July Camp 2024 at Cobham certainly was a very different July Camp and, in many ways, was a very special camp too. In some respects, these differences were pleasantly noteworthy and in other ways, others were very distressing.

Cobham had been the initial Camp Site of choice, but this had to be rejected out of hand due to the state of the Ablution Blocks, the older of which had been condemned. Then came the suggestion from Carl Dreyer, long-time president of the KZNMCSA, for the Section to fund the renovation. Rikki took this offer to the relevant field staff of Ezemvelo KZN, but sadly, the offer fell on stony ground with. But from the July Camp point of view, it was a sine qua non. Without the critically needed renovations to the ablution blocks, July Camp could not be held at Cobham, although in all other respects it was the best site.

Then, through the good graces of friends in high places, Rikki, who has convened July Camp since 1996, was invited to attend a meeting with Mr Sihle Mkhize, Chief Executive Officer of Ezemvelo KZN. In accepting the invitation to attend this meeting, she asked if she could be accompanied by the president of KZNMCSA. This was fitting since Carl had initiated the idea of funding the renovations and, as it turned out, this also gave Carl the opportunity to outline the objectives and activities of the Section which he did fully and succinctly.

Rikki spoke about July Camp and its more than 100-year involvement with the development of hiking and climbing in the Drakensberg and the pivotal role it had played in opening up the Berg from the days when July Camp required a train trip and then a journey by ox-wagon. July Camp was also active in winter rescues as long ago as 1963. Mention was also made of the very sizeable cash injection (often more than 750 camper nights) that July Camp makes at a time of the year when bookings in the Berg are at their lowest ebb.

After constructive discussion on more general Berg matters, the subject of the essential rebuilding of the ablution block at Cobham was raised again. Brief discussion was allowed and then the CEO stated, very simply, with words to the effect that ‘The ablution block will be rebuilt’. He thanked the Mountain Club for their generous offer of financial support which would be delivered in kind, and he knew that the Ezemvelo staff would co-operate.

Well, the Ezemvelo staff did co-operate, the contractor co-operated well although time was short, and, thanks to the championing role Simon Vickers (a member of KZNMCSA committee who lives nearby in Underberg) undertook as resident Site Officer, it was done, and in time. Just!!

So, July Camp returned to the delightful Cobham camp-site with the significant advantage of the much-needed major renovation of the block-built Ablution Block, generously funded by KZNMCSA.

KZN Section had volunteered to host the National Meet and saw it fitting to bestow this honour on July Camp. Thus, in addition to its usual role, July Camp also served as a convenient ‘hub’ for most of the nationalm meet trips, with the climbing trips taking place, literally, just around the corner from base camp. Hikers on those national meet trips that departed from the July Camp base camp had the option of overnighting there with hot showers, cooked three course dinners and luxurious hot, cooked breakfasts of porridge, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, brinjals and toast! Towards the end of July Camp, the national dinner was held nearby at the Underberg Country Club with the theme ‘July Camp Through The Ages’.

July Camp hosted a very pleasing number of campers (95 campers who camped for a total of 658 man-nights) evenly spread across the 10 days of the camp. As usual, the vast majority of campers opted for the full board option with very few choosing to be self-caterers. There were only three vegetarians. There was the usual spread of day trips, overnight trips and longer subcamps. Graham Smith, Tony van Tonder and Andre Dalais undertook escarpment trips.

Days in base camp were sunny and offered superb winter weather with crisp, chilly nights, the lowest being -7°. But all that changed, and dramatically for the worse, right at the end. The very small party of rearguard tailenders endured gale force winds during the post camp pack up. We all were exhausted and bitterly cold. Graham and the four Ndlovus were the heroes of the day. They slaved at dismantling, sorting and folding all the kit and then manhandling it onto the back of the truck against the hideously strong and gusting wind. A miserable, noisy and very cold night followed.

It was a sad way in which to end the last July Camp of its kind.

Sincere and abundant thanks, as always, are due to the team of organisers or the ‘Committee’ who work so hard for many months before the camp (Graham Bruschi, Lesley, Malikah Matz Parker, Caroly, Pam and Rikki). Very sadly, Lesley and Malikah were unable to join us for the camp this year. Thanks also must go to the advance party who arrive at the camp-site with all the kit and food five days before the camp starts and have to get everything ready to roll (Graham Bruschi, Rev Kev, Pam, Romi, Graham Stansell, Dave, Etienne, Marilla, Roger, Henry, Carolyn, Rikki and, of course, the four men of the Ndlovu clan, led by Jabulani and Xolani and newcomers Sifiso, and Sipho.

So, very sadly, Rikki’s sixty-two-year relationship with July Camp came to an end but we hope the spirit of July Camp can continue in some form in the future.