We've just received a short report from the South Africans on how our Brit team fared in South Africa on the recent joint BMC- KZ-N MCSA Meet.

The party of 4 women and 4 men arrived on Friday the 3rd May, consisting of some with as little as 5 years experience and climbing up to grade 14 (VS) to others of like Dave Rogers with 35 years of climbing and leading 23 (E4). Still slightly jet lagged they we given a warm welcome at Alison and Mervyn Gans home. Here Alison immediately became a firm favourite with a her ability to party most of the night - many very tired people were seen the next day . Next morning it was off to White Umfolozi crag for 3 days of hard climbing. Host MCSA climbers joined in showing the visitors around the rock. All the classic lines were climbed by several parties and 3 new routes opened by them. Kate Arnold of the BMC took a 10 m (almost ground fall) off "Day Tripper" but got back on and finished the route. Next it was back to Durban and dinner in the city on Monday night. On Tuesday 8 MCSA joined them at the Boneyard where again scores of climbs were done. Greg and Scott also showed them up some of the crags harder lines.

That evening was then spent watching the "Oceans of Fear " video at Colorado's Hotel. On Wednesday and Thursday the MCSA showed them around Monteseel's best routes. Greg Wooding took the trouble to show them how to party with a trip to the Bush Bar and later dangling from trees off Monties crag. The Poms will never be the same again ! The last two days were spent at Sentinel with most parties doing the Angus-Leppan Route and Standard Route. Two BMC and two locals teamed up on the SE Arete Route and after much climbing and fear were thrown a top rope by Greig Stewart as it got dark. Eventually the entire group were back at the hut sipping beers by 10:30 pm ! The Brits seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves, climbed extremely well and inspired many locals to get out there and climb. At the final dinner held at Crossways Hotel our Club was presented with coffee table guide books to climbing on the Isle of Skye and the Lake District. In addition the group has made a finacial pledge to the Club to help purchase a servitude at White Umfolozi. A fantastic gesture and our heart felt thanks for this. A big thanks to all those Club members who helped host , offered transport , beds for the night , extra meals etc. Especially Alison and Christine who provided so much of the accomodation and Gavin P who had White Umfolozi so well sorted out. A more detailed report will follow.

« Back