Mountain Africa Guided Mountain Walks

03/09/2018

This is the backup and support that World Challenge gives all the teams out on expedition.

27/08/2018

05/09/2017

Mt Kinabalu 4095m asl, Borneo 2017

11/05/2017

World Challenge - Marist Brothers Linmeyer South Africa
During April 2017 Marist Brothers under the auspices of MCAF and World Challenge volunteered at Shree Navadurga Basic School just outside Pokhara. This was an exciting project for the challengers and they thoroughly enjoyed their engagement with the community. Everyone of us came back with lasting memories of the warm community welcome, their positive engagement with our team and gratitude for the privilege of being able to volunteer at the school. A big thank you to Jeevan Lama Hyolmo and Norbu Tamang for facilitating our visit to the school as well as a big thank you to the Head Teacher and his staff for being so warm and hospitable. World Challenge Jeevan Lama Hyolmo Norbu Tamang Marist Brothers Linmeyer

09/05/2017

Annapurna Base Camp 4130m ASL April 2017

07/05/2017

Nepal April 2017
Kathmandu is different where it shows the most is in the difference between the tense faces of new tourist arrivals and the relaxed ones that have been in country for a period. The Nepali attitude rubs off on you, sure vehicle ho***rs are blown but to warn others of your presence not to blast them out of your way. Continual traffic jams happen but no road rage. Namaste goes a long way. I enjoyed the simple meals like Dal Bhat and Masala Tea with the occasional fried rice and veg, oh and the highlight for me was the various Thali's, delicious. The trekking was outstanding with enough of the strenuous factor thrown in and even a good snowfall on the way to ABC.
Thank you Nepal for your hospitality and warmth I've come back the better for my encounter with your country.

30/01/2017

Powerful poster from SanParks. Thank you Elna Chapman - "Who's joining me? I posted the pic in a private group because of a recent spate of poachings. Was totally overwhelmed by the reaction it generated. Almost 2000 reactions in 24 hrs. Please everyone, let this go viral internationally." It's a fight worth fighting - see this rhino story of hope: http://bit.ly/ThandiCalf

18/01/2017

Wild Medix course confirmed, we have a lift off.

12/01/2017

30/12/2016

29/12/2016

NSRI are appealing to the public to not set off Sky Lanterns. Sky Lanterns floating in the sky can present a similar appearance to Distress Flares. Eye Witnesses mistake Sky Lanterns for Distress F…

21/09/2016

The caracal is wreaking havoc under the colonies of African penguins in the region. Several recreational facilities has also been closed to to the animals' presence.

08/09/2016

Otter Trail Cancellation
Hi All I'm urgently looking for 12 places on the Otter Trail for the period 12 April 2017 - 1 May 2017. Please let me know if you are about to cancel or know of someone that is about to.

07/09/2016

I happened on this video while researching equipment. The beauty of the landscape and Cheyene's narration make it a gripping watch. How often do we do things and our inner voice screams? Don't do it! Sometimes we ignore it with little or no consequences but other times.........

http://blog.mountainhardwear.com/haywire/

Like any true adventure, things don’t go as planned. Cheyne Lempe provides a gripping story of risk, success, and failure, featuring incredible visuals that capture the raw beauty and power ...

03/09/2016

I often get asked how the Valley of the Red Gods on Table Mountain got its name. If any readers can add further details about this please feel free.
Legend has it that a Mountain Club Member used to quote Kiplings poem before disappearing onto the mountain.

The feet of the young men
Now the Four-way Lodge is opened, now the Hunting Winds are loose --
Now the Smokes of Spring go up to clear the brain;
Now the Young Men's hearts are troubled for the whisper of the Trues,
Now the Red Gods make their medicine again!
Who hath seen the beaver busied? Who hath watched the black-tail mating?
Who hath lain alone to hear the wild-goose cry'
Who hath worked the chosen water where the ouananiche is waiting,
Or the sea-trout's jumping-crazy for the fly?

He must go -- go -- go away from here!
On the other side the world he's overdue.
'Send your road is clear before you where the old Spring-fret comes o'er you,
And the Red Gods call for you!

So for one the wet sail arching through the rainbow-round the bow,
And for one the creak of snow-shoes on the crust;
And for one the lakeside lilies where the bull-moose waits the cow,
And for one the mule-train coughing in the dust.
Who hath smelt smelt-smoke at twilight? Who hath heard the birch-log burning?
Who is quick to read the noises of the night?
Let him follow with the others for the Young Men's feet are turning
Too the camps of proved desire and known delight!

Let him go -- go, etc.

I

Do you know the blackened timber -- do you know that racing stream
With the raw, right-angled log-jam at the end;
And the bar of sun-warmed shingle where a man may bask and dream
To the click of shod canoe-poles round the bend'
I is there that we are going with our rods and reels and traces,
To a silent, smoky Indian that we know --
To a couch of new-pulled hemlock, with the starlight on our faces,
For the Red Gods call us out and we must go!

They must go -- go, etc.

II

Do you know the shallow Baltic where the seas are steep and short,
Where the bluff, lee-boarded fishing-luggers ride?
Do you know the joy of threshing leagues to leeward of your port
On a coast you've lost the chart of overside?
It is there that I am going, with an extra hand to bale her --
Just one able 'long-shore loafer that I know.
He can take his chance of drowning, while I sail and sail and sail her,
For the Red Gods call me out and I must go!

He must go -- go, etc.

III

Do you know the pile-built village where the sago-dealers trade --
Do you know the reek of fish and wet bamboo?
Do you know the steaming stillness of the orchid-scented glade
When the blazoned, bird-winged butterflies flap through?
It is there that I am going with my camphor, net, and boxes,
To a gentle, yellow pirate that I know --
To my little wailing lemurs, to my palms and flying-foxes,
For the Red Gods call me out and I must go!

He must go -- go, etc.

IV

Do you know the world's white roof-tree -- do you know that windy rift
Where the baffling mountain-eddies chop and change?
Do you know the long day's patience, belly-down on frozen drift,
While the head of heads is feeding out of range?
It is there that I am going, where the boulders and the snow lie,
With a trusty, nimble tracker that I know.
I have sworn an oath, to keep it on the Horns of Ovis Poli,
And the Red Gods call me out and I must go!

He must go -- go, etc.

How the Four-way Lodge is opened -- now the Smokes of Council rise --
Pleasant smokes, ere yet 'twixt trail and trail they choose --
Now the girths and ropes are tested: now they pack their last supplies:
Now our Young Men go to dance before the Trues!
Who shall meet them at those altars -- who shall light them to that shrine?
Velvet-footed, who shall guide them to their goal?
Unto each the voice and vision: unto each his spoor and sign --
Lonely mountain in the Northland, misty sweat-bath 'neath the Line --
And to each a man that knows his naked soul!

White or yellow, black or copper, he is waiting, as a lover,
Smoke of funnel, dust of hooves, or beat of train --
Where the high grass hides the horseman or the glaring flats discover --
Where the steamer hails the landing, or the surf-boat brings the rover --
Where the rails run out in sand-rift . . . Quick! ah, heave the camp-kit over,
For the Red Gods make their medicine again!

And we go -- go -- go away from here!
On the other side the world we're overdue!
'Send the road is clear before you when the old Spring-fret comes o'er you,
And the Red Gods call for you!

Rudyard Kipling

26/08/2016

World Challenge with St Thomas School July/August 2016

18/07/2016

Transcontinental travel is always fun but its the layovers between flights that get you. A recent example, we left Hanoi and had a 10 hour layover in Hong Kong, landed in Johannesburg and had a 4 hour layover. Durban another 4 hour layover before flying on to Cape Town. I then had a 4 day layover before getting on a flight to Dar es Salaam. NOT complaining, I'm very excited to get this trip at such short notice. Tanzania here I come!

16/07/2016