Climbing Mount Meru by Walter Schenk

In 1984 I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with my son. The enterprise was a real physical

challenge we experienced. Coming back to Europe

my colleague, Hermann, knowingly said, ‘You should have climbed Mount Meru. It is less

strenuous but much prettier.’ That stayed in the

back of my head since then.

Visiting Northern Tanzania again last year,

together with Ingrid, for some voluntary work in a rural secondary school Hermann’s words turned

up again. Due to our engagement there was not

much time withdrawing us from our work. Finally

on a weekend in August it came true.

Early on a Saturday I strapped my rucksack on

and walked down to the Dalla Dalla (minibus station) at the other end of our locality Msitu wa

Tembo. Dalla Dallas are, in general, based on a

Toyota Hiace designed for about 12 people but usually crammed by up to 30 passengers at a time.

In Australia they would have been taken out of

traffic by the authorities some 25 years ago.

Unfortunately neither a Dalla Dalla was in sight

nor a Lorry to hop on. A motorcyclist offered his

service to bring me partially to Moshi. I disagreed to his high demand and began walking on foot. It

was only for 200m when a cyclist turned up and

asked me whether he could help me. I placed my bottom on the rack of his pushbike and the bumpy

ride began.

After some time we arrived at another minibus

station. From there I continued in a Dalla Dalla

until Moshi. A big crowded bus took me in the direction of Arusha. At Usa River I stepped out the

elegant way using a side window. Other passengers

handed me the backpack through this hatch. Next

easy step was finding a taxi up to Ngongangare Gate, the entrance of Arusha National Park. It was

more difficult to cover the next 14 km to Momela

Gate, the trailhead of the Mount Meru climb.

Walking that way is prohibited and I had to wait

for quite a while to get a lift for that stretch. On the go we stopped several times to watch game such as

Colobus monkeys in the trees, baboons crossing

and zebras and buffalos in the distance. In the early afternoon I arrived at the place, ready to

tramp. But it should take me ages to finish all the

bureaucracy. The most important thing was paying

fees. As a foreigner you have to fork out big amounts of greenbacks. To my opinion the staffer

charged me far too much. I became forthright and

noted down his name. That must have helped. I got a part of my money back without comment.

Eventually my armed guide named Jackson and

his friend showed up. It was not earlier than 3 pm when we started the first section of the walk. We

passed a bridge over a river and set foot on open

grassland. Not too far away the slope came into sight we had to walk up. Looking to the right we

spotted a herd of Buffalos peacefully grazing.

Gradually the path began to rise and thus my

speed decreased considerably. Meanwhile the

vegetation became denser which made walking more entertaining. At dusk we arrived at

Miriakamba Hut at some 2500m. There were many

cabins and I was given a room of my own. I

explored the place and the view back down from where we came. Beside me there were some other

tourists around I could have a chat with and

exchange experiences. I agreed with the guides for early next morning to continue the ascent to

Saddle Hut.

After a deep sleep I looked out of the window and

found pea-soup around, not very encouraging to

start. But I got up and began the second and by far the biggest bit of my enterprise. The guide

promised me a leopard in a tree if we are only just

observant enough. However, I remained sceptical… After traversing the slope the way turned upwards

to the left. It must have been quite an intensive

labour to install the several hundred steps! They

are meant to help climbers managing this steep part.

The Tablelands Walking Club Newsletter – August 2011

Buffalos and Zebras caught by Telephoto

Miriakamba Hut

It was still misty and the moss-covered knobby trees left and right looked ghostlike with lichens

hanging in long stripes from their branches. It was

more like walking through a fairytale forest for me

which I enjoyed very much. Eventually the sun displaced the fog and at Elephant Point we had a

short break. It was well worth the stop. I was

granted a stunning view far to the rim of the main summit.

Continuing further up we followed a well maintained way meandering towards today’s

destination. I did not count the many hairpin

bends but they made it considerably easier to manage the steep terrain. Occasionally a brief

glimpse turned up to Little Meru, a side peak of the

massif. It looked not very far away. Late morning

Saddle Hut in 3570m came into sight. After a few turns we arrived there.

I got a four-bed room for my own, made myself at home and was ready to relax. But Jackson came

and tried to convince me that the day climb to the

summit was more recommendable than the ascent

at dusk. The main reason was the almost unbearably strong and ice cold wind up there

during the night. After some reflection I decided to

start at noon. I reduced my luggage and continued with a lighter daypack. The first part lead us

through relatively open scrubby landscape. Then the way sloped more upwards and we left the main

vegetation behind.

After a little more than an hour we reached Rhino

Point. It presents a spectacular view to the inner

crater of the volcano. The next part of the path

leads us down. What a shame that after all the strenuous climbing we had to descend first in

order to get to the top! The terrain did not become

really difficult, but there were some patches where I found it necessary to use my hands too for

getting up.

The further route lead us on a narrow rim not

suitable for people who suffer from vertigo. To the

right it is quite steep down and to the northeast

there are sheer cliffs to beware of. On top of that a strong breeze blew towards this bottomless pit.

Thus walking became somewhat scary. However,

the views from here down to the perfect volcanic cone could have made it an extraordinary

experience.

Unfortunately clouds were only occasionally driven

away by gusts to grant a flash of that breathtaking

scenery. For me it became literally speaking breathtaking anyway because I had to gasp for air

which was already noticeably thinner. On one of

those forced breaks a lonely big raven sat down in

the close vicinity squawking loudly for breadcrumbs. I had to disappoint it because I had

none.

Finally the terrain became steeper and more

rugged. I needed to take quite a few breathers until

we reached Socialist Peak in 4566m. Oh, what a satisfying feeling having made it! We stayed there

for some moments and waited for the gap between

the clouds. Alas there was no gap which could have shown me the Rift Valley and the volcanoes of

Kitumbeini and Lengai, while down below you

could see the town of Arusha, and the plains of the Maasai Steppe beyond.

Fairytale Forest

View from Elephant Point

Inner Crater from Rhino Point

It was already 5 pm and we felt that we could not stay any longer. The way down was faster and less

demanding as everybody can imagine. It also gave

me the opportunity to indulge in the sights the

relentless setting sun granted me. Even the alpenglow of the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

became visible some 80 km to the east. At the

same time the full moon rose and made our torches superfluous.

Fairly tired we reached Saddle Hut, the goal of this

Sunday, at 8 pm. It was somewhat later than I thought in the morning after making an

insignificant detour via Socialist Peak. This night I

slept slightly fitfully. After waking up early on Monday I had nothing better to do than making

the 250m climb to nearby Little Meru. It was a

rewarding walk. First I could see the sunrise over

snow covered Kilimanjaro in the dawn.

Then giant Lobelia plants

impressed me on the way up. And from the peak there were also

clear insights into the sunlit main

volcanic ash cone in the distance as well as into the surrounding

area and lowlands.

After returning to the hut I began

the descent very soon because I

wanted to have enough time to finish the walk

from Miriakamba Hut using a much more scenic

way through dense forest inhabited by big game. Unfortunately it turned out that the guide and his

friend disagreed to that.

After a dispute about that I had to take the same

route back to Momela Gate. No leopard, no other

big animals, no stunning view from the peak, just

the buffalos from last time! But on the whole taking Mount Meru off the back of my head and

really making it was a great experience which I

would not like to have missed.

View from Little Meru

Finally on Top of Socialist Peak

Rocky Custodian watching Mt Kilimanjaro

Some Information You May Wish To Have

Hello Secretary, The Tablelands Walking Club Inc.

Over the last few years, a number of Australian

members of various Bush Walking Clubs have joined

our expeditions in NZ. Many have commented that

our tramps and activities are eminently suited to the

type of people who participate in the Aussie Bushwalking Clubs, and have suggested that we

should advise them of our activities.

We are taking the liberty, therefore, of informing you

of our proposed programme for the summer of 2012.

Perhaps you could forward this information on to

your members.

Find below, a newsletter summarising our Club's

2012 programme,that was recently emailed to over

3000 of our contacts. We trust you find it of interest

and maybe consider joining us - but hasten to add that some of our trips for 2012 are already filling.

Should you require any further information about our

activities, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Peter Vollweiler, Sectetary The Otago Youth Adventure Trust/Rotary Club of

Milton Tramping Club Inc

PO Box 15014, Waihola , 9243, New Zealand

Ph. +64 3 417 7190.

Email peter.vollweiler@xtra.co.nz

Web Site : www.otagorotarytrusttramps.org.nz

NOMINATION FORM The Secretary Tablelands Bushwalking Club PO Box 1020 Tolga 4882 We……………………………………………………………………………………………… Proposer’s Name (Block Letters) Proposer’s Signature …………………………………………………………………………………………………. Seconder’s Name (Block Letters) Seconder’s Signature Hereby nominate………………………………………………………………………………. For the position of……………………………………………………………………………... Candidates Signature…………………………………………………………………………... Date……………………………………………………………………………………………

I accept the nomination and if elected, I agree to act in that position for the ensuing twelve (12) months.

The Annual General Meeting

Saturday 3 September 2011, at Travis Teske’s place, 47 Dempsey Str. Gordonvale.

Any two members of the Association shall be at liberty to nominate any other member to serve as an officer or

other member of the Management Committee.

The nomination, which shall be in writing and signed by the member and his proposer and seconder, shall be

lodged with the secretary at least fourteen days before the annual general meeting at which the election is to take

place.

Should, at the commencement of such meeting, any previously accepted nomination be withdrawn, further

nominations for that position may be taken from the floor of the meeting.

Provisional Programme (Departure timing details to be announced nearer the time)

Walk up the Pyramid (and back before 12 noon) for the fleet footed.

Walk of ca 7 km all-up to Behana Creek along a concrete track.

Lunch at 12 noon, please contribute a plate with delectable nutritious content.

AGM, including the election of a new management committee, 1:00 PM.

Please note that membership fees become due at the AGM. It would considerably ease administrative

actions if members could pay on the spot and receive their new Membership card there and then.

The Pyramid walk will very likely necessitate an early start. There are camping facilities available at

Travis’, please make arrangements with Travis, phone no. 40 561 761.

Botanical name: Elaeocarpus sp. (Mossman Bluff)

Common Name: Quandong

This undescribed Quandong is very conspicuous

due to the poor form and stature of trees, the red

old leaves and the huge foveoles (hooded structures in the axil of the midvein and lateral

veins). Most trees have broken tops and coppice

heavily from ground level. It is confined to exposed mountainous rainforest between Thornton Peak

and the Lamb Range at altitudes from 900-1300m.

Easily the best place to see it is along the Kahlpahlim Rock walk once you get high amongst

the granite boulders and Purple Kauris.

Features: Leaves are small with foveoles. Old

leaves turn red before falling (not unique for a

Quandong). Leaf stalks and twigs are usually pinkish. White flowers barely seem to open widely,

yet put on a show with abundance. They flower

very spasmodically…in fact this was the first photo of it in flower ever recorded!! Bluish fruit maybe

15-20mm long, are hard to find. The seed coat has

the appearance of the surface of a

brain….cerebriform!!!!

Botanical name: Syzygium tierneyanum

Common Name: River Cherry

River Cherry is a very common medium sized tree,

which occurs along creek banks and river edges. It occurs from Cape York to a little north of

Townsville at fairly low elevations, sea-level to

maybe 700m. It occurs in dense stands, so

becomes very conspicuous along watercourses when in flower or fruit.

River Cherry is easily seen along most of the coastal river systems and often occurs with Golden

Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus). It is very

common along the Clohesy River at the bridge over the highway and along the Tully River in the

lowlands. If it has a preference for streams it will

be the slower moving systems with deeper soil and less rock than Golden Penda lined creeks.

Features: Leaves are like a big fat Satinash and

have no distinguishing features!! Masses of creamy yellow flowers appear after the first storms and

they produce zillions of small (up to 1.5cm) football

shaped red fruit a little into the new year.

Know That Native Tree by Andrew Ford

Cont from page 3

Hello Everyone,

The Otago Youth Adventure Trust/Rotary Club of Milton Tramping Club Inc WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN FOR OUR TRIPS IN THE 2012 SEASON

BRIEF BACKGROUND

The volunteers of The Otago Youth Adventure Trust/Rotary Club of Milton Tramping Club Inc. have now completed

25 successful seasons of organising the trips (details below), with some 15,000 people, mostly Kiwi Adults, having

participated (many on several trips over the years). We operate as a Tramping Club on public lands and, as such,

are required (by law) to run our trips on a "cost recovery" basis only. Participants do have to become members of our Tramping Club ($35) in the year of their trips, and we do suggest an optional donation, to enable us to return

some funds to the two Charitable Trusts that are the parent bodies of our Club. All the trips are lead and organised

by unpaid volunteers, who put thousands of unpaid hours into this ongoing project to ensure we are able to run the

trips at a moderate cost. We are a non-commercial group of volunteers, who have established a solid reputation over

the past 25 years. THE TRIPS

We list below the Trips that are planned for the 2012 season. To find full details of each trip (Details, Dates, Cost,

Application Forms, Contacts, etc) please go to our web site, www.otagorotarytrusttramps.org.nz . On many of the

trips we take parties of up to 40 people, on a "Freedom Walk" basis. Transport to the starting point and from the

finishing point (Dunedin return) is provided, as is all the food, though people do have to carry their share.

Cymbidium madidum

This orchid can be found growing in rainforests, swamps or open forests in high rainfall areas. It

can grow on trees as well as on rocks, boulders

and cliff faces.

The plants can become very large. The flowers are

numerous and are sweetly scented.

It has pseudobulbs which can become crowded

and its leaves are dark green, thin and arching.

The flowers can be pale green to dark green or brownish green and grown on long arching stems

Its growing range occurs from northern New South Wales to Cape York in Queensland. And its

flowering period is between August-February.

Smooth Burr Orchid Cadetia taylori

This orchid grows in north-eastern Queensland from Townsville to Iron Range and is fairly

widespread and common.

It grows on rocks and trees forming small dense

clumps with unbranched stems. Its range is from

sea-level to the mountainous areas.

The flowers, while spasmodic, last for 2-5 days and

have relatively thick-textured flat segments. The callus (a raised, fleshy or plate-like structure found

on the labellum; it may have ridges, bear calli or

other outgrowths or be associated with nectar production, consists of a simple hairy patch.

The flower period is from November to May.

What Orchid is That

WALKS PROGRAMME ADDENDUM

AUGUST 14 SUNDAY MOWBRAY FALLS

THE BUMP TRACK Depart from the Heritage Information Centre, Mareeba @ 07:15 am. We will travel via

Kuranda (or Mt. Molloy) to re-assemble at 8:30 on the corner of Trezise Rd & Captain Cook Hwy (Mowbray),

which is about 5 km SOUTH of the Port Douglas turn off and on to park at the base of the Bump Track.

Originally an Aboriginal trail, it became a crucial link between Port Douglas and the Hinterland until

development of the Captain Cook Highway. The 10 km return trip of moderate difficulty takes about 7 hours including lunch & a swim. The 3 1/2 km walk from Mowbray to Robbins Creek is steep and takes about 1 1/2

hours. ~200 m further on there is a 2 km undulating track ending with a short scramble down to the top of the

Mowbray Falls (slippery if it is wet). The return's steep descent test's the knees! Phone: Kerrin Param on 4098

7392 or .