One thing is for sure, you definately are a rat.
I often read the forums on Climb ZA, but never post replies, but after reading through your forum I feel obligated to add my two cents.
I have been climbing at Bronkies for longer than most people, and have spent more time there than most - often going during the week. It seems that every month more and more people are visiting the crag. I can still remember when there would only be about 10 visitors to the crag over a whole weekend, some days it would only be us (my climbing partner and myself).
Bronkies was originally developed by Lofty and Margetts, with routes added by the Lowthers and Andrew, and others. At first the crag access was limited to members of the Mountain Club, but this was later phased out. It was always understood that it was our privelage to be allowed to use this crag, by far the best crag in the borders of the Gauteng province, and that we needed to keep a good relationship with the owners of the property, respect the natural beauty of the area, its fauna and flora and their eco-system. The original route guide clearly stated that no bolting should be done to the left of \"Blue Suede Shoe's\" and to the right of \"Memoirs of a Belay Bunny\", so as to protect the nest belonging to the eagles.
Having completed 90% of the routes, I do not spend as much time there as I use to. On a recent visit I saw new routes had been added to the right of \"Memoirs\" - I don't believe these routes are that much of a threat to the Eagles, but a line needs to be drawn somewhere.

You have clearly crossed the line, and I hate knowing that there is a prick like you out there associating himself with rock climbing. Your disrepect for ethics and greed would be more suited in the world of proffessional sport.
By the sounds of it you have already placed bolts, It really grates me to think of you abseiling down past the eagles nest, scaring them away and then drilling below their nest for who knows how long.
We (My climbing buddies and myself) have often stopped to look at the potential lines in the forrested area, but have always maintained that we would never climb there due to the eagles.

I am good friends with the owners of the farm, and they have voiced some concerns with me in the past, mainly about people not paying. I will be bringing this up with them to put a stop to you bolting your route, and plan to chop any bolts placed as long as this will not disturb the eagles. You are clearly in the minority and its time you wake up and accept that you are in the wrong.

Brillaint and very well said!

I, as a newbie climber, was starting to think for a moment that climbers were rude and inconsiderate gits like CragRat.... nice to see this is not the case.

We're heading out this way on Sun for the first time and hope to not find the place overrun by moronic fools who have no respect or consideration for anybody other than themselves.

Perhaps the answer to this would be to control / restrict access to this crag again!?! I hate to say it, or suggest it, but if people cannot respect the environment then they do not deserve the privelage of making use of it and we all run the risk of losing all access to the site because of people like this.

dear ryan don't worry bru cragrat happens to be the uncle bob mugabe of climbing, no seriously most people thinks it is great to have a crag where there is still otters, ducks, dassies and eagles. not to mention the odd bergadder. the responses on this post is ample evidence that his intended behaviour will not be tollerated so me thinks there is no reason to restric access.

I look forward to seeing all you eagle loving folk there on Sunday, enjoy a route or more in the fine spring sunshine. It's been a while since I last climbed at Bronkies and will be introducing the spot to some new comers.

Can anyone tell me if the hangers on \"Rock Flower\" have been replaced yet?

Rock Flower's hangers are back.

I tried to climb Grim Reaper (the route that \"stole\" the hangers from RF) over the weekend and was surprised to find NO TOP ANCHORS ON GRIM REAPER.

jip, rockflower is climbable again

last time i climbed grim reaper there were top anchors - the placement is just a bit weird they're in an indent and therefore not visible from the last bolt.

Cragrat you dumb jock idiot! I read of people asking if there any guidelines governing this sort of situation; YES! There are, ones viewed as being so important that they have been written into law. What you have done by rapping past the birds and putting up your route is a criminal offence. The route should be (quietly) chopped and you should recieve a hefty fine for your blatant stupidity. Get a clue you twit!!!!

Hey Mok

I did see the placements/bolts - they just did not have any chains/anchors to rap off....

Hi

I'm just gonna latch on to this thread since all / most of the Bronkies climbers seem to be watching.

I've updated the Wiki's RD for Bronkies. I left the old style there to compare / revert if I get flamed, the new style at the bottom. No changes to the route order / grade / names, just the table format with notes added which I picked up from this post & other on this site.

Comments? Leave the new style / take it down?

_________________
Live fast, die young & leave a good looking corpse

oi, okay, somebody must have removed the chains from grim reaper - they were there a month or so ago.....

onedogdude i think your wiki format is kiff

hahaha okay cragrat you had us all there. anybody who sees IP / NEST knows there is no line.....

by the way, grim reapers chains are in place - climbed it on sunday. like i said, they're not that easy to spot. the bolts with no hangers are above the chains.

I think Cragrat is serious about bolting the new route.I was at Bronkies on Sunday and noticed chalk marks at various intervalls leading up to the eagles nest and through the overhang above. I abseiled off the route and was horrified to find the remains of what seemed to be a meal of sorts.What i found on the ledge was , a frying pan,empty margerine tub,large broken egg shells as well as a half loaf of bread.What have you done cragrat....what have you done.

By the way i noticed some dude with a 4pound hammer smashing all the bolts on Grim Reaper.Whats that all about????

This is the most amazing stuff I have ever seen climbers taking things into there own hands without thinking of anything or anybody else.

I myself will not take it lightly if someone goes and bolts a line right next to a Eagles nest endangered or not Nature should always be put first.

I can see the end is near for climbing at Bronkies while done to all whom helped to stuff it up for anybody else and for WHAT to put your name to a route you apparently bolted.

I just hope you stay away for all those other places.

d0mD00s!

To all tohse of you that have not taken note of the fact that the section under which this thread was generated was called \"Trivia - climbing humor, jokes etc.\". This thread was inspired by the controversy of the ever encrouching routes towards the black eagles. I put up the IP toungue in cheek. I have been climbing for 36 years now, and have been climbing the kloofs longer than most of you have been on this planet and am an avid bird watcher to boot. I am pleased to see that clmbers are still passionate today about conservation as they were years ago. I am sure with the spirit and passion you have shown, the eagles are there to stay. - You have been punked !!! -

Whilst i am thankful and relieved to hear you are joking; if you are to be believed, about bolting a route up to the eagles' nest I am still depressed that you would deface the rock with a massive IP, to cross that out and replace it with another even bigger NEST.

I guess some aimless graffiti is better than the alternative ... just would be nice if we had neither.

Guess there is no pleasing some ....

I was at Bronkies on Sun for the first time and absolutely loved it.... The eagles themselves graced us with their brilliance and splendor in the afternoon. It would be horrific if indeed the area fell victim to some inconsiderate fools. Glad none of those exist amongst the climbing community.

It is worrying to see just how close to \"NEST\" there are other bolted regular climbs. Aren't there enough routes already? Aren't there other sections of this stunning kloof that can be explored?

Any word on those signs which will clearly mark the no go areas around the nest?

I always thought you had your head up your arse.

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Live fast, die young & leave a good looking corpse

Just a follow up on the topic. Eventually got the signs made up and put up. Thanks to all for their support and especially the Jhb section of the Mountain club for their sponsorship!

good one cragrat hehehehe. so you're an old dude still up to mischief kewl. by the way, i had a second look at the IP / Nest sign area and saw a pretty good line just to the right of it........

All I can say is that I hope CragRat never, ever, ever breeds!!

That ship has sailed!

Yip - thanks MCSA for the signs. Is this nesting site a \"registered\" site with any conservation type organisation and if not should the appropriate org not be using it as a perfect study site on the breeding habits etc. - Would like to see some detailed progress updatesd and results.......anyone for eagle memrobilia ?....feathers, claws, beaks, blown eggs with ethnic designs painted on them