Activities
Climbing
The Section's main activity is undoubtedly rock climbing, and everything related to that. We are fortunate in South Africa to have an abundance of rock, and the weather to enjoy that rock throughout the year. In reasonable distance to Johannesburg there are a number of crags where the MCSA goes on a regular basis.
There are what are commonly know as Trad Areas, and Sport Areas. Trad climbing refers to climbing in places where there is no fixed protection, and everything (or almost everything) has to be placed by the leader, in the form of camming devices like nuts, friends and slings. Trad climbing areas like this include the Magaliesberg and wild, big places like Blouberg. Sport climbing refers to climbing in places where fixed protection - normally bolts with hangers - are in place, and all you need is a rope and quickdraws (harness etc) to climb safely. Boven also know as "The Restaurant", Struben's Valley in the West of Jo'burg, Everest and Swinburne near Harrismith, and a newly developed crag; Wellington's Dome, fit into the category of Sport.
The best way to get good at climbing (after having done an introductory meet) is to go out with members who know all the tricks of the trade, and learn from them. There are some really hard core people amongst our members who have done some awesome stuff.
Route Books
The Section has published a number of route books for climbing areas and keeps stocks of these. It takes a lot of time to collate all the information and put out a hard copy route book. Route books can be purchased from the Mountain Club - give us a call, or come to a Wednesday social to pick up a route guide and some stories! We also keep stock of route books published by other publishers.
Currently available route books are:-
Upper Tonquani
Lower Tonquani, Cedarberg and Boulder Kloof
Mhlabatini & Fernkloof
Grootkloof, Ysterhout & Groblerskloof
Trident, Kranskloof & Castle Gorge
Hamerkop & Breedtsnekkloof
Krantzberg
Drakensberg Climbs (2003)
Crags of Gauteng. - Including:- Strubens, Chosspile, Vrede, Radioactive, Wellington's Dome (Rory Lowther)
Table Mountain Classics (Blue Mountain)
Blouberg (Southern Rock)
Magaliesberg (Southern Rock)
Bolting
Over the last couple of years sport climbing has become increasingly popular in South Africa. Sport climbing involves the use of fixed protection in the rock in the form of bolts which are either glued or expansion fitted with hangers to clip into. Putting up a sport route requires a lot of effort and expense. The Section actively assists members financially who bolt in sport areas.
Check out the bolting policy.
Hiking
To get to rock, you often need to hike. And so our members are also into hiking. Many even enjoy just hiking, with places like the Drakensberg being popular destinations. But, there are hundreds of places where our members go hiking including all the climbing venues. The hiking that the club does is largely on an informal basis, where the emphasis is on a adventure, off the beaten track, and exploring new or seldom visited places. You won't find 50 people in a row following footprints! Remember, that you don't need to be able to climb to go on our meets.
Socials
We meet on Wednesdays at 19h30. Shows from 1 Sept 2004 are to start at 8pm (not 8:30 as previously) Our clubhouse is situated at the Girl Guide Hall, Stirling Street, Waverley, Johannesburg. It’s a good time to network, meet members, drink cheap beer (gluhwein in winter), and find out what’s happening. We often have slide shows of expeditions or trips that our members have made, or lectures on whatever our members find interesting. The clubhouse also has a library with a collection of mountaineering-related books and magazines, available to members.
There is also an annual dinner hosted by the Club. This year it is being hosted by the Paarl-Wellington Section at the Simonsvlei Estate. The Jhb Section is even providing funding for a few members wishing to go down.
Expeditions
When you've done your apprenticeship in the local mountains and want something bigger, or something covered in snow and ice, expeditions are the way to go. The club has undertaken a number of expeditions throughout the years to foreign and often unexplored areas of the world. Assistance in this regard is often given to members to help finance such trips, or to provide essential equipment like high altitude first aid kits or the hyperbatic chamber, which the club recently purchased.
The July Camp hosted by the KwaZulu Natal Section, is run every year in some part of the Drakensberg. Groups go out on multi-day hikes and climbs, or just for day walks. What makes these camps special, is not only that they have been going for over 75 years and are steeped in tradition, but that hot steaming coffee gets served to you in your tent in camp every morning!
Newsletters and the Journal
The Section sends out a regular newsletter which contains a meetlist and clubhouse activities. The Club also publishes a yearly Journal for our members.
Land and Access
In most cases the club makes use of private land: certain areas are owned by the club and certain farms have servitudes registered in the club's name. As the club's use of this land is based on the goodwill built up between the owner and the club over the years, such privileges are closely guarded.
Meets
Our main area of activity is the Magaliesberg range, where there is great rock climbing, camping and hiking. We also visit areas in the Northern Province, Mpumalanga and the Drakensberg. At most of the weekend meets those who are interested in camping can do so.
Click here for the current Meet list
Conservation
In addition to climbing and hiking, the club is actively involved in Conservation. With 2002 being the International Year of the Mountains, there is a strong drive by the Mountain Club to educate the public about the mountains that are such a valuable resource to us.
Search & Rescue
The Mountain Club of South Africa has several Search and Rescue teams in the various regions. These teams are committed to high standards and train regularly. Working closely with organisations such as the South African Air Force, and local governmental bodies, the teams are comprised of volunteer members.
Click here for Info about the local MSAR team
Training
You've seen people scaling vertical or overhanging rock faces, you've been climbing with a friend at a local climbing gym, and now you want to get onto rock and see what it is all about. The Section offers an introductory course to rock climbing at Strubens Valley, in the West of Joburg, where one can learn some basics of rock climbing and get to touch real rock for the first time. If that grabs you, there is a follow on course in the Magaliesberg over a weekend, where things get serious.
If the dates do not suit you, or you want individual or small group training, there are a number of professional trainers and guides who would be happy to take you out and show you the ropes. The Mountain Development Trust (MDT) and South African Mountain Guides Association (SAMGA) are bodies that have accredited trainers and guides to get you going.