GEORGE NEWS - There may be a new threat to the Outeniqua Mountain Reserve's historic mountain passes. On Sunday 6 March, three off-road bikers raced up the ecologically sensitive Cradock Pass, and left deep furrows as a visiting card.
A group of Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) and High Altitude Team (HAT) members confronted the bikers and pointed out that it is illegal to scramble in a nature reserve.
Local Outramps Crew leader Diane Turner said this week, "We fully intend on pursuing this latest incident. We have no intention of allowing these young men to destroy of our favourite hikes and the fragile environment. These are worrying times."
According to Greg Devine, of MCSA, the three bikers were clearly highly skilled in extreme motocross, and feigned ignorance when confronted about their illegal activities.
He said, "We hiked Cradock Pass on Sunday. Just as we got to the railway line, three men on scramblers appeared from the footpath. We managed to stop them and talk to them. There were no number plates on the bikes, but there were competition numbers, which we did not get either.
"We pointed out to them that they were on hiking paths and scramblers were obviously not allowed.
"They pretended not to know this and then said it was the first time they have been caught. I had a camera in my pocket, but did not think to take photographs of the men and their bikes at the time. All we could really do to avoid a possible confrontation was to implore them not to use mountain paths for motocross. They then carried on with the path downwards from the railway line."
Turner, who has been fine-combing the entire region with her Outramps Crew to record fynbos species for iSpot and other scientific organisations for many years, said, "Earlier in 2015 we saw signs that there had been scramblers on the (Cradock) trail and we mentioned it in the report back that is sent to all the reserve managers. It was also reported to CapeNature. If something is not done soon, there will be no trail left on this very popular hike. The section above the railway line is particularly at risk.
Commenting on this, CapeNature Outeniqua Reserve Manager Othusitse Mabi said motorbikes and quadbikes are not allowed on the hiking trails and roads of CapeNature property.
The pass is a rough track used by the trekboers to cross the Outeniqua Mountains and is situated in the Outeniqua Nature Reserve.
Di Turner, who leads the Outramps Crew on their botanical exploratory trips into the Outeniqua Mountains, said she was shocked to learn of the latest incident. Turner said it was reported to her that the men were on powerful off-trail bikes and were encountered along the historic Cradock Pass.
The bikes left deep ruts in the soft ground, which was churned up.
Off-road motorbikes are being used in the historical Cradock Pass. The pass was used by the trek farmers in the early 1800s to cross the Outeniqua Mountains.
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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