I was thinking of fitting abseil chains on both summits. There are already tat & natural abseil points, so its not life or death. It is a very historic area, so I wondered if there would be major objections. It is a strictly trad area & it won't lead to sport climbing ....long walk with a drill.

Please specify:
- grade of stainless....
- which hardware shop did you buy it from (if applicable, and if so, please provide BBBEE certification papers)
- Annealed?
- Glue in bolts?
- Camouflaged?
- Using BBBEE / AA labour to install?
- Do you have a car guard? (if so, refer to aforementioned question)
- Is your drilling equipment "Proudly South African" ?
- What's your environmental impact on the walk-in?

......Just messing with you. As lon as Oom Paul did not happen to lean his rifle against that spot, go for it.

PS: I believe deserve a cookie for leaving the MCSA out of it.....

Cookie Monster

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Climb ZA - Administrator

Does any one have acsess to a 1901-2 MCSA Journal? I would like to read page 49.

For a number of years now I've been using the abseil stations on both summits of Towerkop. I've also given a moment's thought on putting up bolts at the stations, but would one like to climb the classic Nefdt's Route (1st route in SA -1885) and top out to bolts & chains? The current station on the Western Peak (above Nefdt's) consists of 3 nuts - their cables rusty, their cords dusty. I would recommend simply replacing these nuts with new ones. In 2010 the 125th anniversary of Nefdt's Route will see a lot of climbers using this conveniently located abseil point.

The rap station on the Eastern Pinnacle is a matter of concern too. It consists of a few rocks chockstoned inside a hollow sounding crack. I'm sure that a bit of exploring in that area will provide a suitable crack/split for nuts to be used as a replacement (or backup) of the current station.

Let us keep this classic mountain bolt free - but just as safe.
Happy tradding!

Jan Viljoen, Ladismith

We did keep it bolt free in the end. Quite a bit of potential up there. Our party openned 8 new lines. I will up date & post the TK RD.