Waterval Boven Guide - December 2011.pdf - Climb ZA

Dangers and annoyances
There is no malaria in Boven so malarial pills would be a waste of money
unless you enjoy (scary) trippy dreams. If a trip to the Kruger Park is planned,
malaria pills might be advisable. The mosquitoes can be annoying though, any
time of year; repellant works well.
Ticks are common during spring and summer. If you do get bitten, the wound
might become very itchy and red and may lead to quite a serious (but not life
threatening) fever (splitting headache, swollen glands, aching limbs) known
as „Tick-bite fever‟. You should seek medical attention; normally antibiotics
are required. Ticks are normally the large (2-3 mm) brown variety and are
pretty easy to spot; check your legs after walking in the long grass.
There are several varieties of poisonous snake common in the area, but you
are very unlikely to encounter one so don‟t worry about them, they are far
more worried about you. I am not aware of a single climber-snake-bite
incident in Boven over the last 10 years. In the very unlikely event that you
are bitten, try not to move the affected limb and get to the hospital quickly.
Try remember what the snake looked like.
Spiders…lots but nearly all harmless. You will see plenty of the funny flat
ones on the rocks and walls (wall spiders) and the pretty ones that make webs
across the paths but they are harmless. There are one or two poisonous spiders
but they are rarely seen, they normally hide away in holes or under things.
Lift a few rocks and you might see a few scorpions but hardly ever has a
climber been bitten and bites are almost never lethal for an adult.
Wasps like to make little hanging nests (normally 1-5 wasps) on the cliffs,
normally only visible when you are within 2-3 metres. Don‟t pannick, they
are pretty chilled and very dumb! Either climb to the side, or quickly swipe
off the nest (using your finger, a chalk-bag or a stick depending on the size of
the nest, and your bravery!); the wasps then move away after a minute or two
and don‟t return. If you do get stung, it is sore but not serious unless you have
an allergy. There are one or two bee nests at Boven, when the bees are
buzzing, keep well clear! There has been one for years at to the right of
Tripolactic Fairytales at the Superbowl.
Like in almost any town in the world, there have been one or two muggings
over the years, but very infrequently. When walking around town, be discreet
with your wealth, the people in Boven are poor so please respect that. The
only crags that there is a risk at are those in the Sport Valley (Pasture, Coven,
Other Side, Flying is Fun) and Waterfall area as these are close to the
township. An incident is unlikely but as a precaution do not take valuables
10