The Mountain Club of South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal Section
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96th JULY CAMP at HIGHMOOR - Saturday 27 JUNE to Saturday 11 July 2015
This year, July Camp again will be held in a very aptly named venue – Highmoor. It is just that; a high moor and so much
more, sensational views of the Berg that stretch for ever and are beautiful throughout the day. It is also well known for its trout
dams and birdlife. We have been there only once before and that was in 2005, so a decade later seems a good time to return!
The Camp will be based on a high plateau, alongside the Little Mooi River, in an area in the Park that is well known for its
grassland bird life. Last time we were there I had an unbelievable sight of an otter family ‘on trek’ from one stream course to
the next, quite high overland, opposite the Camp. I was able to watch them for more than the usually fleeting, glance of “was
that an otter’, “Yes, I think so.” No mistake – it was the best view of otters I have ever had.
The Camp will lie above the Little Mooi River and no doubt, as before, the nearby caves, Caracal Cave and Aasvoelkrans
Cave, will prove very popular. There are several routes into the high Little Berg and beyond. This area of the Berg offers a
range of options with excellent day walks in the vicinity of the trout dams and along the high plateau. The Contour Path is
accessed via a ridge walk to the vicinity of the Giant’s Hut and is a moderate day’s walk from Base Camp. Thereafter one can
choose to continue northwards on the Contour Path with a choice of three passes - Giant’s Castle Pass, Langalibalele’s Pass
and Bannerman’s Pass (with Spare Rib Cave a convenient overnighting spot). From there you can go to the top as a day trip
and come back down again, or you can traverse southwards with magnificent views of both Lesotho and KZN. Then you can
descend via either of the passes already mentioned. Tents will be needed. The contour path south from Giant’s is poorly
defined and only for the brave of heart and the fit. You would ascend Giant’s Castle Pass, turn south and then descend via
Lotheni Pass. Route finding will probably be tricky. The Eastern Gully on Giant’s that feeds the Ncibidwane River is likely to
be snowed up (iced up?). For the experienced climbers (weather permitting) there are two good routes on Giant’s - Sherman’s
Route and Ted Scholes’ Route. Both Bannerman’s and Giant’s huts should not be considered as providing any equipment or
even weatherproof shelter.
To get there from Durban take the N3 towards Harrismith. Then take Exit 132 towards Nottingham Road. After about 7.4 km
turn right onto the R103. Travel on the R103 towards Rosetta for about 7.1km, then turn left opposite the Ugly Duckling Craft
Shop. Do not worry that the road sign says Kamberg. After some distance the road to Kamberg turns off left. Take the sign
that says Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse and Highmoor. Distance from Rosetta to Highmoor is about 41km.
To get there from Harrismith, take the N3 towards Durban. Then take Exit 143 Mooi River, from there take the R103
towards Rosetta. After about 10km, opposite the Ugly Duckling Craft Shop, turn right. After that, the directions are as above.
NOTE: The road between Rosetta and Highmoor is potholed. Please travel carefully on this section.
If you have the new Natal Drakensberg Park Hiking Map no 4 (HIGHMOOR – Giant’s Castle, Kamberg, Mkhomazi) or the
older Department of Forestry Map of the CENTRAL Berg (Highmoor, Mkhomazi, Lotheni, Injisuthi, Giant’s Castle), you will
be able to find the Base Camp spot in the vicinity of the end of the track from the office. And for those of you have gone
technical, the co-ordinates are S29° 19’ 47.3” E29° 36’ 44”. The relevant black and white July Camp maps will be available
in Base Camp.
On arrival, PLEASE go to the office and unload your kit, as usual, at the dumpsite and Ezemvelo KZNWildlife will ferry it in
for you. You will have to carry all your own kit from the unloading point to the Camp; down to the river, across the river and
up to the plateau on the other side. In your own interests, please bring only a reasonable amount of luggage and kit e.g. small
tents rather than larger tents that are heavy and awkward to carry. The distance from the carpark to the Base Camp is 1.6km.
Please note that there will be NO PORTERS available.
We will be back to the traditional style July Camp, but with further solar improvements. The Advance Party intend refining,
yet further, last year’s rain shelters that also did great work as shade shelters while eating and offered the opportunity for
slinging overhead solar lighting. Above all, we will have reliable shelter for the kitchen staff.
PLEASE NOTE: The Camp dates have been set to accommodate two full weeks of school holidays for ALL provinces and
will run from Saturday 27 JUNE to Saturday 11 July 2015. Last year, the tween- and the teen-agers and our young adults,
as well as all the other age groups all had very good trips. We would like to see a return of the very young members again so
that we can have the widest spread of all age groups. Campers can attend for the whole period, or either week, or for just a few
days. Campers who plan to arrive or depart at midweek are very welcome but will have to carry all their own personal kit at
midweek.
PLEASE BOOK EARLY!
JULY CAMP 2015 WILL OFFER:
o superb mini sub-camps, sub-camps and longer hikes in the Little Berg and/or on the Escarpment
o satisfying day walks from short, to moderate or very long) with views, forests, waterfalls, streams and spectacular
rock formations
o exploring for rock art sites, by arrangement
o excellent opportunities for game viewing, bird-watching and Berg photography
o comparison between Berg grassland, protea open woodland and patches of indigenous forest
o game sightings could include eland, oribi, reedbuck, grey rhebuck, duiker and blesbok, amongst others
● Applications to attend the Camp:
Each Camper should apply to attend July Camp on a separate copy of the enclosed form and indicate his/her preferences,
abilities, and membership status of MCSA. N. B. Non-member visitors are very welcome! Children are very welcome (and
have become an integral part of the Camp) and are to be accompanied by a parent (or other adult), taking full responsibility for
them at all times. Campers are assigned to parties according to their ability and preferences. Prospective leaders are asked to
indicate the type of party they would like to lead. All Campers, for their own convenience and safety, should be reasonably fit
and well equipped.
● DIRECTIONS TO THE BASE CAMP
Please do not take either the Oliviershoek pass or the route to Nottingham Road via Underberg, both these look
temptingly shorter but are NOT RECOMMENDED.
*Parking will beyond the Office, as directed by the Officer-in-Charge.
*Leave your kit at the MCSA kit dumpsite
*Those wanting to choose the best sites are advised to carry in their own tents or ensure that their kit is at the dump
site well in time for the earlier trip, i.e. 12:00 sharp! (N.B Not Mountain Club time!).
*In any event, carry warm clothes with you.
If you need any further details, please phone Rikki Abbott Wedderburn on 082 538 5389 or 033 2392274 (Home),
Margaret Brown on 033 3472009 (Home) or 082 055 2143; or Mike Coke 083 321 8841.
HIKING FEES, CARDS and PASSPORTS
 Leaders wanting to stay in caves will have to take potluck and book them at the Office during the Camp, or let the
Organiser know, well in advance, so that she can make an early booking.
 MCSA members are required to carry their current membership cards with them.
 Campers intending to go up to the Escarpment must also carry their passports with them.
 For EVERY TRIP, be it a day-walk or a sub-camp, Campers will have to complete the appropriate Mountain
Register before leaving the Base Camp and the Leader must carry the tear-off counterfoil.
BASE CAMP
Campers are required to bring their own lightweight mountain tents - sub-zero temperatures can be expected. Strong
winds, snow or rain are not uncommon. If you plan to take your own tent sub-camping, there is a large MCSA tent where
you can store your excess kit.
● Base Camp meals are prepared and served by the Camp staff, but we ALL do our own washing up.
● Limited hot water will be available at the superior, state of the art, camp-style bathrooms.
● After supper, weather permitting, we gather in the campfire enclosure for a fire, singsong or chat and hot drink.
TRANSPORT OF CAMPERS’ KIT
PLEASE NOTE:
● Please keep your kit to the minimum.
● Official transport to the Base Camp will leave this point at the following times, sharp:
Saturday 27 June 2015, from the dump site to Base Camp – 12h00 and 15h00
Saturday from 4 July, from Base Camp to the dump site - 09h00
Saturday from 4 July 2015, from the dump site to Base Camp – 12h00 and 15h00
Saturday from 11 July 2015 from Base Camp to the dump site – 09h00
However, in the event of very bad weather, if the tractor transport cannot negotiate the track or is involved in fighting fires, it
may be necessary for Campers to carry ALL their own kit to and from the Base Camp back to the parking area. SO, in
your own interests, PLEASE LIMIT YOUR KIT TO REASONABLE AMOUNTS and pack it securely.
NOTE: EMPHATICALLY NO ARMCHAIRS. They will not be loaded on to the transport and will be left at the
dumpsite.
Campers arriving, or leaving, at times other than thosegiven above will be responsible for getting ALL their own kit to
and from the Base Camp. NOTE: There are NO PORTERS.
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KIT REQUIRED
- Lightweight tent and bedding suitable for sub-zero temperatures with wind, snow and/or rain
- Clothing (generally, the days are sunny and mild, but the nights are intensely cold)
- Waterproof and windproof gear
- Personal first aid kit, sun-hat and sun-barrier creams
- Torch and spare batteries
- Toiletries
- Boots (sturdy, supportive, water-repellant, strong Vibram–type soles! Other shoes are NOT suitable! But gumboots are
useful for wet weather and frosty mornings
- Water bottle
- Rucksack appropriate to intended activities
- Two eating kits - one for use in Base Camp (to be retrieved at the end of Camp), the other for your trips
- Plastic bucket/ basin to carry water and to wash clothes
- Biodegradable soap and shampoo
- A clothesline and a few pegs are useful
- If required, a folding stool or SMALL folding chair (NB: NO ARMCHAIRS will be allowed in Camp)
- Preferred sweets, drinks and snacks to share at the campfire or while out on sub-camps and/or day trips
- Plastic bags for your food.
- TWO large rubbish bags – the ‘carry in, carry out’ principle applies. Please keep ALL the rubbish YOU have
generated either in Base Camp and on day-trips/sub-camps and TAKE ALL OF IT AWAY WITH YOU.
- To plan your trip in advance or acquaint yourself with the area, the relevant map is the Natal Drakensberg Park
Hiking Map no. 4 (Giant’s Castle, Highmoor, Kamberg, Mkhomazi and Lotheni) which is available from Ezemvelo,
P O Box 13609, Cascades, 3202 or [email protected]
- Black and white MCSA Berg maps will also be available in the Camp.
- NO OPEN FIRES ARE ALLOWED in the Berg, ONLY STOVES may be used for cooking
PLEASE NOTE: NO FUEL OF ANY SORT will be provided in Base Camp.
- If you plan to join a sub-camping party, please bring cooking utensils/billies, containers, plastic bags, stove plus all
your fuel, spare fuel containers and gas, if using a gas stove. Then the leader can select the best equipment for the
trip. These items are not provided by the Camp.
NOTE:
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



Camping stoves MAY NOT BE USED IN BASE CAMP because of the fire hazard.
Open flames, and that includes candles and candle lanterns, may not be used for the same reason.
Camp fees include a standard selection of food for all meals in Base Camp and on day trips
Pre-packed, lightweight food is provided for sub-camping trips
If leaders want to plan their catering, a copy of the food list can be sent via e-mail or posted
Campers with specific dietary needs are advised to provide for their own requirements
COST – PLEASE NOTE:
a) The FEES FOR THE CAMP ARE: (R255 per adult per night); (13 to 18 years – R215); (6 to 13 years – R155); and
(under 6 years – R115).
b) If you are NOT a member of MCSA, or an affiliated Club, there is an additional Visitor’s Levy of R 80.00, which can be
redeemed against future membership of the KZ-N Section of the MCSA.
July Camp reserves the right to retain a 20% booking fee in respect of cancellations. Please note, refunds will only be
made if cancellations are received before 12 June 2015, as all the food for the Camp will be calculated and ordered
during the following weeks.
● PAYMENT and CLOSING DATE
N.B. Once again, Mike Coke will be handling the applications and bookings.
a) Application forms and full payment must be received by Mike on or before Sunday, 31 May 2015.
b) NO CHEQUES will be accepted due to high bank charges on cheques.
c) Alternatively, if making a cash deposit, please include the applicable cash deposit fee.
Account details are: Standard Bank, Howick: Branch code: 058325: Account number: 058122133
If needed, the Swift Code is SBZA ZA JJ
www.standardbank.co.za
● PLEASE INCLUDE PROOF OF PAYMENT WITH YOUR APPLICATION.
Late entries (after Monday 2 June, 2014) will be accepted only if the Camp is not fully booked.
● FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, QUERIES AND ADDITIONAL FORMS:
The Convenor, July Camp Sub-Committee (Rikki Abbott Wedderburn)
Telephones: (Home) 033 2392 374 (Cell) 082 538 5389
E-mail:
[email protected]
● URGENT MESSAGES:
From Monday 22 June to Friday 26 June, 2015, the July Camp Advance Party will already be in the Berg preparing the
Camp. For urgent messages, try the cell numbers given above or contact the Officer-in-Charge at Highmoor: Telephone
numbers 033 267 7240 or 072 1909 612
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REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE EZEMVELO KZ-N WILDLIFE
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Organisers have been informed that there are a few people who feel that there are too many rules etc. Please remember
that for over 90 years, July Camp has been granted very special privileges, by the Natal Parks Board, the Forestry Department
and now Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. These include for the use of vehicles in areas normally forbidden to other groups or
individuals, making the Base Camp fires in the tinder-dry conditions of midwinter (no other groups or individuals are
permitted to make fires at any time of the year!!!). Over the years these privileges have been extended to us because we have
been rigorous in upholding them. Please realise that without these rules, there would be NO July Camp. Most of us however,
are very grateful to the authorities and the private individuals who allow us the privilege of camping in the precious Berg of
which they are the custodians and for the privileges they extend to us. Furthermore, July Camp enters into a legally binding
Environment Management Plan with the authority or landowners concerned. As a result:
July Camp endorses a comprehensive system of environmental practices that address, inter alia, conditions of access,
admissible structures, services, monitoring, auditing and decommissioning, reinstatement and rehabilitation, pollution
and the impact of the event on soil, animals, vegetation and other area users.
For example:
● Water quality
The Berg is the main watershed for KZ-N, so all Campers are required to use biodegradable soaps and shampoo and to ensure
that grey water is dispersed directly onto a grassed area and not into a watercourse.
When out of Base Camp, all Campers are required to observe bush etiquette.
● Soil conservation
Pallets or duckboards must be used in the bathrooms to prevent soil trampling and compaction.
● Waste
The principle of ‘carry in, carry out’ will apply. Participation in July Camp is on the understanding that each Camper
will carry out and take away ALL the rubbish he/she generates both in Base Camp and on day-trips or sub-camps.
Women please note that this applies particularly to items best described as ‘hygiene products’ and that they should
bring suitable ziplock bags to carry them out.
Parents of young children wearing diapers, are required to carry out all used diapers.
● Climbing
Any leader intending to undertake rock climbs is required to be fully familiar with the Bolting Policy as developed by
the KZ-N Section of MCSA and KZ-N Wildlife.
● Safety
Each Camper leaving the Camp (whether for a day trip or a sub-camp) must ensure that he/she joins a recognized
party and clearly indicates his/her destination on the Mountain Register in the Camp. WANDERING AROUND ON
ONE’S OWN IS AGAINST ALL HIKING CODES.
● All Campers leaving Camp must complete the Camp register at the office and must carry water, adequate warm and
waterproof clothing, a torch and spare batteries and something to eat.
● Noise
The sense of peace, animals and other visitors must not be disturbed by noise.
No radios (or loud music) shall be permitted.
● Monitoring
The site will be monitored before and after the event.
● Flora and fauna
If any sensitive species (e.g. vulture, lammergeyer or oribi) are seen, please inform the Reserve Management promptly so that
the KZ-N Wildlife specialists can be informed.
● Fire
No open fires (that includes candles) may be lit by day trip or sub-camp parties. Very special concession is given for the
Camp to cook on the camp stove, to heat the bath water in the ‘donkey’ and to have a campfire, if conditions permit.
● General
All standard conservation codes must be practised.
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- APPLICATION TO ATTEND JULY CAMP 2015 PLEASE:
 DELETE alternatives that are not applicable
 use BLOCK LETTERS
 use a separate form for EACH person
Phone:……………………………………………………
Cell:………………………………..........................
Dr/ Mr/ Mrs/ Miss/ ……….……………………………………………………..
E-mail:………………………………....................
Address….……………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………..Code……………….…
In the case of a child, age………yrs. Countersigned by parent/guardian ….………………………………………....
I wish to spend only one night in Camp on
I wish to attend Camp
.................................... 2015
Arrive on ……………………..
2015
Leave on ………………..
2015
I am / am not a member of the ……………………………………………………………………Section of MCSA/ Mountain/Hiking Club
I wish to sub-camp with some nights on the Escarpment
I wish to hike/sub-camp in the Little Berg, with optional one-day trips to the Escarpment
I go on regular sub-camping trips
I wish to go on day trips, returning to Base Camp each night
I go on regular day-hikes
I offer to lead a sub-camp party/parties to………
I offer to lead a day-trip party
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
CAMP CHARGES
Camping fee for …….. nights @ R255 per adult per night; 13 to 18 years – R215; 6 to 13 years – R155;
under 6 years – R115 per person per night. (Please delete whichever is not applicable)
Non-member levy: R 80.00
R
Cash deposit fee, if applicable
R
TOTAL DUE:
PAYMENT
I have made a direct deposit/transfer to: Mountain Club of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Section, July
Camp. Standard Bank, Howick; Branch code: 058325; a/c No: 058122133
I enclose a cheque, INCLUDING deposit fees, payable to:
Mountain Club of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Section, July Camp
PROOF of PAYMENT
Proof of payment has been FAXED to Mike Coke on: 033 344 2789
Proof of payment has been POSTED to Mike Coke at: 81 Tatham Rd, Pietermaritzburg 3201
Proof of payment has been E-MAILED to: [email protected]
SIGNED: ……………………………………………………..
R
R
R
R
YES
YES
YES
DATE: ………………………………..
PLEASE return booking form & confirmation of payment ON, OR BEFORE, SUNDAY 31 MAY 2015 to:
MIKE COKE, 81 Tatham Rd, Pietermaritzburg 3201
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 083 321 8841
Tel/Fax: 033 344 2789
GENERAL ENQUIRIES: Rikki Abbott Wedderburn
Cell: 082 538 5389
Tel: 033 2392 374
NO
NO
NO
Email: [email protected]
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