Climbing in Cederberg

From Stellenbosch we headed into the Cederberg National Park for a few days of sport climbing. We headed off the tarmac road onto gravel, hoping our small two wheel-drive car was capable. We arrived at the Nuwerust Farm, where Louise greeted us and even lent us their copy of the climbing guide book for the area.

That afternoon we took a short walk to look at Red River Crag, but concluded that the routes there were at the higher end of our ability so maybe we’d come and look at them another day.

The next day went to search for a crag which the guidebook promised had a load of routes within our ability. When we arrived at the campsite where we thought it was located we were informed that there was no climbing here, and suggested Truitjies Krall crag – which we’d just passed. With a permit in hand, we headed back there. We were so pleased we did. It was an amazing location with stunning red rock and a cave with numerous San finger-paintings around 2000-1000 years old. 

As we walked up the gorge we jumped back, startled, there was a snake! Just wiggling it’s way along. It didn’t seem to notice us, and we stayed well clear until it was gone.

We found the Hueco Punks Sector of the crag and climbed, with me leading and Anya seconding, Way to Go (5a), Skinhead Stomp (5c), Nick Nack (5c), and Knee Bar Wager (5c). In the mid-afternoon, as the sun made it’s way onto the crag – eliminating our shade, we decided to head back to the camp for a cold drink and a dip in the pool.

The day after we headed up to Rooiberg Crags, a rock outcrop on the mountain overlooking the campsite. We headed up early in the morning as we were advised that was when it got the shade. About an hours walk from the campsite took us to the crag. It was a fantastic view over the surrounding landscape. I wished I’d bought a fleece, as it was quite chilly standing in the shade! We climbed Cool Breeze (5c) , Too Hot to Handle (5c) , Book of Fun (5b) , and Ethel the Aardvark Goes Quantity Surveying (5a) , before heading back down for some lunch at our camp.

In the afternoon we headed back to Red River Crag, where I climbed Aussies Wedding Gift (6a+) and Hanna Savana (6a) .