local cuisine on the Saturday night around the campfire at the Lapa. Packing up and departing for home will be on Monday 2 May 2016.
To attend this Camp you need to register and pay the Camp fee of R800.00 not later than 15 April 2016 (this includes the cost of camping, the Saturday night meal and daily access fees. Children under 3 must still be registered but no fee is payable for them). Non members and prospective members are welcome. Their attendance will be subject to the payment of a R50.00 per day levy in addition to the registration fee.
Those who did not attend the Camp last year are more than welcome to register for this camp. The camp will be run in terms of MCSA EP Section rules. The camp is self catering except for the Saturday night. Participants need to bring all camping gear required.
There is a small shop at the campsite for emergency supplies. Braaipacks will be on sale. Please remember to bring all your own refreshments. Fridges will once again be available at the Lapa but no braai grids are supplied.
A special area will again be set aside for those with valid medical reasons for sleeping in their vehicles. As per last year all other vehicles need to be parked in the designated parking area just outside the campsite.
Registration Form: http://epmcsa.org.za/baviaans-reunion-2016/
To register please complete the registration form. EFT the R800.00 camp fee to MCSA EP Section, Standard Bank a/c no. 080379214 code 050017. Please reference your EFT to us as follows: BRC followed by your surname and the number of persons you are paying for (e.g. BRCSMITH3). Applications to attend the Camp will only be confirmed once the funds have been received.
We look forward to receiving your application and again enjoying the Baviaanskloof in your company.
Do remember that you don’t have much time so don’t delay in responding to this invitation.
Tertius Coetzee MCSA EP SECTION Baviaans Reunion Camp Organizing Committee Cell no. 0829270440
******************************************************************* 7) MONTAGU ROCK RALLY 29/30 APRIL - 2016 Attention all climbers! The Montagu Rock Rally is springing back to life this year with youthful energy – So keep the weekend of the 30th April open! This is an event for all climbers, softcore and hardcore alike. The aim is to have fun and encourage others who are trying their best, whatever their grades. If you like the competitive edge, your ego will be fuelled too! There will be great prizes – e.g. for the best dressed team (Yes, you can even wear spandex.) Have a good time, and get pumped doing so – come along and climb to your heart’s content. Bring your friends and meet new ones too. We will be hosting a banquet dinner and party at De Bos on the Saturday night after the prize giving. Planning Information Climbers will all arrive in Montagu on Friday afternoon (29th of April) or early Saturday morning (30th of April). The Rock Rally competition starts 8am on Saturday and goes till about 6pm. The Party will start around 7pm with a banquet dinner and DJ playing tunes into the night. Information and registration for the event: http://www.montaguclimbing.com/blog/montagu-rock-rally-2016/
******************************************************************* 8) SUPERTRAMP AWARDS - 2016
To celebrate the 125th year of the MCSA, here are our Supertramps who will be exploring the world: Already there: 19-year-old Micha Stiller is trekking solo for 600km in Nepal from Bhimdatta to Kathmandu Later in the year: -
Chris Arderne, Michael
Kloos and Rick Kotze will bag volcanoes in the Cordillera Neovolcanica and
climb in Mexico.
Congratulations and the best of luck to all! Sincere thanks to the donor for a cool R128 000. Attachments area - Preview attachment MCSA Supertramps 2016 update.jpg
*****************************************************************7) 9)97th JULY CAMP 2016 – LOTHENI SATURDAY 2ND TO SATURDAY 16TH JULY 2016 This year, July Camp will be held at Lotheni – a nature reserve in a remote and secluded part of the southern Drakensberg, or to give it its correct name, the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. July Camp has been there only once before and that was in 1996, the year of the ‘Big Snow’, so 20 years later seems a good time to return! This site offers wide vistas with striking views of Redi, Hawk and Tent and to the north stands Giant’s Castle. The name Lotheni means ‘in the ashes’ referring to the burnt appearance of the shale found in the Lotheni River. The area is well watered by a number of rivers. There are several waterfalls and pools to delight the brave who want to swim, or the photo-enthusiast who prefers to experience the Berg through the lens of a camera or the trout fisherman (fishing licences are available from the Office). Both the Little Berg and the Escarpment call to the hiker to come and explore them. Mountain-biking is an option that is permitted in the reserve. Our Base Camp will be situated alongside the Lotheni River, in a part of the reserve that is well known for its grassland and marshland bird life. When we were at the Campsite on one of the recce trips, we disturbed a Reedbuck right at the Campsite. That seemed a very inviting omen.
The brochure and application forms are available and are on the KZN Section webpage. Or contact Rikki Abbot Wedderburn ronwedd@netactive.co.za Cell: 082 538 5389 Tel: 033 2392 374 or Mike Coke cokemd@the cokes.co.za who is handling the booking. http://kzn.mcsa.org.za/meets/july-camp
To acquaint yourself with the area, the relevant maps are the KZNatal Drakensberg Park Hiking Map nos. 4 and 5 which are available from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, P O Box 13609, Cascades, 3202 or customerservice@kznwildlife.com. Black and white MCSA Berg maps will be available in the Camp.
********************************************************************* 10) NATIONAL MEET 1 – 4 October 2016
The National Meet will take place in the Cedarberg from 1 to 4 October. We have booked all the chalets & camp sites at Sandrif for the Meet.
******************************************************************** 11) 1-2-5...CLIMB - 8 OCTOBER 2016
The Mountain Club of South Africa is celebrating its 125th birthday on 8 October 2016. We would like all members to join up, invite friends and the public so as to climb at least 125 routes and peaks, especially on 8 October 2016, but also during the period of 1 to 16 October 2016.
We hope to raise awareness about our Club and our mountains as well as to mountaineer, climb and have fun!
Go Wild! Climb in one of the outlaying or unknown mountain ranges or on your doorstep; bag a first ascent or do the 100th ascent of one; climb our highest peaks or stroll up a hill; go alone or convince the town mayor (and especially some reporters or even TV crews) to accompany you or you can even maybe organise an outreach meet. Register your peak or route NOW: www.mcsamagalies.co.za
Explore – Discover - Connect – Protect: Hike or climb! One Hundred and Twenty Five Years of the MCSA!! 8 October 2016
******************************************************************** 12) INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION ON THE DRAKENSBERG CABLE CAR PROJECT APRIL 3-5 - 2016.
The conference, which will be attended by cable car and tourism authorities from across the world, will be held at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. The plan to build the cable car, which is set to radically alter the province’s tourism landscape, is part of the province’s 20 year tourism master plan aimed at sharpening KwaZulu-Natal’s competition edge. http://www.5stardurban.co.za/kzns-dream-of-having-its-own-cable-way-moves-closer-to-reality/ www.drakensbergcablecar.org.za http://mini.iol.co.za/travel/travel-news/durban-to-host-cable-car-conference-2000714?page=1
The conference is by invitation only and any requests to attend will be vetted accordingly.
********************************************************************
13) 125th ANNIVERSARY T-SHIRTS
This is the design of the proposed t-shirt. The 125th logo will be on the right side, opposite the FA logo. Details have been sent to your Section.
********************************************************************* 14) YOUTH ADVENTURER ON THE MOVE – WILD FOR CHANGE EXPEDITION
Bernie Theron, youth member of Magaliesberg Section, teamed up with Wild Factor (http://wildfactor.co.za/ ) for this challenging undertaking! Wild Factor’s main goal is to successfully run the 2016 Wild for Change Project, raising awareness and funds for climate change projects in Africa. They partnered up with social enterprise Green Pop (www.greenpop.org) to achieve this (do check out their website – established in 2010, they have in the interim planted over 60 000 trees in South Africa, Zambia and Tanzania!) Wild Factor plans to plant at least 22 trees in each country Bernie visits. Duration: ± 9 months; challenge? Survival, paddling (550 km), hiking (900 km) cycling (13 000 km)! Bernie received financial support from the MCSA’s Centenary Journal Youth Fund and extra from an anonymous donor. Follow him on: https://www.facebook.com/wildfactorsa/ https://www.instagram.com/bernie_theron/ https://twitter.com/wildfactorsa
********************************************************************* 15) UIAA
15.1) UIAA RESPECT THE MOUNTAINS – 2016 PROGRAMME The UIAA is delighted to announce the provisional calendar for the 2016 UIAA Respect the Mountains Series. The UIAA Respect the Mountains project, supported by KEEN, comprises a series of events organized across Europe aimed at promoting a sustainable mountain environment for future generations. These events encourage local sport enthusiasts, mountain visitors, tourists and outdoor sport companies to actively participate. Each event is wrapped in a fun one-day experience consisting of a morning clean-up action, followed by lunch and outdoor sport activities. http://www.theuiaa.org/uiaarespectthemountains.html mountainprotection@theuiaa.org
15.2) UPDATE FROM NEPAL – ONE YEAR ON FROM THE EARTHQUAKE Ang Tshering Sherpa, President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and Honorary Member of the UIAA, shares the latest news from Nepal in the aftermath of last year’s devastating earthquake. http://www.theuiaa.org
15.3) CREATING FIRST AID MOUNTAIN LEADERS IN INDIA Medcom approved course devised to enhance the skills of the country’s mountaineers will be organized by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) in June and July 2016. http://www.theuiaa.org
15.4) PractICE CLIMBING - OUR GUIDE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE SPORT The UIAA has published a guide to the sport of ice climbing, dedicated to member federations, athletes, national bodies, event organizers and also ice climbing lovers who want to improve their skills and knowledge. http://www.theuiaa.org
********************************************************************* 16) FACEBOOK AND WEB PAGES
National: https://www.facebook.com/Mountain-Club-of-South-Africa-181163071916739/ MCSA Search and Rescue Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/MCSASAR Cape Town: https://www.facebook.com/MountainClubOfSouthAfricaCT EP: www.facebook.com/MCSAEPSection Free State https://www.facebook.com/MCSAFS Hottentotsholland: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-Club-of-South-Africa-Hottentots-Holland-Section/385143928232942 Johannesburg: https://www.facebook.com/groups/141752442885/ KZN: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_185119868204602 Magaliesberg: https://sites.google.com/site/mcsamagaliesberg Magaliesberg: www.mcsamagalies.co.za Namibia: http://www.mcnam.org/ Paarl/Wellington: https://www.facebook.com/PaarlWellingtonMCSA South Cape: https://mcsasc.wordpress.com/ Stellenbosch: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_132651793466552 Tygerberg: https://www.facebook.com/bksa.tygerberg and http://sites.google.com/site/bksatygerberg Worcester: http://www.mcsawor.co.za https://www.facebook.com/mcsawor Links for all section's web pages are all on the national webpage.
********************************************************************* 17) SNIPPETS
17.1) HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SA LEG OF THE BMC MEET: FEB - MAR -2016http://www.rammountain.co.za/news/a-few-highlights-from-the-sa-leg-of-the-bmc-meet-feb-mar-2016/#.VvYMC9J97IU17.2) 14 YEAR OLD ACHIEVES HARDEST BOULDER CLIMB EVER DONE BY A WOMAN
A week before her 15th birthday, Ashima Shiraishi, the unlikely climbing prodigy from New York City, got an early present. During a spring-break trip to Japan, she climbed a boulder problem with a difficulty rating of V15—essentially, at the current limit of climbing difficulty. This makes Shiraishi not only the first woman to climb a V15 boulder problem, but also the youngest person, male or female, ever to do so. http://adventureblog.nationalgeographic.com
17.3) 4000m CLIMBING THE HIGHEST MOUNTIANS OF THE ALPS – DAVE WYNNE-JONES
This
is a memoir of his quest to climb the 4000m mountains of the Alps, illustrated
by the very best mountain photography and enriched by chapters on the
distinctive features of alpine climbing. His words and photos grasp the alpine
experience in its varied forms that were shared with each climbing partner over
the years and which is open to anyone with the same commitment. Jenna Irvine Promotions
17.4) AFRICAN MOUNTAIN HONEYBEES IN THE LIGHT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Honeybees are major pollinators of both native flora and agriculturally important crops. The crucial services rendered by both wild and managed bees is said to be responsible for the pollination of about 33% of agricultural and other pollinator-dependent crops.
Africa is often described as a hotspot of honeybee evolution and diversity. This is supported by the fact that the continent is home to eleven of the twenty-four known sub-species or races of the western honeybee Apis mellifera. However, this assertion may change if we are not careful, according to a recent review article titled ‘Honeybees health in Africa: A review’ published in a special issue of Apidologie by researchers from the Social Insects Research Group at the University of Pretoria. http://www.blogs-mri.org/?p=1036
17.5) MRI INVITATION TO THE 1ST AFRIGEOSS SYMPOSIUM TO BE HELD IN VICTORIA FALLS FROM 27 TO 29 APRIL - 2016
The Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) in collaboration with the University of Zimbabwe, Department of Geography and Environmental Science (UZ-DGES) invite you to participate in the 1st AfriGEOSS Symposium to be held at Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from 27 to 29 April 2016. The Symposium structure and content was ably developed by a Technical Committee comprising representatives from more than twenty African countries. http://mri.scnatweb.ch/mri-background
17.6) AFROMONT – WORKSHOP ON INVASIVES – CAPE TOWN MAY 02 -06
17.7) An ultra-high-resolution NASA computer model has given scientists a stunning new look at how carbon dioxide in the atmosphere travels around the globe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1SgmFa0r04&feature=youtu.be
******************************************************************* QUOTE ‘Respect their beauty, their majesty, and their power, and they will treat you as you deserve: approach them ignorantly or in the spirit of bravado and they will destroy you.’ Kamet Conquered by F S Smythe.
********************************************************************* 18) Any newsworthy items for inclusion in MCSA National News can be sent to the Editor, Bridget Carrick: bridget.carrick7@gmail.com |
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