Hey All.
Here is the deal: i work as a missionary in Lesotho. My buddy and i (both climbers), live in a village called Pulane, which is in Southern Lesotho, Quthing district. We work at a children's Centre, essentially a safe haven for orphans and vulnerable children.
As much as we can, my buddy and i head out on w ends and try and find some decent climbs. In the last year that we have both been there, we have discovered a handful of decent climbs. Here is the problem: obviously these are all new areas, and not bolted. So every time anyone wants to climb, its a mission to somehow get to the top, get a top rope in and then finally climb a bit. So, we want to start bolting some of the routes. A downside is that its mainly sandstone type rock in the area we are, but, with the right glue and bolts etc, we reckon we can get a few lekker climbs bolted.
In addition to this, we have a sort of 'outdoor club' with our older children. One activity is abseiling. We have ab-ed with about 20 kids just down a practice, 6m cliff. They love it. We want to get some bolts and decent anchors into a bigger cliff we have so that we can do that with them too. We also want to let them start climbng some of the easier climbs, once bolted.
Here is my idea: We dont have money to bolt. We have money just enough every month to provide food etc for over 60 kids. What i am wanting to find out is if there are a group of people interested in having a weekend (or longer) visiting the Children's Centre and doing some bolting! We will happily provide free accomodation, and we can offer you an awesome w end away in the mountains. It would be amazing if we could get some climbers through to bring some bolts and glue etc, spend a few days, do some climbing and bolting, and have fun! Would anyone be interested in this?
To give you an idea, its about 8hrs drive from JHB, and the last 35km's requires a high clearence car (bakkie). 4x4 only necessary if its been raining.
Let me know. You guys can reply here, or e mail me on grantstrugnell@gmail.com. Lets see if people are keen and we can have some fun!
It would probably be in late Sept or early Oct.
look fwd to hearing!

Can you post some photos of the rock faces.

Here is one photo. This climb is pretty cool , prob about a 17 or so. Its got some nice pockets most of the way up. pretty fun

Hey man,

We may be able to help you guys out!
I'm trying to organise some friends and a bakkie etc.
Will keep you posted.

Marc

cool Marc. Yeah, i will be in e mail signal til mid sept, when i return to Lestho. At the moment i am in SA doing some stuff. look fwd to hearing more

How far is the walk-in?