Climate change is increasingly transforming our outdoor spaces, impacting mountaineering activities such as climbing and hiking. While South Africa’s temperate climate allows outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy these activities year-round, changing weather patterns are creating new challenges that must be navigated.
In recent years, rising temperatures have led to more unpredictable and extreme weather conditions, including sudden storms and prolonged heatwaves. These changes can make year-round activities more risky, especially for hikers and climbers who need to account for dehydration, heat exhaustion and rapidly shifting weather conditions. Additionally, intense rainfall events have become more common, causing flash floods that erode trails and damage infrastructure in popular hiking and climbing areas.
South Africa’s unique biodiversity is also under significant pressure due to climate change. Many species of flora and fauna are endemic to specific regions. Changing temperatures and inconsistent rainfall patterns threaten these fragile ecosystems. The loss of these habitats not only diminishes the natural beauty that makes outdoor experiences memorable but also disrupts the balance of wildlife, impacting sightings and encounters that are a wonderful part of the outdoor experience.
To continue enjoying our great outdoor spaces year-round, it is crucial for MCSA members to get involved in conservation efforts by attending monthly conservation meets that focus on the eradication of alien invasive plants as well as the maintenance of the hiking paths on our properties. Protecting these outdoor spaces is essential to ensuring that our properties remain pristine wilderness areas for generations to come.
PATROLLING OUR MOUNTAINS AS CUSTODIANS
Escaping the thunder, lightning, and rain in the city, 18 MCSA members headed to the Magaliesberg on Saturday where the Patrolling Subcommittee hosted the first of their orientation hikes at the Tonquani complex in what turned out to be the best hiking weather of the year.
Led by MCSA Chairman, Bennie de Wet, the group started at Utopia heading out to Cedarberg, then explored upper Tonquani, before heading up Kitchen Gully to Tweedledee and Tweedledum, finally returning via Boulderkloof. This loop identified the hot spots in the area where the patrollers can position themselves to passively approach hikers and climbers for their permits and membership cards. The purpose of the patrols is to also observe any suspicious activity or persons from a distance to communicate to the security subcommittee.
We look forward to hosting Patrolling Orientations on our other two properties, Paardekraal, and Mhlabatini in the near future. If you need another excuse to get out into the mountain and want to don a MCSA Patrolling bib to be official, please join the WhatsApp group for more updates.
Feedback from patrollers:
"I found it incredibly rewarding. On the one hand I was able to get to grips with the process of patrolling. On the other, through Bennie’s guidance, I was able to finally join the dots and get a grip on understanding the lay of the land. One had to walk it to ‘see’ and understand it." ~ NW
"Aside from new friendships made, it also helped me understand that every trespasser is a potential MCSA member – that rather than aggressively confront someone, our role is to recruit other people who love being in the mountains into MCSA. I highly recommend all new MCSA members join others on patrol to learn routes safely, meet ‘your people’, and have safe fun in the beautiful mountains of which we are custodians.” ~ GO
Think not what the Club can do for you, but what you can do for the Club!
MCSA member APPOINTED TO UIAA
CASTLE GORGE UPDATE
The toilet at Castle Gorge has been completed - A big thank you to all involved! It is a very welcome new addition to start-of-day hikers and end-of-day returnees.
DON'T MISS THIS MEMBER TALK!
Double presentation on Invasive Alien Plants ~
Michael Esterhuizen's Honours Research report-back &
Karin Spottiswoode's new book launched!
Results of our epic Crofton removal revealed! Michael will take us through the effects that Crofton has on the waterways in the Magaliesberg, and the scientific methods that he used to support his hypothesis. There was no research on Crofton in South Africa, so this difficult honours project was based on firsthand experimental research, Trident was the lucky river to get a full force work team to help Michael take data readings before, during and after removal.
Karin Spottiswoode will give us a talk about her newly launched Invasive Alien reference book that has been in the making for 9 years. She has been working in Kloofendal Nature Reserve for over 20 years both as a guide and with the IAP removal teams and volunteers. This book came from the need to teach others how to effectively remove IAPs.
Date: Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Where: Robin Hills Scout Hall
Time: 18h30 for 19h00
JOIN THESE UPCOMING MEETS!
MEET REPORT
Community Hike at Melville Koppies
The second last hike for the year, hikers from LIV (Lungisisa Indlela Village) Lanseria, Dlala Nje, and Parktown Girls spent a magnificent Sunday exploring Melville Koppies in the heartland of suburban Johannesburg, learning about our South African history, our cultural heritage and conservation.
This National Heritage Site and Nature Reserve won the 2024 GDARDE Heritage Awards, because the volunteers ensure that it is kept in pristine condition. Visitors of all ages derive a wealth of knowledge and insights from the guides.
HOW TO VOLUNteer
Fundraising: Experienced fundraisers needed for conservation and mountaineering projects, including land acquisition.
Conservation: Learn how to protect our properties' endemic ecosystems on work meets, scheduled on the Meets Calendar.
Outreach: Join community projects that share the mountains with the next generation of mountaineers.
Meet Leaders: Give back by leading regular and varied meets for MCSA members and the public.
PR & Marketing: Educate and inform current and future members through social media, club gatherings and talks.
Mountain Search & Rescue: Train in a team ensuring knowledge transfer and rescue capability, or raise funds for callouts.
Click on the links below to contact the sub-committee directly.
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.
It is not what the club can do for you, it is what YOU can do for the club.
