South Africa

Hi Everyone,

I'm moving to South Africa for a year on June 23rd and plan on continuing my climbing obsessed lifestyle, as best I can, while I am there. Is anyone here on Mountain Project familiar with some of the climbing in the country or region in general? I will be living in Kwa-Zulu Natal somewhere between Durban and Nqutu for most of the time.

As far as climbing preferences are concerned, I do everything. Bouldering, trad, sport, multi-pitch, alpine climbing, water ice. I love it all.

While I am in Africa, I hope to possibly make it up Mt. Kenya, but we'll see.

So, if you've been to SA, are from SA, or will be in SA and want to climb or share some of your knowledge with me it would be a great help and very much appreciated!

climbing.co.za is a good reference. Specifically: climbing.co.za/wiki/index.p…

Also, if you're psyched on bouldering it is 100% worth it to make a trip to the Cape region and go to the Rocklands.

commiebob wrote:http://www.climbing.co.za is a good reference. Specifically: climbing.co.za/wiki/index.p… Also, if you're psyched on bouldering it is 100% worth it to make a trip to the Cape region and go to the Rocklands.

Sweet, thanks for the response. Have you climbed in the Rocklands? Do tell!

Also, to general MP people, has nobody else climbed in SA? If you have and you read this, post a little bit about your experience. I would greatly appreciate it!

I'm going to going to Cape Town around the 5 of July until the 23 and will be trying to get after it as much as possible. Would really like to do a big route on table mountain but as long as I'm climbing ill be happy! Ill have my rope and a rack so if you are interested in meeting up I am keen!

Jsimon25 wrote:I'm going to going to Cape Town around the 5 of July until the 23

Alas, it rains a lot in Cape Town in July. You may be lucky and get some dry days, but the rock could still be wet. Your best bet may be to drive inland to an area like Montagu (about 3 hours away).

I'm from SA originally and started climbing there on Table Mountain. The routes on TM are all spectacular with excellent rock, good protection and the exposure is tremendous. There are no fixed pro. Most find that climbing with a double rope technique works best because the lines wander around quite a bit so rope drag can be a problem. Remember that winter there is July- September and it can be both cold and wet then. Be sure to get assistance with the correct trail up to Africa ledge and down - as it is easy to lose the trail. Do not attempt to descend the trail in the mist cloud cover which occurs very frequently. There is no rescue service.

Hey,

Your trip sounds awesome. I bought this movie the other day, you may want to check it out. A few guys go to Namibia (right North of S. Africa) and climb around a bit:

steepedge.com/search.html?s…

Have fun,

Hey All,

I'm going to be in Cape Town the 18th-30th or so--how long I stay all depends on how good the climbing is. Michael are you going to need time to settle in or would you want to get right at it?

Anyone and everyone that could use a partner in Cape Town or Port Elizabeth around this time let me know. This is a completely last minute trip and if I don't get any climbing in that will be completely OK (surfing at J-Bay and headed to Thailand after), but I would love to climb in Cape Town as well.

Cheers,
Jacob

Schaps wrote:There is no rescue service.

It may not be on a par with YOSAR, but it does exist: wsar.co.za

I have a very good friend who is living in SA for the next 1.5 years. He says the climbing is pretty incredible---tons of rock---sport, trad, bouldering, you name it. And a very small group of climbers for the most part (he said you will basically have all areas to yourself, which is wild.) He's living in Capetown and has mentioned the areas of N Table and Cederberg being really cool.

He's making friends with the local climbers there but I'm sure would love to meet others.....if you're interested PM me and I can get you his email/info. It does seem like the climbing community there is SA is quite small.

Enjoy!

No mention of Waterval Boven? Hundreds if not thousands of quality sandstone routes in a great setting. 7 hours from Durban. The waterfall area is extra cool.

Here's a mini guide: climbing.co.za/topo/pdf/Wat…

No SA but got to climb in the next-door Namibia a week ago. You should put Brandberg on your list:

That looks awesome.

Michael Sullivan wrote: Sweet, thanks for the response. Have you climbed in the Rocklands? Do tell! Also, to general MP people, has nobody else climbed in SA? If you have and you read this, post a little bit about your experience. I would greatly appreciate it!

I've done a few sport routes at Thornkloof near Grahamstown (Eastern Cape). You wouldn't drive more than two hrs to do these but they were fun. The climbing community there is small but friendly. You'd probably have the place to yourself if you went. There is good detailed route info at the E Cape section of the Mountain Club of SA:

eas.mcsa.org.za/Rock%20Clim…

If you are ever in the Eastern Cape, I would recommend looking at Hogsback (been there many times but have not climbed). The climbing is on a cliff band at the top of the local mountains. The climate is cool, the flora and fauna is afro-montane (relatively scarce in SA) and it has a nice rustic ambiance. Good info is available at the link above.