Event Agenda:
This is an event that will take place at Eureka City. Probably the first event at this location. A social gathering which will leave you with a lot of thought and it will teach you something new. Here you will enjoy nature, geological formations and historical locations. If you miss this one, you will be sorry for sure. This is a unique event. Anyone is welcome. Barbeton is truly unique and the beginning of life. The waypoint given is the gathering point for geocachers, from here we will proceed to the actual location. This is a historical site and the exact location of Eureka City is therefore not given. You can only access this historical site with an official guide.
Location Background:
Eureka City is a ghost town in South Africa, today only a few of the structures can still be seen in the form of ruins. This town was established in 1885, when gold was discovered on the Sheba Reef. Edwin Bray discovered in 1885 the famous "golden quarry". The geological importance will be explained by the guide. Eureka is located about 11 km from Barberton, Mpumalanga. Eureka City reached its peak in 1886. Its ruins are now located in the northern section of Mountainlands Nature Reserve. A permit from the authorities is now required to enter the ghost town in order to protect the historical evidence. In 1887 it had a population of around 700 people. In 1886, the town had three shops, three hotels, a bakery, chemist, racecourse, music hall and bars to cater for the diggers in the area. All that remains now are the ruins of the old Victoria Hotel and the neighbouring Sheba school. The town fell under the Lydenburg District of the South African Republic (ZAR).
Event formalities:
The event organizer will arrange for a guide with no cost to the attendees. The name of the guide is Dave Mourant. The guide will escort us along this trail and he will explain the different sites. We will all gather at the event waypoint at 08h30 for 09h00. A high clearance vehicle is needed to access the road to this site. The minimum requirement is 4x2 with low range. Please do not delay the guide and respect his rulings .
Precautions and warnings:
Be warned. There are no toilets, shops or fuel stations along this trail. Budget for about 6 hours maximum. If you have a weak bladder than this trail could end as a serious challenge. Stock up in Barberton with drinks, toilet paper, shovel, snacks, fuel, etc. You do not need a 4x4 to do this, minimum requirement is 4x2 high clearance, low range. The difficulty rating is about grade 2. The Jeep trail is about 25 km long. Pass is about 8.5 km long with vertical height of about 478 meters. Average gradient is about 1:18. Most serious gradient is 1:6 where low range will be needed. For the cachers that do not have access to 4x4 or a 4x2 we will make alternative arrangements. To enjoy the quarry, which is a man made Cango Caves you will need some serious head lamps. /p>
Event summary details – where, when, etc.
Where do we meet? We will gather at S25 47.794 E31 02.833.
At what time? Sunday, 08H30 for 09h00. We will leave at exactly 09h00.
On which date? 24 September 2017.o
