Hi all. I'm coming down to CT for a week's holiday next month and I'd like to fit a day at Silvermine in. I've only ever been there once before and that was 10 years ago! Is it safe to climb there in small groups? It would just be myself and my wife. Tia!

IMO, yes Silvermine is 100% safe. The Silvermine crags below the ridge are all fine.
The Mine is fine as well, but best park at the Navy Guard house (100m up the road) or drive half way (requires a 4x2) and park halfway - the road that leads off to the left - There have been occasions where cars parked at the bottom have been broken into.
Topside (bouldering) is fine.
The 'Main Silvermine Crag' is often voted best (allround) crag in SA by Europeans.

To the best of my knowledge there have been no incidents of crime at Silvermine (besides the solar panels being stolen from the entrance).

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Climb ZA - Administrator

Justin I know of one incident at Silvermine Nature Reserve which happened a while back at the reservoir there. A man was walking with his wife there on a Sunday afternoon when two men ran up to them with knives and took I believe the mans camera. The one man held a knife to the mans stomach. I read this in the paper it was a while back.

Please correct me if any of my information is incorrect.

I reckon that Silvermine is 100% safe as you have to pay or use a wild card to get in and this keeps the criminals away, mainly because they have to go through a manned gate to get in. It is possible for them to walk up from Tokai, but this is a long schlep.

Thanks for the info, chaps. I'm looking forward to a good day's climbing!

Justin, I disagree with you that Silvermine is 100% safe. Although there have been, as yet, no reported attacks at any of the crags, there have been reports of suspicious characters at at least one venue (lower crag). Also, there have been reported muggings within the Silvermine area (both the dam area and Topside area).

People should be urged to be extra vigilant *everywhere* on the mountain, these days and report any suspicious characters or behaviour to park officials.

I'd suggest the 'big stick' approach, but that's just me...

Thanks Brent, wasn't aware of that.

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Climb ZA - Administrator