BYOND

This route is on the far left side of any of the other 2 or 3 existing routes on this immense slab of rock making up the South Face of Pontok 3. Boldly and brilliantly drilled on lead in impeccable style by Timmy, the original idea was to place many more bolts. Running out of power, time, and bolts while forging up the smooth slab, we made plans to return and protect it more. 

Due to the seriousness of the route in its original state, it is named BYOND...The Bacher - Yerian Of Namibia.

AUGUST 2016 UPDATE: The Bacher Yerian of Namibia (now Beyond Plaisir:)) was retrofitted by James Garrett and Franziska Garrett with many more additional bolts added. It can now be climbed relatively stress free. Still, it may feel run out in some sections for some climbers. This is testimony to Timmy's bold leads when first establishing the route. It probably would have stood unrepeated for many years if it had not been equipped with more protection. This super fun route now holds great promise to become one of Namibia's more popular moderate multi-pitch well protected (Plaisir) routes. Perhaps an oxymoron as climbers in this corner of the world are a bit of a rarity as it is, nevertheless, it is fun climbing!

Though many intermediary belays have been equipped to minimize rope drag, the original number of pitches remains as originally reported for the historical record.

It is possible to climb this route with one 60m rope, yet using a 70m rope or two 60m ropes might be prudent. In the event of retreat, two ropes is best. Can easily be rappelled with one 70m rope ~14 Rappels.

The beginning of BYOND is 50m up and left of the obvious right facing dihedral of the route Sachsenwand (18=5.9), find a faint broken left facing short corner. Start up the featured slab just to the right.

Pitch #1: Find the first bolt about 20m up the 5.7ish slab. mostly straight up trending slightly left to another bolt to where the angle steepens. Pass two more bolts to a two-bolt belay. (Now 14 bolts with two 30m pitches) 5.7+, 60m.

Pitch #2: Straight up past 4 widely spaced bolts to another two-bolt belay. Awesome and consistent slab climbing on great granite. (14 bolts with two 30m pitches) 5.8, 60m.

Pitch #3: Now move up and trend left passing 3 widely spaced bolts aiming for a weakness in the roof at "the corner". A number of medium sized cams can be used to protect surmounting this roof to a flake, then jog again to the left to a nice ledge and two-bolt belay. (12 bolts and 1 25m pitch and 1 35m pitch) 5.8+, 60m.

Pitch #4: Continue trending left until reaching the prominent orange water streak passing 3 bolts to a two-bolt belay. (About 12 bolts and 2 30m pitches) 5.9, 60m.

Pitch #5: Consistently in your face 5.9+ climbing left of and parallel to the orange streak and belay above the "Bulls Horn" appearing feature. A wild pitch with only 3 bolts! (A dozen bolts and two pitches) 5.9+, 60m.

Pitch #6: An every move 5.10a cruxy run out pitch with 3 bolts to a two-bolt belay. (~12 bolts total now) 5.10a, 50m.

Pitch #7: Easier climbing leads (no bolts) to a nice ledge with a two-bolt belay below the summit capstone. (3 bolts now) 5.6, 30m.

Third Class to the spectacular summit of Pontok 3.

Descend by walking off down the west ridge and down the original route gully. Or best may be to Rappel the route with one 70m rope.

South Face of Pontok 3. Find the start of BYOND 50m up and left of the start of Sachsenwand and yet still on one of the longer aspects of the blankish left side of the wall. Once on route, route finding will be obvious.