MEGA South Africa 2014 - Kwazulu Natal
The Mega Event will commence at 11h00 on 4 October 2014 and the event will end at 13h00 on 6 October 2014. You do not need to attend the whole time! But of course, you a free to attend as best fits your schedule.
This is your opportunity to join in the fun, to network with other Geocachers and even perhaps win some of the many prizes on offer. This is also a chance for you to get some rare icons added to your found tally.
Giba Gorge MTB Park meets all your needs in a family-friendly safe environment within easy reach of the N3 Durban / Johannesburg freeway.
Giba Gorge MTB Park is a popular recreation spot for MTB'ers, nature lovers, and those who just want to socialise in a pleasant environment. Adjacent to Giba Gorge MTB Park is the Giba Gorge Environmental Precinct (GGEP), a privately managed conservation area with many and varied interesting biomes.
On site at Giba Gorge is the fully licensed Giba Cafe, which can supply a good range of a-la-carte meals and cold & hot refreshments. There is also a Kiosk for light snacks.
Giba Cafe is a WiFi Hotspot. This facility will be available to Mega attendees.
Giba Cafe
MTB and BMX hire is available at reasonable rates.
Picnic & Play area.
Registration
The nature of the event requires registration of your attendance - please register on the Official MEGA-KZN website by clicking here.
The Shop (for those that have already registered) can be found here.
On the Official website, you will also have an opportunity to book key activities, meals, and puchase the MEGA South Africa GeoCoin and other promotional items. Please note that some activities require pre-booking! See the programme for details.
REGISTER NOW!
Programme for MEGA South Africa 2014 - Kwazulu Natal
Saturday 4 October 2014.
11h00 Registration Desk open and Logbook Signing
11h30 Early Arrivals Flash Mob (Event
GC57R35)
12h00 Tech Topic #1 - Geology for the Layman by Prof Stephen McCourt (UKZN)
13h00 Buddy Caching - Uve Road (Green Trail) Krantzkloof [8 (or 6) caches]
14h00 10-Icon Walk #1 (pre-booking required)
14h00 Earthcache Virtual 5km Run / Walk (
GC59ZB8)
15h00 Tech Topic #2 - GSAK 101 - Workshop with a local panel.
15h30 CITO at Dam (
GC57R3A)
17h00 Rugby - SA v NZ on the Big Screen (Conference Room)
19h00 Chill time in Giba Cafe (Event
GC57R3G)
Geocaching Shop Hours: 15h00 - 17h00 and OPTIONAL 19h00 - 21h00
Sunday 5 October 2014.
06h30 4x4 Caching in Valley of 1000 Hills (expected return 13h00) [23 Caches] Meet at 06h15!
08h00 Registration Opens
08h00 Sunday Devotions (Amphitheatre)
09h00 Tech Topic #3 - Puzzle Solving 101 by Local Panel
09h00 Buddy Caching - Comrades Canter [~20 caches]
10h00 10-Icon Walk #2 (pre-booking required)
11h00 Tech Topic #4 - Caching across the Globe by a panel of international geocachers
11h30 CITO along Umhlatuzana River banks (GC57R3N)
13h00 Bunny Chow Lunch (must be pre-ordered) Event (GC57R3T)
14h00 Tech Topic #5 - Meet the Reviewers by Afrika Rocks, ROTSIP & Pte Curb
14h00 Buddy Caching - Springside NR Stroll [11 caches]
14h00 10-Icon Walk #3 (pre-booking required)
15h30 Tech Topic #6 - Snakes and Safety by Pat McGill
16h30 Music in Giba Cafe (GC57R3W)
19h00 Night Caching - Cache to be published at 18h50.
Geocaching Shop Hours: 11h00 - 13h00 and 16h00 - 19h00
Monday 6 October 2014
06h00 Beach Sunrise Event (GC57R41)
08h00 Registration Opens
09h00 Tech Topic #7 - First Aid for Geocachers by Rob & Vivian
09h30 Buddy Caching - Pinetown Park 'n Grab
10h00 10-Icon Walk #4 (pre-booking required)
11h30 CITO in Picnic Area (Event GC57R44)
12h30 Final Flag Farewell Flash Mob and Logbook Handover (Event GC57R47)
13h00 Logbook Closes / End of Mega
Geocaching Shop Hours: 10h00 - 12h00
Other Activities
General Geocaching - all day.
Geocaching Shops - all day in Open Barn
Travel Bug and Geocoin Display / Discovery / Swapping - all Day
Giba Cafe open for refreshments, light snacks, and a-la-carte - 08h00 until 21h00
Kiosk open for light snacks and coldrinks - 07h00 - 18h00
Childrens Activities
Saturday 4 October: 14h00 - 16h00 - Climbing Wall / Basic First Aid
Sunday 5 October: 10h00 - 12h00 - Group Dynamics / Puzzles & Treasure Hunt
Sunday 5 October: 14h00 - 16h00 - Minute to Win It / Scout Treasure Hunt
Monday 6 October: 10h00 - 12h00 - Silly Olympics / Basic First Aid
Saturday / Sunday / Monday - GeoBingo all day, every day.
In addition, Giba Gorge offers
- Horse Trails
- BMX
- MTB Hire
- A Boot Camp experience for adults and children.
Buddy Caching
Meeting points for each Buddy Caching Activity are as follows:
Krantzkloof Nature Reserve Green Trail
Meet at Uve Rd parking area - S29 46.225 E30 51.195 @ 12h45.
Puzzles to be solved along and close to this trail :
GC38K2J: TN's Teasers - The Shipwrecked Sailor
GC3KFRT: TN's Teasers - The Halfway Hike
GC3KFRJ: TN's Teasers - The Troubled Trigonometrist
Comrades Canter. This is a travel-by-car Route.
Meet in Giba Parking 30 minutes before start for car sharing, or at the start co-ords S29 49.706 E30 53.118.
Springside Nature Reserve Stroll
Meet in parking area S29 46.904 E30 46.544 @ 13h45
Puzzles to be solved in this reserve:
GC2PDY0: It's More Or Less A Numbers Game
GC36MD1: Dr Who
GC4JYHB: TN's Teasers - The Binary Baffler
GC2W5DP: Tranquil Pools
Pinetown Park 'n Grab
Meet in Giba parking at @ 09h15 to consolidate transport.
4x4 Caching Excursion (High Clearance vehicle / Bakkie suitable)
Drivers, Passengers and Self-Drives to meet in Christian's Centre Parking S29 46.815 E30 45.830 at 06h15 sharp.
During the registration process, you will be asked if:
- You will self-drive;
- You will self-drive and can take passengers
- You will need to be a passenger.
This will help us ensure that all you want to to take part in this activity can do so.
Giba Gorge MTB Trails
Giba Gorge Trails (along which you will find all the Giba and Mega caches) are available for download. View the trails in Google Earth here (opens in Google Maps). A MTB is not necessary to access the trails - walking is fine! No motorised transport.
Click on the links below to download the version which suits you best.
GPS Trackfile (.gpx format). Place this file in the ../Garmin/GPX folder on your Garmin Device.
Memorabilia
A special event Geocoin will be produced and will be available on the MEGA KZN website. T-Shirts, Golfers, Caps, Beanies and other items of geocaching gear will also be produced as a memento of the event. See the MEGA KZN website for details
Accommodation
A number of Hotels, B&B's and Self Catering establishments exist in the area, in a range to suit all pockets. See the MEGA KZN website for full details.
General Accommodation Information.
Camping
Camping is available at the venue (but is limited and basic). Both ground tents and RoofTop Tents can be accommodated.
Camping is also available at Queensburgh Caravan Park and at Shongweni Resources Reserve.
Alternative Camping Waypoints
Shongweni Resources Reserve Main Gate: S29 51.565 E30 43.795 (9km from Mega)
Shongweni Resources Reserve - Campsite: S29 51.168 E30 43.411
Queensburgh Caravan Park: S29 51.828 E30 54.329 (16.4 km from Mega)
Camping Area
Note: Alternative Entrance for those staying at Shongweni Resources Reserve
All attendees are to use the Main Giba Gate (S29 49.601 E30 46.972). The only exception is for those staying at Shongweni Resources Reserve, who may use the Giba Top Gate (S29 49.766 E30 46.269) to gain entry to the Giba Complex. Note that this road is not really suitable for sedan vehicles, although they should be able to traverse this road (but VERY slowly in some parts). High Clearance or 4x4 recommended!
Use auto routing from Shongweni Reserve Gate (S29 51.565 E30 43.795) to Giba Top Gate. This trip is 8.2 km. The trip via Kloof and Pinetown is 31.2 km!
Other Accommodation
Some couch-surfing accommodation may also be available from local geocachers - please use the MEGA KZN Facebook Group or the GC.com forums to post enquiries and respond to accommodation offers.
B&B and other accommodation