Not sure if anyone has posted about this yet but I couldn't find anything. Message is from the person involved in the incident:


On September 21st, two climbers from the United States who are in South Africa on diplomatic assignments were robbed at knife point at the Flying is Fun crag in Waterval Boven. The robbery went on for nearly an hour and involved threats of both murder and sexual assault. At one point, one of the climbers was forced to climb twenty feet up the wall unprotected, while his wife was tied up and initially led away into the woods for a brief period. Thankfully, neither climber was hurt, although the situation at many points seemed headed in a much nastier direction. The climbers have been in touch with the owners of Roc and Rope and others regarding the incident. For the time being, everyone seems to agree that all climbing parties should avoid the cliffs around Elandsrkans Resort (the creepy ghost town resort where the road turns from pavement to dirt) unless they are part of a large party or bring along a guard. The assaulted climbers suggest carrying cash on all climbing ventures (if they had had cash, which is what their assailant wanted more than anything else, the assault would likely have been much shorter and less traumatic), and perhaps a pocket-sized means of self-defense such as pepper spray or a tazer. Questions about the incident may be directed to David Chalmers: dchalmers@usaid.gov

Mike, Ruth, Tahlia Behr and I were robbed at gunpoint at The Coven almost 10 years ago.
The guy was caught and went to jail. He had committed similar crimes before, was released only the week before.
I wouldn't be surprised if he was involved in this one too.

The crags around Elandskrans have been notoriously bad, almost no-go zones, for a few years.
Most Boven climbers know that you don't climb at the lower crags unless you are in a large group.

- Robert Breyer

Terrible to hear! Glad it ended relatively ok for those involved.


Robert
What would you estimate the age of the guy (with the gun) who held up your group?
&
Did you have cash to give your assailants?

IMO...
Carrying a self defense item (of any kind) is not a solution unless there is a dedicated person (who is willing) to use it - (belaying and taser'ing someone at the same time could prove difficult!)

Carrying money is not the answer as it will simply make climbers targets (throughout SA). On those lines we would do better to pay a monthly 'protection' retainer to the criminals

All I can think to say is put warning signs in place and (as mentioned) go in a large group / take an armed guard - however none of these precautions are a guarantee of safety!

Situation sucks!

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Climb ZA - Administrator

if you aren't willing to drive that far your nearest climbing is The Rock, in Gateway, which might qualify as the best under utilized climbing facility in the country

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pitter

crime sucks. carrying money to bribe robbers will only make it worse.