|
Kraai River mini-expedition -
December
|
 |
Well, the plan was to shoot a 7 day stretch of
the Kraai River near Barkly East. Even the best laid (and they were well
laid) plans can fall apart though. Rains over South Africa hadn't bothered
to make an appearance by December, so the team was met by a gravel bed with
some pools of water that was trying to pass itself off as the Kraai... No
danger, try the Kei, that is bound to have water? Well, there was enough
water to cover the knees of a heron, but not enough to put boats on. There
were a number of disbelieving team members who had experienced the Kei at
the opposite end of the scale 2 years previously, where keeper holes the
size of garages were the order of the day. No sweat, do the mighty Mzimvubu,
always got water, one of the biggest rivers in the country. Archie put a
brave face on it by attempting to croc though the mud, but the idea of a
river trip was given up at that point and the crew fragmented, some returning
to JHB, while others managed to salvage the trip to a degree by doing a
section of the Wild Coast trail from Mbotyi to Msikaba, which turned out to
be rather exceptional!
|
|
|
|
Annual Dinner - The Marais
Farm, Magaliesberg - November
|
|
Normally, the Annual Dinner is held at a more
urban kind of venue, but this year a change was made, and the Dinner was
held at Paul and Vanessa's stunning farm near Hekpoort. The venue switch
worked pretty well, because the Dinner was graced with the biggest turnout
ever, including some ESSA old timers who hadn't shown their faces for a
while. Chris K, Paul and Vanessa outdid themselves to produce an exquisite
menu. The awards were fun and the evening a ripping success!
|
|
|
|
Mt Mera - Khumbu region of
Nepal - October
|
 |
This was the big ESSA expedition for 2003 - a
month of trekking in Nepal culminating in an attempt on the lofty heights
of the beautiful peak of Mt Mera, over 6500 metres high! The ESSA crew
prepared extremely well and every team member managed to make it to High
Camp (over 5800 metres). However, the summit was to be denied by unseasonable
snow depths high up, but some valiant efforts were made, with the highest
point reached being 100 vertical metres short of the summit. The expedition
was a major success though, with Nepal managing to charm everyone
completely!
|
|
|
|
Pondoland Adventure - Pondoland, Mkambati
area - September
|
 |
This trip was pitched as a "last chance to see"
this magnificent corner of Pondoland. There are big plans to mine the dunes
for heavy metals in the next few years. While there are rumours that the
mine has been put on hold, there are big players who have invested in the
mining plan, so we shall see... Suffice to say, 4 days of horseriding,
canoeing, kloofing, hiking and swimming in this little paradise, under the
eye of guides from a community-based ecotourism project, were enjoyed
immensely by all. More...
|
|
|
|
Formal Dinner : A cave somewhere in
Mlilwane Game Reserve, Swaziland- September
|
|
Rain played havoc with the very best laid plans to have the
formal dinner atop Sibebe Rock in Swaziland, so, in true ESSA fashion, a
debate ensued, resulting in a hop across to Mlilwane Reserve, where a
partly dry cave was deemed suitable for such an occasion. It turned out to
be great fun and an inspired venue choice.
|
|
|
|
Himalayan expedition training -
Drakensberg - August
|
 |
The Mt Mera crew travelled to the Drakensberg - Monks Cowl
area for some training and general practice for their October expedition.
They expected some hard hiking but did not expect to be trapped by a raging
veldfire
|
|
|
|
Eastern Free State multi-activity
weekend, Bokpoort - June
|
 |
The eastern Free State was a hive of ESSA activity in
mid-June. A couple of demented kayakers took on the cold and narrow As
River near Clarens, then joined the rest of the ESSA gang at Bokpoort Farm,
where much lazing about was interspersed with reportedly superb 4x4ing,
horse-riding, hiking and mountain-biking... More
|
|
|
|
Winter Canoe Polo and kayak practice -
May
|
|
It is winter, but take a bunch of water starved kayakers,
some gullible budding kayakers, a heated pool and Marlise's encouragement
and what do you get? Cold and bedraggled boaters (but happy)... More
|
|
|
|
Swaziland mountainbiking and paddling -
May
|
|
A trip to the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland produced a
weekend full of adrenalin, laughter and excitement. The aim was to compete
in the Ngulube Classic mountain bike race and to run the Bulunga Falls
section of the Usutu river...
More
|
|
|
|
Orienteering around Wits - May
|
|
The first foray into orienteering for many ESSA folk at the
annual Wits Orienteering Race. There we go, more people likely to be
getting lost in the woods... More
|
|
|
|
Makhabeng Sacred Places - May
|
 |
Makhabeng is one of Limpopo Province and South Africa's
hidden marvels. Incredible rock formations, ancient pre-history and a
feeling of being somewhere very special are the ingredients for a weekend
or longer of exhilarating exploration.
|
|
|
|
Tree identification - May
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sekororo Kloof canyoning - April
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hiking forgotten regions of the Drakensberg
- April
|
 |
Climb the Chain Ladder. Look for the path. Find it. Ignore
it. Tread off right to explore a beautiful part of the Drakensberg that few
people venture to. Experience bucolic valleys, rugged terrain and
undisturbed mountain wetlands. A recipe for hiking bliss...More
|
|
|
|
Orange River rafting/kayaking
|
|
One of the biggest groups ESSA has ever taken down a river.
An organisational marathon, but well worth the effort for all... More
|
|
|
|
Spekboom River kayaking
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Kayak School - March
|
| Our third fantastic kayak school with Hugh and
Linda of Whitewater Training.
Aching and stiff all the participants might have been but they all wanted
to grab a place on the following week's Orange trip to hone their newly
worked skills
|
|
|
 |
Island Blue - February
|
|
The temperature was in the late 30s and the
sun was beating down particularly fiercely. There was no better time to
visit the shady forests and blue pools of this wonderful place. Recent
rains made even the normally dry surrounding mountains lush with life. Once
again the magic worked its way into all of us.
|
|
|
|
Vaal River - January
|
|
Slow, smelly, bumpy and full of hyacinth. Yuk.
Still we managed a great time and three first time kayakers showed how easy
it can be if you display natural talent. Nice one, Scot, Tim and Ellen for
skating through it all
|
|
|
 |
Kinira River - January
|
|
A beautiful 4 day run through three gorges.
The gathering terror on Lyn's face as each new day dawned spurred us to
greater deeds. Good water and tons of rapids made it an awesome grade 3
trip. And it was a first descent to boot! Watch this space for a full trip
report, maps and the infamous less than reliable gradient graph.
|
|
|
