GIBA GORGE HIKE

GIBA GORGE  Hike on 9th Jan 2011

One would not exaggerate to say that Giba Gorge is one of the most excellent hiking areas in Durban. It doesn’t take much to find oneself outside city life and in a wilderness setting of great  beauty. It was refreshing and exciting to be able to lead a group of 25 enthusiastic, experienced and novice hikers to explore this paradise.  After leaving our vehicles safely parked at Giba Gorge entrance next to the restaurant, we proceeded along the well-used cycle track before turning off at a check point to cross the Giba River. After another 1km the cycle track makes way to a hiking trail and crossing under the N3 toll road bridge, well over 100m above the gorge and enters private property. One is inspired by this impressive concrete construction, and the contrast of speeding vehicles above and the tranquillity of the Gorge below.

The combination of waterfalls, which include the magnificent 80m high McIntosh falls (pictured on the right) and the 30m high Kirkman falls tumbling into the gorge are of great scenic beauty. Recent good rains added to the spectacular picturesque scenery.    

       

The route climbs to the top of the falls and crosses the Umhlatuzana River and then rises to a higher level and enters the Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter (pictured on the right), the history of which stretches back to the Stone Age and is of immense historical value. The Shelter is protected from the elements, faces north and is well screened by vegetation. The rock shelter is 43m long, reaches a depth of 6.5m and the maximum roof height is 17m, and was discovered in 1982 by Dr R R Maud during a geological survey of the proposed N3 toll road. The floor of the shelter was excavated in 1985 to a depth of 2.6m and contained deposits of pottery, stone tools, seeds, beads, shell, bone, ground stone and bone objects. Along with the radiocarbon dates there is proof of human habitation here 70 000/ 100 000 years ago.  Evidence of this is documented in archaeological manuscripts housed in the Natal Museum. The shelter was also used by the McIntosh family as an emergency safe haven in times of unrest.

 Apart from the prolific bird life the other unique feature in this environment is the Potter Ruby footed giant black millipede (shongololo) endemic to this area. 

After reaching the highest point, by way of a safely constructed chain ladder the route descends back to the base of McIntosh falls and picks up a well maintained cycle track. As the clouds had dispersed, the welcome ramble through the tall leafy trees back to the restaurant went by in a flash.                                                                                                                          

To arrange this hike I met with Colleen and Rick Witten The owners of Edgecliff  Estate (McIntosh Falls as well as Kirkman Falls are on this property) they have contributed immeasurably to the conservation of this environment and have wonderful and exciting plans for the future which include sustainable management with eradicating of alien vegetation, and establishing  erosion controlled hiking tracks and the reintroduction of Rock Hyrex {Dassies] All these projects are quite a challenge.                                                                                 

When Durban wants to brag about their great hiking trails, this 12km approx. 5 hour hike, which is not strenuous must rate as one on top of the list.   David Tighe

Hike from Osgodsby to Joseph Baynes Cottage, Richmond area - 13 March 2011

OSGODSBY HIKE – RICHMOND/BAYNESFIELD ESTATE  13^TH March 2011

 Whilst investigating the possibility of a three day hike from Baynesfield to Byrne, I came across the farm named Osgodsby which immediately caught my attention, and I had to investigate further.         I was not disappointed, as not only was the farmer Campbell McKenzie extremely co-operative and enthusiastic as he had spent considerable time and effort in opening trails on his farm, and these trails fitted perfectly into my plan. So with the help of Dave Herselman we set off on a number of recce hikes, which proved successful in opening up a day hike to Joseph Baynes old cottage, which will eventually become the first overnight stop on a future planned three day hike. 

The Mount Gilboa hike at Karkloof is a good comparison to this 12.5 kilometre hike, which starts at Campbell McKenzie’s farm “Osgodsby” near Richmond. The gentle amble along a level farm road for about 1km certainly does not prepare one for the steep grade ahead. We would gain approx. 400m in height over the next +- 4km.    For those who don’t hike regularly or are unfit this would be a strenuous challenge.                                                                                                                                           

After entering the cool canopy of the forest along the waterfall trail we were rewarded by the impressive 30m high Mkuzane Falls.  The route then picks up the yellowwood trail and contours to a higher level arriving at a stand of very old magnificent yellowwood trees. We stopped for a well-deserved water break. The park-like appearance and the huge size of these trees was indescribably beautiful.   Exploitation of yellowwoods began in the late 1800s and they were  felled for use of floors and ceilings. However this stand was saved after a tragic personal family hunting accident.  Roads had been constructed, the saw pits had been dug and all was ready for the extraction of this stand and because of this hunting accident the operation was abandoned.

The trail elevates further passing through a recently cut dense forest section into open grasslands and up to Lewis dam. The last uphill along a fire break to the Langa trig beacon at 1406m above sea level seems never ending. The view from this point overlooks the Baynesfield estate and is stunning with the Baynesfield dam and the Mbangweni dam far below. As far as the eye can see the  orchards, fields, and pasture of the estate stretch off into the distance. .   

We made our way down to the cottage, which was our objective, the wind had picked up and had become quite a gale; it was a relief to get to the protection of the cottage on the lee side out of the wind, where we settled down to a leisurely lunch. The cottage is well constructed, the walls are solid natural stone, and a corrugated tin roof has replaced the original thatch. With a bit of a clean-up this will be the perfect overnight stopover    

 As the strong wind had dropped and time was catching up, and with renewed vigour (for some of us anyway) we strolled off along the plantation contour road back to the Lewis dam. Our route now picked up the Mageu trail which is all downhill. Our pace increased as we descended back through the plantation and in no time at all we arrived back at the farmhouse to the welcome barking of the farm dogs.

Campbell McKenzie’s ancestors arrived with the Byrne settlers, I therefore asked him to give a talk on the history of the family and farm before we started our hike. He certainly kept us entertained with the story of how the family had arrived at Port Natal, and the dramatic shipwreck which the ill-fated ship The Minerva suffered at the foot of the Bluff on the night of 4^th July 1850.The valuable cargo and all the passengers’ belongings were lost as the ship quickly broke up on the rocks.            All 300 passengers had got off safely and Campbell’s great grandfather was born on the beach. The only casualty was a seaman off the ship Henrietta who tried to render assistance and was drowned. The positive fact to emerge from this tragedy was that the colonists were incredibly supportive; helping their distressed countrymen in every way, even arranging transport to Byrne to start their new life. However upon arrival at Byrne the McKenzie’s found that they had been allocated a rocky hilltop which was unsuitable for farming. They must have explored further and eventually found the forest-clad slopes and grass-covered hills with streams running through the valley to join the Illovo River on its way to the sea.  They named it Osgodsby meaning  “Home” after a hamlet in York England.  The name is of Norse origin dating back to the Viking times.                                                                                                 

This had been an enjoyable hike, made possible by Jenny Rooks from Ramblers Club who went about co-ordinating and getting together the twenty enthusiastic hikers from four hiking clubs.  We can look forward to further hikes where one can get away from it all and walk amongst a paradise of yellowwood trees and contemplate the simple beauty of nature.

Thanks to Dave Herselman who co-lead,  Max who lead from the back, Jenny,  Rose, Frankie, Duncan, Linda, Colin, Jon, Margie, Gary, Dennis, Richard, Moira, Lee-Ann, Adrian, Colin, Christy, Shara & Mike 

DAVID TIGHE