Program these numbers into your cell phone:
• Metro Rescue - 021 937 0300 for medical assistance & rescue services.
• Mountain Security - 086 110 6417 to report crime.
• ICE1, ICE2, etc (In Case of Emergency) – each with a number of a personal contact.
• NB: Please be careful, do not hike alone or in small groups.

New Hikers (& Members):
• Contact the co-ordinator before joining an advertised hike. Check the calendar entry for the best time to call.
• Click to read 'Essential Info for Hikers'
• See Items Recommended for day hikes and our Grading System below.

Join the Committee and other Meridian friends for an AGM with a twist, Please wear something RED or Valentines appropriate as we celebrate a belated Valentines. This is NOT your usual AGM - it stands for Annual Gathering of Meridians. This is a celebration of Your Club’s achievements. Meet fellow Meridians at the AGM. Please vote before 20/02/2012 for the Hike Leader of the year leadernomination@meridian.org.za
And your Hiker of the year hikernomination@meridian.org.za
Also nominations or volunteer for the committee to nominations@meridian.org.za
Please remember there will be no nominations or voting on the night of the AGM. 6.30pm at Wynberg Boys (Bill Bowden) Ask for a map when you RSVP if you don’t know how to get there. Snacks and a welcome drink provided. Cash Bar available. RSVP by 19/02/2012 to agm@meridian.org.za

Will ascend Disa Gorge from the museum and follow the Aquaduct where the Disa's abound before trying Junction Peak with it's cave and craggy ascents. Initally we'll ascend Constantia Corner and descend down through the forest afterwards to our cars Heavy rain cancels. Bring money for drinks afterwards. Meet Peter Phillips @ 8:00 at Constantia Nek. End ±3pm. 3Cc. Phone 021 674 3979 (no call me backs) or email prphillips@ruraldevelopment.gov.za

An evening of Jazz, picnic and beautiful summer sunset and listen to the cool sounds of VJR (Virtual Jazz Reality) with Ian Smith. R40 entrance fee. Bring your own picnic and drinks. Meet Iona Scholtz at Helderberg Nature Reserve, Somerset West. Music starts at 17h30. Meet on lawns from 16h00. Feel free to sms or call 0824980027 to make arrangements. Place for 3 in my car from Wynberg.

Up Witte River from Tweede Tol and Back. Rock Hopping all the way. Bring lots of food 2 L water and money for permit. Meet Sam at Lodge. From 8.30am to 4pm. Book on Fri 3 Feb at 9am. 2Bb. Tel: 082 498 0361.

Early start to beat the crowds. Walk to sea point then back along the beach swimming as we go. Meet John James @ 7am at P+P, Main Rd, Camps Bay. Ends ±12h00 and then lunch on the beach. 2Aa. Tel: 084 2499979.

Join us for a Sundowner or two. The “beach Bar” is a tent on the beach end of the field next to Kauai & Vida and is there for the season. Check out the website for more details: www.barocca.co.za
Meet Sam from 7pm at Barocca, Camps Bay Field, Camps Bay Beach Drive. Tel: 082 498 0361.

Up the Twirly-Whirly route. Sun Set: 19:47. Moon Rise: 19:54. Bring warm clothes, food, drinks, torch, etc to see sun set and moon rise. See: http://sites.google.com/site/mountainmeanderswiki/Home/Table-Mountain/front-face-north/lions-head-b
From 17h30 till late. Meet Maré at LH start close to Kramat. 2Bb. Email: mareascott@meridian.org.za

Sat, 11 Feb: (1) Myburgh Ravine or (2) Bottom part of Woodcutter's Trail or (3) Lekkerwater Traverse and Sun, 12 Feb: (1) TM Adventure or (2) Kasteels Buttress B.
See calendar for full details: http://www.meridian.org.za/calendar.htm

The prize giving to the person who gets the most votes in this category will be at the AGM on 22 February 2012. See you there! Send an email with name of person before 20 Feb to: hikernomination@meridian.org.za

The prize giving to the person who gets the most votes in this category will be at the AGM on 22 February 2012. See you there! Send an email with name of person before 20 Feb 2012 to: leadernomination@meridian.org.za

Interested in mid-week hikes? Open to suggestions. Contact Sam (082 498 0361) if you're keen!

A gentle 2.5 day, 28km coast hugging hike between the fishing villages of Paternoster and Jacobsbaai. The price is R2500 per person, with a 10% discount for groups of 8 or more. The price is fully inclusive of accommodations in 3-4 star guesthouses, dinners, breakfasts, lunches, guides, activities, equipment, luggage transport and local transfers. Basically, all you take is clothes, toothbrush and camera. I'm keen to do it as soon as possible, while the weather is still good. Please let me know if you are interested, email karen.watkins1@gmail.com

Get your passport ready! Get fit now! This 90 km hiking trail starts with a steep descent into the spectacular river gorge. Boulder hopping, some uphill shortcuts and river crossings, otherwise fairly flat. Dry season with warm days and cool nights. Full pack with all own equipment and food - recommend 15kg max and only dry food. River is flowing full so lots of water along the way. No ablution facilities, sleep under stars. Medical certificates are required. You must please program to do a few overnight hikes as well as full day hikes before departure. There will be a briefing before trip. Current cost for hike R250. Additional costs to be paid include: possible shared transport (around R600/p) plus accomm 2 nights camping (+/-R125/night) plus all your food/drinks, plus bus transfer to start of around R150/p. Depart 09h00 on Thurs 24 May, overnight at Noordoewer (Abiqua camp - around R80/p plus R40/ vehicle), drive to Ai-Ais and descend Friday afternoon 25 May. Hike to finish at Ai-Ais Hot Springs on Thursday 31 May. Overnight at Ai-Ais and drive back arriving C/Town late Friday 1 June. Please contact John Taylor: Cell: 082 5646001 or Email: john@bestcape.co.za

5 days hiking on the beach of the West Coast through breathtaking scenery and rock formations. Backpacks and tents are transported to overnight areas. 12 places, R1300 per person. Read more: http://www.footprint.co.za/swarttobie.htm and http://www.uncoverthecape.co.za/hiking-guide/hikes/swart-tobie/index.htm
Arrive 6 July and start hike 7th July. End 11th July and can drive back on 12th after spending another night at Bushman Cave. Moderate to strenuous - 3Ab to 4Ab - depending on the day. Need to be moderate fit. Call Lizette Gerber at 072-713-2485 to book.

No charge. Please send in a photo with a self addressed envelope to: Meridian Membership Card, c/o Nadja Vogl, 132 Ambleside Crescent, Plattekloof Glen, 7460, Please do not send photos by registered post as we have problems to collect them. Email any queries to: meridian@meridian.org.za

Only R120 p.a. to be part of this great club. Discounted family rates available, see website for details. Please deposit your membership fee directly in the 'Meridian Hiking Club' Account (please do not mail cash or cheques): Nedbank, Claremont Branch; Branch Code: 104609; Current Account # 1046348396.
Advise Denise at dlyoung@mweb.co.za or fax 086 594 9959 with your deposit or EFT details. Include your name for identification.
Please note that you also need to complete the renewal form, available to download from the website.
Very important: Membership cards are compulsory. If you don't have one, see below how to get one.

A Meridian Hiking Club group has been created on the social networking web site, Facebook. If you are a member of Facebook, click here and then join the group. If you are not yet a member of Facebook then go to www.facebook.com and join up.
Our group has been upgraded to the new groups format, which makes it easier for members to connect and share. What can you do in your group? Members can post and comment on updates, chat with everyone at once, schedule group events, create shared docs, and more. We are 625+ members strong, but we are looking for more. Please add all your Facebook friends to our group, even if they are not hikers, anyone is welcome to join our social events as well. Hike Leaders: Please advertise your weekend away & day hikes there!!! Hope to see your post soon!

Business cards are available for all Meridian members to hand out to prospective members that we meet during our every day lives. Please collect these from Sam Greyvenstein. Tel: 082 498 0361.

• Hiking boots/shoes & hiking socks (good sole support for longer routes).
• Comfortable day pack
• Sun block (apply before you start & re-apply during the day)
• Wide-brimmed hat (with fastening chord, for the wind)
• Warm clothing, suitable rain jacket/wind breaker (the temp can drop unexpectedly).
• Layers of clothing, gloves & beanie (in winter)
• At least 2 to 3 litres of water (depending on distance & weather)
• Food & snacks - consider distance/time & allow extra for emergencies.
• Cell phone - fully charged, on silent, with emergency & ICE numbers.
• Personal medication & relevant medical information.
• Personal first-aid kit.
• Emergency space blanket.
• Small, reliable (preferably head) torch, with extra batteries.
• Whistle (from a toy or sports shop)
• Copy of driver’s license or ID.
• Plastic packet for used tissues and other litter.
• Meridian membership card or R15 in change for your guest fee.
• Wild card with id or entry fee, if applicable.
• Click to read 'Essential Info for Hikers'

Length: (per day)
1 - short - up to 6 km
2 - short to medium - 6 to 10 km
3 - medium - 10 to 14 km
4 - long - 14 to 18 km
5 - very long - over 18 km
Gradient:
A - flat or undulating - Beach Walk, Contour Path, Pipe Track
B - medium - more uphill like Lion's Head
C - steep - Skeleton Gorge
D - steep with B-grade scrambling* - Devil's Peak via Knife Edge
E - steep with C-grade scrambling* - Kloof Corner.
Effort (fitness required):
a - easy
b - moderately easy
c - moderately fit
d - fit
e - very fit

*Notes on Scrambling
Scrambling involves moving over rock, using available hand & foot holds. Note that ropes will not be used & that you join us at your own risk.
B-grade: moderately-challenging & exposed
C-grade: more challenging & exposed

This page will be e-mailed to our subscribers every Friday. If you want a copy (or used to get one and not anymore) please subscribe at the Mailing Lists page: http://www.meridian.org.za/lists.htm