Kamberg Day hike 2^nd August 2014

A day hike in the Berg is essentially a light hearted and leisurely occupation—a combination of exercise, a breath of fresh mountain air and a chance to commune with the beauties of nature.     This world heritage site, has outstanding scenery, geological features and magnificently sculpted basalt cliffs.  Beneath them are the light-coloured cave sandstone forming undulating plateau’s, with sweeping grasslands, brilliantly green in summer, pastel and yellow in winter which adds to this spectacular scene. Krantzes or cliffs run under the summit in the little berg, and in these sandstone layers hundreds of rock shelters and overhangs are to be found. In these shelters San hunter- gatherers made their homes and the richest concentration of rock paintings in the world are to be found. Some of the paintings are well protected and well preserved and are of exceptional quality, especially those in Game Pass Shelter. However these shelters are still eroding, this is partly due to moisture in the rock, and to a lesser extent to sudden temperature changes. This means that the great wealth of rock art in them will eventually disappear entirely. While time and nature will continue to take their toll, the deterioration of many paintings during the last hundred or so years has been caused mainly by humans. Therefore visitors must always be accompanied by an accredited Amafa Rock Art Custodian when entering into an area within 50m of any rock art site in the province of kwa-Zulu Natal.   All the above makes up an enjoyable, interesting and rewarding visit to the Berg.

Philip, Clive and myself had made an early start from Durban and arrived at the Kamberg reserve to meet up with Rose, Cheryl, Gordon, Max, Neville, Erica, Fiona, Rob and Tony; some had overnighted at Mountain Shadows and all were keen to get going. As we climbed up to the plateau below Game Pass Shelter we were rewarded with the sighting of between forty or fifty (what I identified?) as Jackal Buzzards. Few sights could be more impressive then these birds soaring high overhead.

The exceptionally dry winter was evident at our first stop at the Obathwa shelter, the normal curtain of water flowing over the lip of the shelter was now just a trickle. The route starts to rise and rapidly gains altitude for the next few hundred metres, after which it contours around a game track to a stream crossing. From here on the scenery is outstanding with numerous waterfalls cascading into delightful pools and with impressive massive rock formation towering above. We scrambled up to Christmas cave which is situated high up in the sandstone band. The paintings in this shelter are mainly painted on the roof, there was much debate as to the reason for this. 

 At this point two members of our group felt that they had gone far enough, I then made arrangements for Philip to accompany them back to a recognised point and for them to wait there for our return. Philip would then meet up with the rest of the party at Willem 1 & 2 caves. I lead the rest of the group over the top and arrived at the caves and met Philip who greeted us with the disturbing and concerning news that one of them had disappeared. I must emphasize that as a leader I assume responsibility for the safety of each member of the group. This disappearing act was extremely unnecessary and irresponsible on the part of this hiker and could have had serious consequences.

The paintings of a group of Eland on the wall of Willem2 cave were still well preserved and well worth the effort it took to traverse over from Willem1.

After picking up Gordon, who had been waiting patiently at the arranged site, we set off back to the car park which was mostly downhill, we arrived back pleasantly tired, rejuvenated and relieved to find that the lost soul had made his way safely back to camp and had not ended up in cyber space on Planet Apple!! 

DAVID TIGHE

MANGROVE SWAMPS – BAYHEAD : 23^RD MARCH 2014

 10 Club members & 6 visitors met at Glenwood Centre & proceeded to Bayhead.  These swamps are situated at the southern end of Durban harbour & because of their scientific, educational & historical value, they were proclaimed a national heritage site in 1996. The Bayhead Mangrove swamps covers a mere 10ha, this forest previously stretched to over 100ha. These plants require warm, humid tropical conditions & grow only on selected shores in river estuaries, bays & lagoons where salt water penetrates.  They also require a certain balance of fresh water provided by rain and rivers.  The Mangrove environment is extremely fragile & liable to destruction by environmentally unfriendly land use practices & economic developments.

Our route took us along a boardwalk which is raised on stilts & wanders through the Mangrove forest  for a good 100m where one has the opportunity to experience the ‘real feel’ of the swamp & observe the three Mangrove species that grow in this saline condition that would kill most plants. Because of the low oxygen content of the salt water strangely shaped roots are produced.

Besides being interesting from a botanical viewpoint a Mangrove forest also has a unique animal life including oysters which live on the prop roots & snails that climb up and down the trunks with the rise and fall of the tides. Mud Skippers - a fish which can live out of water & propel themselves along the mud with their flippers. Male Fiddler crabs wave colourful nippers to attract a mate. Sesama crabs collect fallen leaves. Juvenile prawns & marine fish swim into the swamp at high tide where there is plenty of food & a safe nursery away from the turbulent sea.

We left the boardwalk and skirted the fringe of the swamp with the tide receding & headed to the bird hide for a short break. It was a pleasure having amongst our visitors, Jocelyn Sutherland - custodian of the Hawaan forest at Umhlanga, Jill Seldon who holds a Saturday outing for tree identification. Also Bertha Pitout who is a lecturer at DUT & who has given talks in Sweden on the Durban Zanzibaries. All are keen birders.

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The 2km walk along the beach produced a good variety of birds & much to discuss as Rose, Ismail, Ingrid, Lee & Jon also have a good knowledge of birds. Amongst the variety of birds sighted were: Mangrove Kingfisher with its loud ringing call, the gregarious Sacred Ibis, Cormorant’s, Egrets, Fish Eagle, Egyptian Geese, Herons & Cranes, Hamerkop & Plovers.

As we had reached the end of the beach we made ourselves comfortable under cover in the old yachting club shelter.  It wasn’t long before we were approached by the Port Security who had monitored our progress on camera.  They had decided that as we were in a new construction site area we were a threat to their security although we had not crossed any fence or come across any security warning signs.  A year or so ago I could have walked on for another kilometre, however this is now a new development with restrictions. We returned along the beach & with the tide now almost fully out there was a lot more beach available. We were delighted to have sight of Sting Rays wallowing in the shallow water.

Back at the bird hide the weather had become quite humid with a very welcome cool refreshing southern breeze. I then explained to the group the next part of the hike would take in a section of grassland and then go through an uninteresting section of alien vegetation to arrive at a plastic polluted beach. It was then decided to split up with Philip leading 4 visiting hikers to the Millenium Tower & hike down to the old whaling slipway & along the newly constructed South Pier.  Rose’s group would take the opportunity to visit the recently constructed Zanzibaries Mosque. There certainly is an advantage of having other leaders on a hike so that these sort of decisions can be made.  I would lead the remaining 7 to the southern limits of the swamps

The feedback received from the group was very positive and all enjoyed the morning out.

DAVID TIGHE