This and That on VE

This thread is an experiment. I'd like to create a more informal space for sharing anything that may be relevant to the VE community. I find sometimes that it would be nice if there were a quick way to post snippets and updates, even just a thought. I use the "VE announcements" to inform members of important changes but that thread tends to be formal and committing in its nature. I'd like this to be a place for less formal chats, and even a place to let members know what is being considered or in development for the site. Anyone is welcome to post on this thread with things that are relevant for the community.

VE is entering its 12th year of existence. It continues to operate independently and not for monetary gain. Yes, there are a few Google ads on the site -  these do not generate much and go towards hosting expenses.  What I want for VE is that it continues to be driven by a pure passion for mountains. May 2019 prove true to this.

While many of you have been talking of the hot summer temperatures (and hopefully enjoying that sunshine!), ClimbyKel and myself have been enjoying our skiing on this side of the globe. This is me under all that gear, sporting one of my VE buffs.


That's it for now!

So I'm still busy with a lot of re-shuffling on the forum. Partly this is due to the age of the forum, that it needs a good clean up, and in part it is also a preparation for the new site feature. The new feature will catalogue everything Berg related and every entry should then have a corresponding forum thread where information is collected and discussed and where questions can be asked.

Specific to Berg Passes which I am currently working on, up until now we have simply waited for threads to be created as the need arises. Most of the passes have been covered in this way. Now I am fine-combing the lists and creating threads for passes that don't have their own thread yet. They may never have come up in conversation because they are seldom done, or they may have been described in trip reports and GPS downloads which are stored elsewhere. You will see me create these new threads over the next while, they will mostly just be place holders. Members are encouraged to add write-ups and their own photos to these new threads. If you see good descriptions in trip reports (in the Drakensberg Trips sub-categories) please post a cross-reference link in the new threads.

I don't know how much of this makes the news elsewhere but Canada and parts of the US have been affected by a weather phenomenon called a "polar vortex". Hmm, basically means its even colder than usual. It  started in the East last week and has now moved its way over to the West. Last week a place called Key Lake in Canada recorded an air temperature of -47.2 deg C, and chill factors have been close or over -50 in some towns and cities. The North Pole in comparison was said to be at about -32 deg C at the time. I'm in a very mild part of Canada but the chill factors were around -20 in the local mountains this weekend. Definitely needed extra layers but the skiing was still great!


 A big forum clean-up is still in progress. I really hope people will find it easier to locate things on the forum!

The work group for the Maloti-Drakensberg peaks has been quiet for some time but we are still working on this mammoth task and will present an update as soon as we can.

We are entering summer in Canada and I thought I would do a quick post here. Its a time to tan legs that have gone horribly pale, a time to do house and yard maintenance, and a time to go on holiday. It's also a time to do all those mountain trips you've been thinking about. The snow recedes, the days can be very long and sunny and when you aren't busy fighting off mosquitoes and black flies, there are definitely some good adventures to be had in the hills. Please always remember, that though there are times when my own activity on the site is quiet, it is never forgotten and all the projects do continue in the long term.

No doubt readers will have noticed that we have covered many passes on the forum now and that the threads have been rearranged. That little project is almost complete and it lays an important foundation for new features on the site and establishes a pattern that we will persist in other things too. Where possible, please add to the new pass threads that have been started with your own info, photos, GPS data and stories. This is what will continue to keep the site as interesting and relevant as it is. And it is always important to get different perspectives on a topic. Just because there is one write-up already, doesn't mean that your own contribution isn't needed. The more people contribute the closer you arrive at the true picture!

Hi everyone,

within the space of a few weeks, our world changed. Our lives have been impacted in many different ways. And our access to the mountains, and the sports we love, is significantly restricted, if not fully.

I know many have complained of boredom. For me it has been one of the busiest periods that I remember, but not for reasons relating to the pandemic. Either way, busy or bored, each day is a fresh gift of time that is invested in us. May we all find ways of rendering good returns on that investment. Periodically I find myself wishing I could do more for VE. As many will know, VE continues to be an volunteer initiative and is not commercially oriented. Because of this, the time and energy invested into it always has to be checked and balanced. Please know that the site continues to run even during times when I can do less for it.

Stay safe everyone, and hopefully before long, we can head for the hills again!

tiska wrote:

Morning all,
Simple question for the VE community:
Why is the forum so very quiet these days?

 A valid question. I think forums do ebb and flow in activity. And yes, certain things can get "catalogued " as you say. I also believe that there are several innovative things we can still do on VE which can stimulate more interaction. 

For my own part, I can assure the community here of the full intention to keep VE running. And it's OK for it to go through quieter periods, considering that VE has been running for 18 years.

I would like to thank and acknowledge smurfatefrog and JonWells for their ongoing support in helping to moderate VE (and yes, sometimes we have our hands full with spammers!). I also thank tonymarhsall who has been plugging away at the Berg pass index pages, in addition to contributing so much documentation on the passes. And to those who have had conversations with me about software upgrades and improvements (you know who you are) - thank you, and lets keep chatting. And yes, there is a major software overhaul that is coming for the site. Once this is done, I will have more capacity to continue with some of the more innovative ideas for the site!

Regardless of chatter levels here or elsewhere - lets keep our passion for the mountains strong. And let's continue to be proud of our very own Drakensberg!