Hi,
Saw under the news section that one can no longer access Skoorsteenskop cause of a gate across the road

I guess this means all climbers should stay away until the issue is (hopefully) resolved

Anyone got any more info on this?

Don't think access is restricted. You just have to walk further.

Walk further from where though? I was there last weekend... saw the gates and fencing, which completely blocks off the mountain from the normal entry point. I drove around the area to see if there was any other point where I could access the mountain without climbing over somebody's house, but couldn't seem to find a way.

any clues? directions / roadnames?

I tried to climb at Skoorsteenkop this weekend. Made it through the first gate but was kindly escorted out by one of the residents. It seems the whole area near the original entry is fenced off. I asked the person who showed me out if there were any other entry points and he gave me directions to one. I couldnt find it. It seems its all fenced off.

I dont think this is to restrict climbing access but rather to stop people from the nearby squatter camp passing through. It still sucks though, Skoorsteenkop might end up having an even worse walk in

Hi
I will try and find out what is happening here. We have a right to access, but perhaps just need to work around the security arrangements for the residents.
That road is a pipe track, and under the jurisdiction of the Hout Bay waterworks people. Apparently they are fairly sympathetic to the residents' security problems. Those who know Hout Bay will be aware of the problems in the suburb; they have major crime issues, which is affecting all sorts of aspects of life in HB. Anyway, I don't want to go into that here (except to say that those idiots who voted for Them... oh, never mind...).

The road is a public road, and thus the public have a right to access. I will try and contact the relevant person in the South Pen Municipality, and try and resolve the issue.
If anyone has been to the crag lately, please contact me and let me know exactly where the fence is, what problems you experienced, and if there are alternative access and parking arrangements at the moment.
thanks
Brent (brent@liver.uct.ac.za)
w: 021-4066333

Ok, here's what I have been able to find out so far:

I have spoken to Nat Parks, who are not able to do anything about this. However, I have also spoken to someone at the South Pen Municipality who is. According to what he told me, the gate and fence is indeed on public property (not private property, as is claimed by the resident concerned). Thus, technically at least, access cannot be denied to the public.

Now, at this stage, nothing has been done because the waterworks people (who need access too) have a key for the gate, so they are not concerned. If, however, there is a complaint from the public, then the municipality will have to remove the gate, forcibly if necessary.

Clearly there is a dispute here, between the resident and everyone else. My concern is purely access to climbers, so I will try and deal with it from that perspective. While I appreciate the security problems the resident is experiencing, he cannot go on denying access to that path. The MCSA should be able to assist in sorting this out (take note, those who think the club does nothing for us climbers!). Please bear with us while we do this, I will try not to let it drag on, but there are some protocols that need to be worked through.

Will keep those who are interested up to date with developments.
cheers
Brent