Wildcard Renewal process sucks

So far this has been my experience in getting our WildCard updated:

1 Nov:
Get email notification that Infinity no longer manages Wild Card. they said to pls go to SANPARKS website and update your card so that the new management have what they need to have.

• we go there to update the information.  We get linked to www.wildcard.co.za and then we have to find the form...

19 Nov:
get sms from INFINITY to say the following:
"WILD Cardholder: Your WILD Card, 1234xxxxx, is expiring on 21/12/2010. GO WILD, renew your WILD Card by calling 0861234002 or visiting www.wildcard.co.za"

• since we have done the website thing, we called the given number.
• we get told to go to the nearest WildCard (Sanparks) office... Canal Walk Entrance 2.
• at the office in Canal Walk we get given and told to fill in this form and fax it to 021 701 8773 (Done)

after completing the above form, I venture off to phone SANPARKS on 0861 469 453, the phone rang and then I was put on hold for 4 minutes, and then got cut off.

again, I decided to call 0861234002 again to find out something else, again they refer me to Sanparks.

my point being:
all this backwards and forwards commotion to get this card updated so that we can go on holiday with a valid card... getting directed from pillar to post.

1. After updating our info on the SANPARKS website, they now tell us its not valid we have to do it again.  we do it again... for just in case.
2. Calling the number on the Wildcard sms, only to be told we must actually call another number...
3. Call the other number, to be put on hold for 4 minutes and then get cut off...
4. going to Canal Walk to be told its not there its somewhere else...
5. have been given the above form to fax off into cyberspace and hoping something will be done about it.

why all the missioning? why not send out 1 sms to refer us to SOMEONE SOMEWHERE that can help us to get it done first time. 

I just dont know how companies actually survive.  grrr

Whats On? A job opportunity and some awesome hikes around the Western Cape

Opportunity to work on Gough Island - Urgent: last boat leaves on 23 Nov

"One of the 2 field assistants who went down to Gough Island in September has to return to Cape Town for medical reasons. We have a very small window to recruit a potential replacement - last ship to the island sails on 23 November (2 weeks!)

If any of you know someone who might be keen at very short notice to drop everything and go to Gough until October 2011, please send Richard (richard_cuthbert@yahoo.co.uk) and me (pryan31@gmail.com) their details. Ideally we need someone with basic rope access skills, as part of the job entails ongoing control of Sagina on the cliffs adjacent to the base.

The balance of the work includes seabird monitoring and some research as well as work with the land birds (checking them in captivity in the lead up to a potential mouse eradication attempt). There is another field worker on the island who will be able to lead the team.
Please send this on to anyone who might be interested.

Many thanks
Peter Ryan
Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
University of Cape Town


Friday, November 19
Don Jepson will show Trail hiking in the Swiss Alps combined with early winter snow - September 2010 (Hosted by Gill Gimberg)

Weekend, November 20 & 21
The HIGHLANDS TRAIL is a two-day circular route (37km) in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. The walk starts in the forests between Grabouw and Kleinmond. The first day descends to Botriviervlei and then continues along the beach to Kleinmond. We'll overnight at a hut in Kleinmond and return the next day via Perdeberg Peak. Maximum group size of 10. Convenor Bruce Spottiswoode 084 548 8220. Book from 8 November. Co-convenor Christina Jongens 072 241 8530.

Saturday, November 20
(Conservation)
Meet at the top of Price Drive, Constantia at 2pm. Jos de Gendt 021 712 7506

Weekend, November 20 & 21
SCORPION AND TARANTULA PEAKS, WAAIHOEK MOUNTAINS. Leave early Saturday morning for 2 long days of big walking over rough mountain terrain, so a high level of fitness required. Full overnight gear required. Convenor Chris Goodwin 083 310 1747 before 8pm. Book from 8 November. Co-convenor Mark Middleton 082 924 5605.

Sunday, November 21
RIGHT FACE / ARROW FACE. Table Mountain classic with some B grade scrambling and moderate exposure. Suitable for the not so fit as the pace will be “unhurried”. (Dave’s not so good with uphill any more!) . Convenor Dave Wolfaardt David@WeDrive.co.za anytime, or call 082 378 5072 from 15 November between 6-8pm. Co-convenor, Jenni Fitzell.

Thursday, November 25
(Classic rock) MUIZENBERG RECESS (E grade). A most attractive Muizenberg trad rock climb with a delightful traverse and face climb on the first pitch. Numbers limited. Convenor Eric Harley 021 712 3642. Book from 22 November. Co-convenor Jose Heitor 082 460 9858.

Thursday, November 25
OPPELSKOP RIDGE - DEVILS PEAK ‘B’ scrambling. Meet at Tafelberg road parking under the bluegums below the Saddle zig-zag path at 07h30. NO NEED TO BOOK BUT don’t be late else you will miss us because we will leave promptly. Bring clothing for all kinds of weather (ie for hot and cold), and enough food and drinks for morning tea and lunch. We hope to be back at the cars by mid afternoon so don’t come if you have to be home before that. We will do something no matter what the weather, but may amend the route depending on conditions. Convenors Mike & Doreen Scott.

Friday, November 26
Bushveld Khaki Fever by Jane Goodfellow
Gill Gimberg will introduce Jane Goodfellow, who will give a slide presentation and tell us how her mid-life crisis led to her spending 6 months in the bushveld and two months in Namibia amongst wild animals, and will explain the dangers of khaki fever!

Saturday, November 27
TOUR OF TABLE MOUNTAIN! Start at Constantia Nek, follow the contour path to the base of Platteklip Gorge, with a detour via Newlands Ravine. Ascend Table Mountain via Platteklip (or Left Face B, weather permitting) and then make our way to the TM hut where we spend the night. The next day we either return straight to the Nek (easy option) or go down via Llandudno Ravine, and then follow the trail that takes us towards Myburgh’s Waterfall Ravine, but we drop down to Farrier’s Way at that point and hike back up to the Nek via the pipe track on the other side of Constantia main road. Reasonably fast pace, with grade of B+ if we take Left Face B. Party limited to 12. Convenor Guy Meredith 084 615 4370 or email guy.meredith@amberjack.co.za. Book from 22 November. Co-convenor Jonathan Mylrea.

Weekend, November 27 & 28
ARRANGIESKOP 2-day trail overlooking Robertson. This includes a tough ascent rewarded by the king of hiking lodges at the day’s end. Nervous Sunday slope shuffles in the morning are followed by easy country downhills. Convenor Dave Wolfaardt David@WeDrive.co.za anytime, or call 082 378 5072 from 1 November between 6-8pm. First six paid up applicants only (price TBC). Co-convenor Jenni Fitzell.

Saturday, November 27
(Outreach) END OF YEAR OUTING: NEWLANDS FOREST (early due to school holidays). Please volunteer to help with the day's activities, hikes and preparing the food. Convenor: Urs Huber (H) 021 559 7947 or 084 713 5545.

Source: Mountain Club South Africa (Explore - Discover - Protect - Connect) 

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Crime Warning Table Mountain

Warning from the mountain rescue crew: 

The latest crime hotspots for hikers and riders in Cape Town are 

• the Saddle of Devil's Peak, 

• Newlands ravine, and 

• Cecila forest. 

There is probably more than one gang operating at the moment. There are also isolated incidents of muggings on the cycle ...tracks on the slopes of Devil's Peak.