News

Welcome to the news section of our website. Listed below are the recent issues of our newsletter. On the right are the categories in which past articles are stored. If you are not receiving the newsletter, and would like news from us in categories of your choice, please subscribe now.,

Newsletter 14 Dec 2009

17/12/2009
This is the last issue of the newsletter for 2009.

Newsletter 7 December 2009

17/12/2009
Another bumper edition with over 20 articles to make up for the long gap. (As you all know by now, you may get fewer, depending on your preferences - see the panel on the right for what you get and what you may be missing.) Hint: Read All only displays the articles that match your preferences. To read what you may be misssing, click All Newsletters. In this issue: the December edition of the National eNews; an interesting and informative article on Search and Rescue; a book launch on the Top 12 Hiking Trails in the Western Cape; an innovative competition where you can earn up to 21 chances to win a copy of the book; our first online video; and much more. A feature of this issue is many links to relevant articles and websites elsewhere, such as UK Scrambling, UIAA, SA Mountain Sport, and more. This is what the web is all about - seamlessly linking multiple resources from a wide range of sources. Tony Heher Editor, MCSA Connect

Friday evening social: Winter Wonderland traversing the Hex

03/12/2009
A reminder of a great talk this Friday 4th Dec. See the article below for details and a preview of some fabulous slides. Next week will be the last edition of Connect for 2009. And for those who asked what happened to Connect, or why were they not getting emails, the last full newsletter was on 2 Nov. The gap was both because there had been just a tad too much too often and many of us were head down in the Cape Nature project. More on that next week.... There have been messages and short news items since then, but you may or may not have got these depending on your preferences. As we have said many times, what you get and how often is your choice. And remember, you can always check the website for the latest news or any article you may have missed. All are archived and available. You can also search for any topic. The search includes both all articles in all newsletters and all web pages - it does both automatically. Try it - it's amazing! (Hint - look top left on any article for the search function) Tony Heher, Editor, MCSA Connect.

A survey of the CapeNature booking procedures

17/11/2009
A short update on the review project and a survey asking for input from all who have interacted with the CapeNature booking office. (Please note that if you use a dial-up connection, you need to stay connected to complete the survey. It only takes 1-2 minutes to complete, so you will not need to connect for long!) PS The recent message about lost keys re-united the owner with their keys within about 30 minutes! So Connect is "connecting", not only members with members, and members with information, but also members with their lost property! Watch the Buy & Sell and the Expeditions & Trails categories for more matching of members needs .... Tony Heher Editor, MCSA Connect

Newsletter 2 November 2009

10/12/2009
The new look website and newsletter is launched with this issue - please read this editorial carefully and use the Help files or, if you are still unsure, ask the Editor! It may be us, not you, if something looks strange or doesn't work. Also, some background on the exciting project with Cape Nature that provides an opportunity for input from many members. Please read and indicate which dates are suitable, if you can attend any of the trail reviews. There are also three profiles, several meet descriptions (one, a new route), a new social (a dance evening, no less) and more. All in all, a bumper edition to make up for the two-week gap! The newsletter navigation has been improved - it is now easier to see what is in and out of your profile, easier to read only what you want, and a number of new categories have been added. Members are encouraged to actively review their preferences (the list on the right) to ensure they only receive news that is of interest to them. Please note that "omitted" articles are not lost - they can still be read on the website. So do experiment with your preferences, which you can vary from week to week, if you want to. Thanks to all who have submitted articles, but to keep the newsletter to a reasonable length some had to be omitted - my apologies. Enough material is arriving to publish 15 - 20 articles every week. The main constraint is time to edit - as well as time to read! ....more on that in the next issue. If you select all categories, you will get 10 - 15 articles a week (20 - 30 every two weeks). If you want fewer, select fewer!

Newsletter 12 October 2009

29/10/2009
In this issue: - Results from the survey last week provide some interesting insights - Three meet reports with stunning pictures - Some rock news - for a change! - And Flowers of the Week are back (missing last week because Connect issued earlier than normal) Tony Heher Editor, MCSA Connect

Newsletter 6 October 2009

15/10/2009
This issue has an important survey which all members, new or long serving, are asked to complete - it only takes 2 minutes. Please also note that the Club has also been asked to assist Cape Nature with a survey of a number of hiking trails. This is an important new initiative for the club.

Newsletter 30 September 2009

07/10/2009
With President Dave Jones off to the annual UIAA meeting this week, a focus on international news with two UIAA articles and two sets of overseas visitors looking to link up with local climbers. And a new series to complement the Flower of the Week - Flowers of the Month. Hugh Clark, author of Common Wild Flowers of Table Mountain, has contributed pictures of 84 flowers, a selection of which will be displayed in a gallery each month. Enjoy! Stop press: Background and news of the three hikers who died of hypothermia this weekend.

Newsletter 23 September 2009

28/09/2009
The Chairman's report from the Half-yearly meeting and a medly of other news - 14 articles in 12 different categories so something for everyone!

Newsletter 9 September 2009

28/09/2009
In this issue: An interview with Dave Jones, President of the MCSA; profile of new member Czerina Patel; 50th birthday celebrations; two meet reports; and the results of the survey last week.

Newsletter 2 September 2009

17/09/2009
In this issue: a reader survey; a new MCSA Conservation Forum; the 4th Quarter 2009 edition of Mountain Ears; some comments on the Agtertafleberg changes and more...

Newsletter 26 August 2009

10/09/2009
In this issue: Next 1st Tuesday; Agtertafelberg Hut changes; 2 meet reports and the ever-popular Flowers of the Week.

Newsletter 19 August 2009

24/08/2009
In this issue: Announcement of the National Meet at in 2010; the Annual Dinner; three personalities; a welcome to new members; and four articles on environmental issues.

Newsletter 13 August 2009

29/10/2009
In this issue: A guest editorial from Stephen Davey; some background to the website; a profile of Nigel and Lisa Basel; and a number of articles on how the newsletter works. This old newsletter is automatically sent to new members who did not receive it originaly as an aid to understanding how the newsletter, website and calendar work. Please also refer to the Help function in each and every newsletter as this has more background and is periodically updated with new information. Please note in particular that you can set your own preferences to determine what articles you receive in each issue - just click "My Account".

Newsletter 29 July 2009

30/07/2009
In this issue: a bumper crop of meet reports, and three history articles for a change. Paul and Mallorie Lee are the personalities this week. The flowers of the week are back after going AWOL last week - to the disappointment of many!

Newsletter 22 July 2009

30/07/2009
In this issue: a profile of Mark Middelton; a tribute to Ivor Davies; meet reports; some bits and pieces on conservation and more.

Newsletter 14 July 2009

30/07/2009
A focus in this issue on security with a number of articles. The Walking Buddy group is up and running, so do join if you want to walk with an informal group, or are willing to take people with you. And of course our ever popular Personalties with our first couple: Richard & Robin Sherry.

Newsletter 7 July 2009

30/07/2009
In this issue: A focus on scrambling safety. The comments and contributions raise a number of issues for discussion and debate. Some are quite controversial! So if you have an interest in scrambling safety, then read the articles and contribute your views.

Newsletter 30 June 2009

30/07/2009
A bumper edition this week! Three profiles and a wide range of other articles. Connect is becoming known and 'stuff' just arrives every week. Too much? Then read 'All about Preferences' to design your own custom newsletter.

Newsletter 23 June 2009

15/07/2009
In this issue: a profile of Jayson Orton; another rescue report; two meet reports... and the usual bits and pieces that (thankfully!) arrive every week.

Newsletter 16 June 2009

29/06/2009
In this issue: A new Mountain Rescue topic; Dagmar Gleiss, is the personality this week and introducing a new Fynbos topic - the flower of the week; the Oudekraal saga resurfaces; and a mystery photo to test your mountain knowledge...

Newsletter 9 June 2009

16/06/2009
The attacks on TM caught the attention of many last week and generated lots of feedback. Do keep sending. Another personality of course with Mike setting a new standard for a "photogenic" bio - you will find his multi-media show fascinating.