Prospective Members The Mountain Club is a dynamic organisation and is the premier mountaineering body in KwaZulu-Natal. Our members are involved in many aspects of mountaineering including hiking, rock-climbing, competition-climbing and ice-climbing, search and rescue, conservation and expeditions. Through years of experience the Club has become a leader in these fields Advantages of membership Regular hiking meets in the Drakensberg. Regular rock-climbing meets both locally and in the rest of South Africa. Regular sport and competition climbing events. Privileged access to Club-owned land around the country. Free access to three mountain huts in the Drakensberg. Reduced fees for and access to all other huts owned by the Mountain Club of SA. Social and slide/video evenings in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Access to Mountain Club libraries both in Durban and around the country. Opportunities to attend national and international mountaineering events. The national body to whom we are affiliated is a member of the world mountaineering body, the UIAA. With this come many advantages for members including huge reductions in Alpine hut fees, expeditions abroad and access to mountain information. Members receive newsletters and a hardcover, professionally produced Journal. Categories of membership There are several categories of membership which cater for all needs of the mountaineering community. Ordinary member (Married and Single): These categories provide our basic form of membership for all persons over 17 years of age. The married members avoid the duplication of correspondence and therefore enjoy a lower annual fee. Country member (Married and Single): These categories are intended for those people over 17 years who are also members of other sections of the MCSA. These grades do not receive the annual journal. Ordinary Associate: This grade is intended for members between the age of 13 and 17 years. These members receive a journal, but do not have voting rights. Associate member: This grade is identical to the above except that the journal is not included in the annual membership fee. Family members: This category provides the opportunity for children of our current members to become part of the club before the age of 13. More Information about activities A Meet-sheet is sent to all members twice a year giving the details of forthcoming meets with contact details of the meet leader. The meets are graded on the Meet-sheet to give members an idea of the sort of trip planned. The grading is as follows: 1 A family meet suitable for chidren 2 An easy hiking trip 3 A moderate hiking trip 4 A strenuous hiking trip requiring a high degree of fitness 5 A rock-climbing trip The meet leaders co-ordinate transport, tents and catering as necessary. Note that many hiking members join rock-climbing meets without feeling obliged to climb. Sport and competition climbing Club members are involved with promoting and participating in sport and competition climbing. Several meets and competitions are organised each year. Members have access to the use of a Club drill and a bolting fund. Rock-climbing and mountaineering Many of our members are avid climbers on rock, snow and ice. Although there are many Club organised trips to all areas of southern Africa a great advantage of membership is the opportunity to meet other climbers and join them on privately organised outings. Hiking The majority of our members are hikers and walkers. Club hikes are done in a variety of areas of the province including the Drakensberg. These are great outings to get to know our local mountains and trails. July Camp The KwaZulu-Natal Section organises and runs a two week camp in the Drakensberg every year starting on the first Saturday of July. This camp has become an institution in its own right with members from all Sections throughout the Republic, as well as overseas visitors participating every year. While in base camp all meals are cooked by the camp staff. Leaders take both rock-climbing and hiking parties out on sub camping trips for either several days, or for day trips returning to base camp each night. Social Functions Durban: Our clubroom and library is situated at the Berea Rovers Club in Jacko Jackson Drive (off NMR Ave, behind the Absa/Kings Park rugby stadium). Talks or slide shows are arranged for the first Wednesday of each month and braais are held from time to time at this venue. Pietermaritzburg: A social evening and slide/video show is held on the last Wednesday of each month at the Crossways Hotel in Hilton commencing at 7.15 pm. Search and Rescue The Club has over many decades and in co-operation with conservation bodies, EMRS , the SAPS and the SAAF helped to organise mountain search and rescue operations. This service to the community is voluntary, and members of the rescue team give up many hours to provide this worthwhile service. The team welcomes newcomers and practises are held at local cliffs and in the Drakensberg National Meets The Club organises meets in different parts of the country in which members from all sections are invited to participate. This affords members the opportunity to get to know the fantastic diversity of mountain ranges in our country. International Expeditions The Club organises expeditions to mountain ranges all over the world. MCSA members have climbed and even made 1st ascents in ranges in New Zealand, Antarctica, North and South America, the Himalayas, Europe as well as other African countries How to join If you feel you may like to become a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Section, then please complete and return the attached 'Application for membership form', together with the entrance and subscription fees and a recent photograph (for your membership card) to the Honorary Secretary. On receipt of your application, you will be placed on our mailing list and will be kept informed of our activities by means of a six-weekly circular and a six-monthly meets schedule. This will immediately give you the opportunity to participate in our activities. You are encouraged to meet and get to know some Club members before applying for membership. On your application form you will need a proposer and seconder both of whom must be members of at least two years standing, and at least one signature on your application should be a committee member who will present your application to the committee for approval.