Adventure News: Three Cape Union Mart Presentations: Outdoorsy, Adventurous and Nature Focused

Adventure News: Three Cape Union Mart Presentations: Outdoorsy, Adventurous and Nature Focused - Ndorfin, South Africa

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Monday, 11 June 2012
Three Cape Union Mart Presentations: Outdoorsy, Adventurous and Nature Focused

Slackpacking, multi-day hikes and black eagles are three topics to be presented at evenings hosted by Cape Union Mart at their Adventure Centre in Canal Walk, Cape Town, in June and August.

The presentation on slackpacking, held in partnership with Getaway Magazine, looks at this increasingly popular mode of hiking. Slackpackers travel light, carrying only water, lunch and a camera as their gear is shuttled ahead to the overnight stop. They end the day�s hike � often guided - with a hot shower, chilled drinks, a good meal and a warm bed. In this one-hour talk Nick Bennett discusses South African slackpacking trails and guides you through how to prepare and what to pack. He�ll highlight the Donkey Trail, which starts near Calitzdorp and meanders over the Swartberg Mountains.

Multi-day hikes like the Otter Trail and Fish River Canyon are well known and much loved. There are also others, like the Rim of Africa, which will be discussed in this one-hour presentation by Nick Bennett. Developed in the same vein as North America�s Appalachian and Continental Divide Trails, Spain�s Camino de Santiago and South America�s Sendero de Chile, the Rim of Africa is a 650kilometre length of mountain paths between the Cederberg and the Garden Route�s Outeniqua Mountains. Bennett will discuss how to prepare for multi-day hiking as well as suitable gear for different regions and seasons.

The Black Eagle Project (BEP) was initiated in 2011 and the research is undertaken by post-graduate student Megan Murgatroyd (UCT). Her study focuses on the effects of land use on the diet and hunting habits of the Black Eagle (Aquila verreauxii; formerly known as Verreaux�s Eagle) in the Cederberg Mountains and the Sandveld. The Cederberg is a region that remains relatively pristine while the Sandveld has undergone extensive land conversion for agriculture.

In this fascinating presentation, Murgatroyd will introduce the Black Eagles � their diet, hunting behaviour, breeding cycle and how she monitors nests. She�ll also fill you in on her findings thus far and the breeding status between the start of the project and the current breeding season.

Although these presentations are given free of charge, seating is limited and it is essential to reserve your place. This can be done through the Events page on the Cape Union Mart website � www.capeunionmart.co.za/events. The presentations start at 18h15 for 18h30 and will be one hour in duration. Drinks and snacks are served after the presentation and attendees can take advantage of on-the-night discounts in store.

Presentation summary

Slackpacking: Thursday, 28 June 2012. 18h15 for 18h30. Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre, Canal Walk, Cape Town.

Multi-day hikes: Thursday, 2 August 2012. 18h15 for 18h30. Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre, Canal Walk, Cape Town.

Black Eagle Project: Wednesday, 22 August 2012. 18h15 for 18h30. Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre, Canal Walk, Cape Town.

Enquiries can be directed to Anja Morkel at 084 581-2783, events@capeunionmart.co.za