The end of the official Verreaux Eagle breeding season is 1 September. We are still monitoring the Bronkies nest. A parent is still sitting on the nest. Dome South has a chick on the nest. This chick may not have fledged yet, please keep clear until the end of September at least.
Crags OPEN for Climbing (1 September):
Wilgepoort
Chosspile
Grootkloof
Tonquani
BRONKIES STILL CLOSED (until further notice)
DOME SOUTH STILL CLOSED (until further notice)
If you would like to share information about the Eagles please contact Tam Scheidegger!
Calling on all sharp-shooting members with a keen eye to submit photographs of our beautiful Magaliesberg range!
The Invasive Alien Plants of the Magaliesberg booklet is in the process of being edited. And so, for the 3rd edition we need a new cover photo. Send us your favourite photograph that depicts the splendour of Magaliesberg that we are trying to conserve.
Your photograph should be no less than 800 dpi.Email it to conservation@mag.mcsa.org.za no later than 30 August 2023!
I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for everyone's incredible support and generosity towards our fundraising campaign for the Dome acquisition. Your contributions and support were instrumental in exceeding our goal, and I'm thrilled to share that we've raised more than R11,000 – a true testament to the power of community and shared vision.
Thanks to your belief in our cause, we are now closer than ever to making the Dome dream a reality and with that you will be happy to hear the Dome Pools property was finally registered in the name of the Magaliesberg Section of the MCSA on Friday 25 August 2023! Your kindness has not only touched my heart but also the entire Mountain Club of South Africa Johannesburg Sections. The impact of your support will resonate for years to come, enhancing the experiences of all our members and enriching the outdoors we hold dear with an important asset in the Magaliesberg, both for conservation and recreational purposes.
Now for an update on my race,I ran a total of 71km in just shy of 15 hours before the race organisers had to call the race due to concerns for our safety. This has left a fire burning in me. Next year I will look to run every ultra-marathon SA has on offer including distances upwards of 100 and 200 miles, so watch this space!
Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing by us, for believing in our mission, and for contributing to a brighter future. Your generosity will forever be cherished.
-Dylan Labuschagne, Official administrator for MCSA JHB
MEET REPORT
The intrepid members that joined Castle Gorge Meet, scaled chossy cliffs, leopard crawled under clawing brambles with their knees sinking into ashy peat and learnt how to really immerse themselves in Nature.
They sharpened their eyes to differentiate between a resprouting pompom and a baby helichrysum, taking out about 200 pompom and 200 verbena in the burnt areas around the campsite. Now they know that Jerusalem and Cascade are free from flowering Crofton.
Dry Gully (nervous twitch and anxiety attack) needs a return as we only managed to cover its upper reaches. This is a war, where we choose not to be bystanders but rather to fight for, with and on the side of the mountain.
Photographers: Deon Fawell, Lourens Botha and Nicky Stapelberg.
Castle Gorge has a number of co-owners, with MCSA as majority shareholder (31.54%). The property is however administered by the Johannesburg Hiking Club, the fifth largest owner (6.9%). This property has sensitive access rules—access from the South is via a servitude purchased from a landowner in the area in 1996. Although access is guaranteed in perpetuity, we must abide by these rules. Please read carefully below:
MOST IMPORTANT: DO NOT CROSS ANY FENCES, especially the fence north of Castle Gorge onto Maretlwana. You will be trespassing. A spearate permit must be optained.
