The Pine Tree Project

This one was a good one, very productive and great company.

Next pine eradication hike scheduled is 7 to 9 September..

Let me know if you're keen.

Cheers
Papa D

web.facebook.com/groups/hikers.south.africa/permalink/930999723754705/

Thanks to Ryan Lynx for this write-up and exposure..

Papa Dragon wrote: This one was a good one, very productive and great company.

Next pine eradication hike scheduled is 7 to 9 September..

Let me know if you're keen.

Cheers
Papa D

Re-scheduled, 12 to 14 October
Come and join us..

I went up to Marble Baths last weekend and noted a large grouping of pines just after you gain the heights near to the G7 junction.  It is in the little valley that starts at junction M9 on Gibisila Ridge.  Perhaps there is already knowledge of this.

Nabbed these two in the Cod's Eye Cave valley en route to Sleeping Beauty Cave. Before:



After:



There's still one more mature tree farther up the valley.

Hi guys

I was hiking this weekend up the Mzimkhulwana River from the hut on the Giant's Cup trail and I saw two small clumps (<20 trees) of mature pine trees on the slopes of the valley (kmz attached). Killing these would be a very achievable day trip, which I will attempt some time in the future.

Cheerio
Richard

Hi all

Our next scheduled pine hike is from 16 to 18 November, probably in the Monk's Cowl Jacob's Ladder area. Area will still be confirmed though.

We have organised some rope access training through MCSA KZN Section, if anyone is keen on receiving training, and willing to do a few pine hikes, let me know.

Also, we will be using battery operated chainsaws to some degree in the future, anyone want some training on chainsaw safety and technique, contact me.

If you're interested in joining the next pine hike, PM me with your cell no, and I'll add you to the WhatsApp group...

Looking forward to hearing from you..

Cheers
Papa D

Papa Dragon wrote: Hi all

Our next scheduled pine hike is from 16 to 18 November, probably in the Monk's Cowl Jacob's Ladder area. Area will still be confirmed though.

We have organised some rope access training through MCSA KZN Section, if anyone is keen on receiving training, and willing to do a few pine hikes, let me know.

Also, we will be using battery operated chainsaws to some degree in the future, anyone want some training on chainsaw safety and technique, contact me.

If you're interested in joining the next pine hike, PM me with your cell no, and I'll add you to the WhatsApp group...

Looking forward to hearing from you..

Cheers
Papa D

A shout out of thanks to Viking and The Real McCoy of MCSA KZN Section for the rope access training yesterday . Attended by Richard S and myself, unfortunately some others could not make it, but this will be passed on..

Getting back on topic, there is a large pine about 50m in front of poachers cave (Didima). If anyone heading there has the correct equipment it could be easily dealt with. Also a few mature ones along the path from Didima/Mhalwazini to Eagle cave.

Another very productive pine hike this weekend.

Friday and Saturday nights in Stable Cave. On Friday we worked at a site not far from Stable, in one of the valleys leading down to Eagle Gorge.
We cleared this site totally.

On Saturday we were at a site further south, toward Makhulumane Gorge. Tricky slope, and lots of undergrowth to get through, we cleared most of the trees, but left a few for next time...

Altogether, +- 170 trees felled for the weekend, between 5 of us..
Smurf and a splinter group also treated 2 trees near the junction of Eagle Gorge and Mhlwazini..

Thanks so much to the dedicated team, and to FlatDoggy for his continued support, lifts closer to the site, sending water to the cave etc...

Our next hike is planned to be Eagle Cave/Eagle Gorge area, probably early March 2018..

Cheers
Papa D