Recently went to wellingtons dome and was trying to find the routes on the goat face (left of the main dome when looking straight at them) we couldn't see any bolts and decided to walk the long way around to see if there were any bolts at the top. We eventually found them... all three sets of bolts for the three climbs had been smashed in by what looked like a hammer and other bolts on the face had been cut..

is this a closure or vandalism-seems like alot of effort for vandalism.. does anyone know anything about this... thanks alot
Tim

Hi

The 3 lines on Goat face are not on Jaap's property. We had a case of vandalism after the new fence was put up. So we chopped all the top anchors and set new ones lower down. To climb these, you park by the fence, squeeze through between the fence and cliff, and climb as usual. You stop at the chains just before the top on the last pitch, thread and lower to rap from the chains below. The second can top rope via the thread in the chains. Be careful of rope length, tie a knot in the end so you do not lower through the belay device. If the top pitches are too long for your rope, bring all to the hanging belay at the top chains and rap as usual. All the other lines are fine, except the first bolt of Younger Fitter Faster, which is also outside Jaap’s property.

I think this was as a result of some of the cattle herders being upset because of the presence of the fence and them not being able to graze their cattle there anymore. The farm is managed by Limburg Farming Enterprised (Jaap manager of this section) but owned by Bohwa Barene Community Trust. The put up the fence at a cost of over R3 mill originally. Their intention was to put game inside. Bohwa Barene Community Trust is a black owned company. Subsequently the fence has been totally destroyed in places and this plan has been put on ice. There is limited grazing in the area, with the land outside the area badly overgrazed. This is a tough call, but I am inclined to understand the herder’s anger.

Neil

Thanks very much for the detailed explanation, we tried to find the fence but it has all been ripped down now, yeah i can understand why it has been done i suppose.. but will have to go back and do those routes now!!

thanks once again, tim