Fatality in Skeleton Gorge onTable Mountain

I think this is where it happened and would like to remind all visitors to Table Mountain to please be very careful.  This mountain has 4 seasons in 1 day.  The rain makes is extremely vulnerable for rockfalls and creates very slippery surfaces.  My sincere condolences to the American family. 

IOL.com News Article of this sad incident.

Storm Warning for Cape Town

Please be aware that on current synoptic patterns we have a massive coastal storm approaching that will coincide with a spring high tide. Wednesday morning we are likely to see gale force winds of 70km/h associated with 12-16 m swell and a spring tide carrying all the way through to Thursday. In addition, the storm moves to the south so we should see large swells impacting False Bay as well.

This storm has the potential to cause significant damage to our coast, both public and private property.

Please take note all Sport and Recreation: be aware of the possibility of damage to property and a suggestion is that Disaster Management consider issuing a press release warning the public and even suggesting that they stay away from areas such as the Sea Point promenade, and warning private homeowners living right at the beach to be prepared for possible storm surge impacts to their property.

Below is a video that I took during a storm on 31 Aug 2008 at the Sea Point Promenade, which is expected to be just as severe:

Mother City bracing for 'beast' of a storm

Source: www.iol.co.za By Caryn Dolley

Cape Town is bracing for massive cold fronts that are set to hit the peninsula this weekend, bringing "absolutely huge waves" and gale-force winds.

The pending storm is expected to be so severe that disaster management workers are already on full alert and rescue organisations have warned hikers to avoid mountain paths and bathers and sailors to exercise caution when at sea.

But while sea-goers may be deterred by the predicted sea swells, big wave surfers say they will make the most of it.

Yesterday Steve Pike, a surf forecaster who tracks the weather, said "a massive storm" was expected when a double cold front hits at the weekend.

"During the first part of Saturday there'll be fresh winds and some rain. It’s nothing major but there will be strong winds.

“The swell actually starts arriving during the day and you can expect waves to reach six metres.

“By Sunday, when the second part of the storm hits, waves may reach eight metres and there’ll be even more vicious gale-force winds,” he said.

SA Weather Service forecaster Carlton Fillis said “a very windy episode” with waves reaching seven metres was expected between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas on Saturday and Sunday.

City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre
spokesperson Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said if a warning was issued steps would be put in place in case the centre needed to assist any residents affected by the storm.

National Ports Authority spokesperson Coen Birkenstock said if a “serious storm” was to hit, it would issue a warning but this had not yet been necessary.

NSRI, however, yesterday warned sea-users to be extra cautious as wind speeds were expected to reach more than 50 knots and swells in the deep sea more than nine metres.

Support Earth Hour 2009

As an avid Hiker and Nature lover, I believe it would be wrong if I did not post information on how to support Earth Hour on Saturday 28 March 2009.

Something that Earth Hour IS NOT:

• it is not about switching off your electricity - its about switching off the lights.

• it is not about saving electricity - it is about a gesture to create environmental awareness within the governments of our worlds.

So here it goes: Juanita x

DIY
Earth Hour
Kit

What is it all about?
This is a Global attempt by the WWF to petition to the United Nations to take on a stronger stance with regards to the devastating effects of Global Warming.

Why MUST you register for it to work?
By registering at Earth Hour you will become part of a larger petition of 1 billion names that will be sent to the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen at the end of the year to put pressure on world leaders to pass legislation on climate change.

What do the WWF need to make an impact at this meeting?
1. Internationally - we need 1 billion signatures and 1000 cities’ involvement
2. Nationally - we need every South African, in every town.

THE POWER IS IN OUR HANDS TO CHANGE THE WORLD. PLEASE JOIN IN. IT WILL MEAN THE WORLD.

This is not a job that one South African can do. It is about everyone participating.
This is not about saving electricity, it is about a global effort to save the earth.
This is a call to all South Africans and everyone around the world to join in, because your participation will make a world of difference.

There are 3 things you can do to help support this cause:

1. Firstly you gotta Register. Click here to sign up on www.earthhour.org.za
2. SMS your postal code to 34017 at a cost of R2. (South Africa only)
   
3. Switch off your lights for 1 hour on the 28th of March 2009, 20h30 - 21h30. (In South Africa)

Things to do when you switch off your lights at home.

1. Book and spend the night in an overnight hut during a fantastic hike. (For hiking permits please call the CapeNature call centre on 021 659 3500)
2. have a picnic.
3. have a braai. (BBQ for those who do not know SA terms)
   
4. bring out the candles.
5. play card games or board games.
6. let the children have a fun sleep-over. (help make them aware of the influence they too have)
   
7. go for a walk in the moonlight with your pets and the whole family.
8. Every 1 person supporting this initiative, is 1 more person closer to the Global Goal.
9. Document it with your video/camera your version of what your city did during.
   

Who are the public faces supporting this cause?

Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Andrew Boraine
Bryan Habana
Charlene Truter
Dave Pepler
Deon Meyer
Derek van Dam
Etienne van Heerden
Francois Groepe
Freshlyground
Jo-Ann Strauss
Leon Schuster
Marc Lottering
Mayor Amos Masondo
Moroka Swallows
Patricia de Lille
Ryk Neethling
Soli Philander
Tammy-Anne Fortuin
The Parlotones
The Stormers
Vali Moosa

EventsClick Here

taking place during Earth Hour

Thanks for your Support

I would like to share with you just a few of the responses (support) I have had since I sent out the email with regards to people throwing their cigarette buds out of their windows (see post below) in this insanely hot, dry and windy climate that we are experiencing right now...

Thanks guys, you rock!


From: Grant : On Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 2:07 PM,
You go Girl ... There is nothing more (except maybe shark cage diving) that pisses me off. I firmly believe that they should tax each cigarette 50c for the fact that hardly any smokers keep their butts in their cars and for littering everywhere. The money should go to fire fighting organisations, the fire fighters and who ever cleans up all the stompies.

From: Donna Date: Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 4:47 PM
This is great- thanks for your efforts in trying to protect the environment from morons like this. My favourite approach when I catch people in marked business vehicles chucking out cigarette butts is to e-mail the company concerned with the details of what happened and I generally get a great response from them, as it really does their company image no good to have employees acting in this manner. But for private individuals it is pointless to report them to the cigarette hotline, as no one has ever been prosecuted for this illegal activity as a result of phoning in to the hotline, so this is a great alternative approach. Keep it up & I will try the same thing next time I see an offender. And I have forwarded the mail, so I hope it keeps going till she sees it!
Regards
Donna


From: Janine Date: Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I'm so glad you did send this .. we need more awareness that this is just unacceptable!
Well done J!!


From: Meriel Date: Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Well Done Juanita – I call the Stompie Line on 021 424 7715 – Cape Talk often advertises the number – not sure who they are but they always take down the details of who and when.


From: Peter Date: Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 1:13 PM
go girl!


From: Lejane Date: Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 1:40 PM
I AGREE wholeheartedly with this – 100%. That is just around the corner from where I live and can you imagine if I had to try and evacuate 15 cats and four dogs and a fish….
Thank you thank you.
Lejane


From: Ingrid Date: Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Ja shit man this makes me see RED, is this a taxi driver or her chauffeur I wonder!?! Stupid, stupid woman!! Isn't this now a criminal offense, doesn't someone have a contact in the License Department?


From: Jackie Date: Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Hi Juanita, Well done. Looks like Morgan T? There is a telephone number you can phone and give the registration number as well as make of car and in the event of a fire in that area, they will be able to track the vehicle and occupants if you are willing to sign an affidavit.
I have reported offenders before and it works like a charm. I agree wholeheartedly and feel most strongly about this. How about the woman who died on table mountain when a British tourist threw a cigarette out. He nearly went to jail as he should have
Regards
Jackie


From: Tamsin Date: Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 12:09 PM
I’m a smoker and NEVER throw my cigarettes out the window. In fact if I’m outside I never throw my ciggie down on the ground – my litter goes with me.


From: Cape Town Conferences
Hi – daar’s ‘n nommer wat mens kan bel om haar te rapporteer. Bel net jou local traffic department. Ek het dit nou nie by my nie maar ek het dit in my motor op ‘n stukkie papier vasgeplak. Die ou het ook dalk gedink hy word uitgevang met sy skelmpie! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!


From: Paul Date: Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 3:56 PM
I believe there is a hotline now for this very thing i heard it on the radio the other day government implemented!!Good luck with this im with you all the way


From: Brenda Date: Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Hi Juanita, There is also a number you can call to report the culprits: 021 424 7715. You need to provide them with the time, date, make of car, registration number and location.
I, personally have reported quite a few people already. It's disgusting! I drive around with a piece of paper and pencil in my car as I see people flicking stompies out of their cars on a daily basis. They can be fined up to R1000 (should be a lot more as far as I am concerned).
Kind regards
Brenda


From: Lynette Date: Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Hi Juanita , Many thanks for your email (and sms), your blog site looks great. I love the fact that you expose nature destroyers - keep that going!
Kind regards
Lynette


From: Belinda Date: Tue, Mar 3, 2009 at 9:01 AM
Sorry for all my smoking friends, but I so agree with this email, I have no problem with people smoking, but please don’t litter by throwing your cigarettes out of the window. What if everybody threw all their rubbish out of the window. I am so glad somebody finally got up the courage to say this!

Find out the weather before you go on your hike

Windguru

is our preferred hiking weather prediction website.

____________________________________

Being a good hiker means you need to also know how to read your environment and an accurate weather forecast.

You need to know what the weather is going to be before you start your hike:

• If its going to be very hot, you might want to do a hike which is less exposed to the sun
• If there is going to be a strong wind, you might want to be on a hike which is hidden from the specific wind direction
• On a cold day, you might want to go on a hike which will let you enjoy the heat of the sun.

We have found that walking around a mountain (or even a small hill) the temperature can change by about 6 - 8 degrees just by walking in or out of the shade. This is why knowing the weather is a major factor you need to take into consideration when you are about to go and explore the unknown.

We use Windguru as our best and most accurate weather forecaster for anywhere around the world. This link will take you to the forecast for Cape Town in South Africa. You can change it by choosing your location in the drop down arrows.

(Click on the above image to go directly to Windguru)

How do you read the forecast above?

The following keys (as indicated in the image above) will give you a very accurate immediate to 6 day forecast:

Wind speed: wind speed in 10 meters above surface.

Wind direction: Wind gets its name from the direction it comes. A good map will always show NORTH at the top.


Temperature: Temperature is measured 2 meters above ground.

Cloud cover: High / middle / low cloud cover in percent.

Rain: measured in milimeters.

Windguru rating: What the wind conditions will be like.
1 Star is light wind, 2 stars is strong wind, 3 stars is very strong wind.
Yellow stars are warm wind conditions, blue stars are cold wind conditions.

Wave: Significant wave height in meters. It is the average height (from wave crest to trough) of the one-third highest waves at a location.

Wave period: Peak wave period in seconds. It is the period of the dominant wave system derived from the wave energy spectrum.

Wave direction: Direction of the dominant waves.

Colors used in forecasts determine the actual conditions: