Mountain Club of South Africa - Cape Town Section

Reminder: Half-Yearly General Meeting on Friday 30th

Dear Members

You are reminded of our Half-Yearly General Meeting of Members which will take place on Friday 30 September 2011 at 7.30pm for 8pm. Please support this by attending. There will be a discussion on the proposal of relocating the Du Toit's Kloof Hut and refreshments will be served at the meeting.

Hope to see you all there.

Regards,
Brian Lambourne
Gencom Vice- Chair

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Climb ZA - Administrator

Does anyone know what locations are being considered for the relocation of the hut

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Climb ZA - Administrator

Taken from half yearly circular email.



''The proposal is for the Club to agree to a land exchange, whereby Fisantekraal Farm acquire the Du Toit’s Kloof Hut, and the erf on which it stands and in exchange, the MCSA lease from Fisantekraal Farm, on a long term basis, a sufficient area of “new” land high up on the north east ridge above the entrance road to the farm, (below the “Gendarme” on route to Du Toit’s Kloof Peak itself), on which to build a new Hut. Along with this area of land, the exact extent of which is still to be defined, will come a servitude right of vehicular access to a new car parking area close to the “new” Hut. This would entail driving up the existing road, through the gate, and on up to top of the hill. At this point the servitude access right of way would veer off to the east across the old protea land, and then on and up in a northerly direction to the proposed new Hut position, which would be on a vlakte just below the ridge line and close to the Cape Nature Property boundary.

The site itself has magnificent views to the south towards Wemmershoek Tafelberg, east to Deception Peak, and west to the Witteberg. The site is out of sight of both the N1 in the valley behind, and of the farm buildings & access road to the south east. Along with this right of vehicular access to the new Hut location, will come a new servitude access walking route to the Agtertafelberg hut, by way of the “high” road across the old protea land, which would eventually end up close to the lower reaches of the pass which leads up to the land close to the Agtertafelberg Hut.

While the proposed site enjoys stunning views and is a wonderful location from which to start out on many hiking and climbing trips, it is entirely without any of the creature comforts that the well-established trees around the existing Du Toit’s Kloof Hut provide. Nor will there be a swimming hole, at least not in the short term, although an assured water supply to the site is proposed as part of the total package. The site will be exposed to the elements for many years to come, although in time it should be possible to grow trees and high shrubs around the new Hut. ''

Hope this helps.

Thanks Smityb

I think this is a great idea.

It will be a shame to lose such a great asset, however (to the best of my knowledge) the occupancy rate at the hut is low and I remember crime being a problem there.
My feeling is that the MCSA should negotiate a permanent arrangement rather than leasing the "new" land (by the time the trees have grown the lease might be up!).

Anyone who was at the meeting care to comment

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Climb ZA - Administrator