Joining the MCSA is an exciting step for outdoor enthusiasts, but for new members, getting familiar with the club's properties and trails can be a bit overwhelming. That’s where Orientation Hikes come in—a fun and practical way to experience our beautiful properties.

 

Here are some benefits of joining our orientation hikes:

 

MCSA properties often have a variety of trails, each with unique features and difficulty levels. Orientation hikes are designed to introduce you to the layout, help you identify key landmarks and trail markers, so you know where to go. Getting to know the different properties will help you better plan future hikes.

 

Orientation hikes provide invaluable knowledge about the terrain, safety protocols and responsible trail use. From navigating the route to learning about the area, you'll gain tips that will make your hikes safer and more enjoyable.

Orientation hikes are a great opportunity to meet other club members. Sharing the orientation experience fosters friendships and connections, which can lead to new hiking partners, shared adventures and a better club experience.

 

New members may feel hesitant to explore unfamiliar trails alone. Orientation hikes provide a structured, guided way to explore our properties, helping you feel more confident when returning on your own.

 

In addition to trail orientation, you may gain new insights about the area, learn about the local flora and fauna, and even some of the mountain club's history, enriching your overall hiking experience.

 

Ever wondered what the name of that tree, bird, flower, moss, mushroom, fish, insect or spider is? And wish you were an expert in all of those things? Now, you have access to all those experts that do know and can tell you why it is this one and not that one! And you have an AI expert to help them help you!

 

We will be holding the first of three iNaturalist training sessions this week.

When: Wednesday, 18 September 2024

Where: Robin Hills Scout Hall

Time: 18h30 for 19h00.

 

This first training will be focused on learning the ropes of the App. What it can do for you, how your interests can be developed by using the App, and how you inevitably will help government policy by taking photos! Stephan Snyman will take you through some of the teething issues many of us experienced when we first started. He will show you how the inbuilt AI works and how best to upload an observation.

 

And… roll the drums… Jacque Wetselaar will be there to launch the MCSA-iNat Mountain Project to new and old iNatters.

Kailen Padayachee, a passionate conservation biologist from the KaiNav Conservation Foundation, will take you through the world of snares—simple, deadly traps that are quietly devastating animal populations across Africa. Learn how poaching affects not just iconic species like rhinos and elephants, but also countless "common" animals, and discover some key drivers of this crisis.

 

When: Wednesday, 2 October 2024

Where: Robin Hills Scout Hall

Time: 19h00 - 20h00.

 

You’ll hear about the Foundation’s groundbreaking S.N.A.R.E. Initiative, which removes snares, raises awareness, and transforms these traps into art, providing hope and opportunity for struggling communities. Don’t miss this chance to see how we can make a difference together!

We had an amazing turnout of people eager for adventure and celebration with 70+ signatures on the register! However, thanks to the spacious property and a wide variety of activities, nothing felt crowded (other than the braai grids). Here’s a breakdown of the weekend’s adventures:

 

Big Zipline (140m): The zipline launch, standing at an impressive 32m high, gave everyone plenty of time to build speed before hitting the water, skipping and splashing along the way. Josh, however, decided to test the backup braking system instead! Despite the extreme nature of the experience, it was incredible to see how many brave souls took the plunge.

 

River Zipline (45m): This was a hit with all ages. Starting from a 10m cliff, participants stepped or jumped off over deep water, letting go whenever they felt like it. Lots of fun stunts added great entertainment for those watching.

 

Aerial Silk Above Water: Spectacular skills were on display here, with some first-timers adding an extra dose of amusement and surprising grace. We also learned that silk burns are a thing—apparently the most common injury of the weekend!

Slackline Above Water: We rigged 45m of nylon webbing, 3m above the water. Although it wasn’t very beginner-friendly, it was entertaining to watch as it flung most people off with ease! We might try again with a less stretchy material next time.

 

Raft Building: Six large plastic drums were donated for the event, and after hauling them upriver, we built a four-barrel raft. It worked perfectly for the deep-water solo. There are plans for a more permanent raft-building solution in the future.

 

Deep Water Solo: This was where the highest jumps of the weekend took place, and it was loads of fun. In fact, it deserves a meet of its own!

 

Multi-Pitch Sport Climbing: The crag featured some new routes, and a draft copy of the route guide is available. Those who didn’t feel like reading it were shown the lines by one of the bolters.

 

Trad Climbing: As usual, the trad climbers did their own thing. This time, they got the bonus of watching the big zipline and deep-water solo from a unique perspective.

Cliff Jumping from Various Heights: We marked out jumps ranging from 3.6m to 9.2m, giving participants a chance to match numbers to feelings (since we all know climbers can’t judge heights).

 

Friction Fire Making: Skills were transferred, and fires were made! Everyone involved seemed completely captivated and trust me—you can’t learn this skill from YouTube.

 

Hiking: For those who wanted to explore the property further, there was a guided hike. It turned out to be a great opportunity for some stunning photos.

 

As for the weather, Saturday still felt a bit like winter, but on Sunday (the 1st of September), spring officially arrived. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this weekend a success!

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Every donation to the club, big or small, makes a difference. Your support in this crucial time will help us pay off our debts promptly and maintain a strong financial foundation. You can donate by transferring money via EFT with your annual membership fees or donate through our web portal. Please consider a recurring payment, which will make a big difference over time.

Explore. Discover. Connect. Protect.

Office Number:  061 461 8259 
Office Hours: Mon 12:00 - 20:00, Thurs 12:00 - 18:00
Email: admin@jhb.mcsa.org.za
Website: www.mcsajohannesburg.org