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Kranskop Panorama

It was like a return to a sacred place! ……….. Kranskop in the Free State near the little town of Memel. Climbers had lost access to this amazing rock venue some 12 years ago. Now climbers are allowed back on the crags as long as the correct permission is obtained. I had only been to Kranskop once before in the late 90′s and just loved the place. Now I was back with a bunch of Mountain Club mates to relive the old memories.

Gavin on Lunatic Fringe

We arrived on the Friday late afternoon and 4 of us dropped our kit at the base camp cottage and headed off for a fast ascent of some classic lines before and a little after dark. I managed to quickly do Brain Drain (15) and Bruce Sobey did Lunatic Fringe (13) – both 5 star routes.

Hannelie leading Longinquos

Saturday we were back up at the crags early with the whole group of some 12 people. I set off with Bruce and Allard Welter for the classic Retina, a 3-pitch route which ends up in a huge hole through the mountain. The other parties set out on different routes and also had a great time.

Bruce Tomalin bouldering

Kranskop is a lone mesa type mountain which rises out of the Free State plains. The crags are formed from Free State sandstone and are about 50m – 70m in height. The climbing is all traditional in style and consists of long evenly graded routes of great quality.

Gavin Raubenheimer

(Photos by Gavin Raubenheimer, Hannelie Morris and Bruce Tomalin)

For more info on guided rock climbing please visit our website on:http://www.peakhigh.co.za/rockclimb.php or contact Gavin on: gavin@peakhigh.co.za

We ran a very informal beginners rock climbing meet at Swinburne in the Freestate (near Harrismith) for the Mountain Club recently.

ALL photos in this post by Hilton Moore

Friday afternoon Gavin and I sneaked out to climb a few routes before the beginners arrived. As always the boulders on the Farmyard were harder than we thought they were…

Saturday started with a safety talk and an introduction to belaying. The more experienced beginners were taught to lead and the first-timers had the opportunity to  toprope lots of routes. Throughout the weekend there were many volunteers to put ropes on routes, keen belayers and keen climbers. It is amazing how sharing fear brings people together!

We had a lovely braai in the evening and lots of laughter about the days experiences!

For more information on Certified Peak High Courses please visit our website: http://www.peakhigh.co.za/courses2.php

Hannelie Morris

Monteseel, has some of Kwa Zuly Natals best trad routes. Hannelie and I went out and did one of the best lines at the crag, Free Ride. It is only graded 17 but feels like grade 21 due to the steepness and exposure.  Worth doing if you are in the area.

These are pictures and stories of  the Peak High staff, Gavin, Hannelie and Colin going climbing.  It has been said that ,  “it is good for a mountain-guide to get a little dry in the mouth from time to time.”  These picture show that the Peak High bunch get out often, and climb just for pleasure.

I lead a Mountain club meet to climb the Rhino in the Southern Drakensberg, South Africa. The route can be done hiking to the top, but we choose to do a climbing route. There are 2 well-known routes up the Rhino, one is the S-route and the other is the Eastern Arête.

Very cold and windy

Colin McCoy (also a guide for Peak High Mountaineering), Cesar, Bruce and I walked in on Saturday – the weather wasn’t looking good, except for rain every now and then, the wind also never let down. We had a super good meal in the Pillar cave annexe (even if I have to say so myself) and tried to sleep as much as the wind allowed. Cesar brought us tea in bed and it seemed like we had no choice. Decision time: Eastern Arête was our choice because of the wind and I think that was the right one!

The hike to the start of the climb was hard work: very steep and fighting the wind. Starting the climb we were lucky to be slightly out of the wind, but the rock was still icy cold. The three pitches were quickly mastered by all 4 of us – Rock climbing in the Drakensberg is just so different from anywhere else in the world! – I love it!

We had lunch hurdled in a corner out of the wind and then took the path down through Masaih pass – trying to stay upright in the wind was really hard work. But all in all the day was really good fun!!

For more information contact Gavin on: gavin@peakhigh.co.za or check out the website at: http://www.peakhigh.co.za/guided.php