Lion's Head

General info

There are two crags on Lion's Head, one is Granite and the other is Sandstone. The sandstone climbing is on the concentric rings of rock at the top of the mountain (the Lion's Head part), while the granite climbing is on the huge Huguenot Slab, a short distance above the houses of Fresnaye/Bantry Bay and facing the sea and Robben Island.

There are some single pitch sport routes on the granite, but mostly they are multi-pitch trad routes. Climbing on the sandstone is all trad, with a mix of single pitch and multi-pitch routes, depending on the bands, ledges, vegetation and rock quality. The walk-in to the granite is about 15 minutes and to the sandstone about 25 minutes.

Guide book

A Climber's Guide to Lion's Head, David Mercer, 2008.

Getting there

Drive up Kloof Nek Road from Cape Town centre. At the intersection at the top where you can turn left to Table Mountain or continue down to Camp's Bay, take a right turn onto the Lion's Head/Signal Hill Road. Drive up the steep road. After about a kilometre the road flattens and you come to the first big parking area that also has a wooden guard house. This is the parking area if you want to climb on the sandstone crags. You will notice a steep dirt track with a boom heading up the mountain. This is it.

To get to the Granite continue driving along the road until you come up the small Muslim Kramat. This is a little white building with a domed roof. Park in this area. From this spot walk towards the Atlantic Ocean then turn left so you're walking towards Lion's Head but heading a little seawards (south-west). You will be on a good path, when you walk past the wood and concrete bench, look to the right for a small path which traverses across (aim for the Bluegum trees) to reach the Granite.

Food and accommodation

Nothing there mate.

Notes

Some of the sport routes on the granite require a rope.

Lion's Head Granite

Notes

Some of the sport routes require a 60 metre rope. Always put a knot in the end of the rope; a visiting Scottish climber died because he failed to do this. There are both sport and trad routes at the granite.

Main Area (above Fesnaye)

Getting there

Drive up Kloof Nek Road from Cape Town centre. At the intersection at the top where you can turn left to Table Mountain or continue down to Camps Bay, take a right turn onto the Lion's Head/Signal Hill Road. Drive up the steep road. After about a kilometre the road flattens and you come to the first big parking area that also has a wooden guard house.

To get to the Granite continue driving along the road for another kilometre or so until you come up the small Muslim Kramat. This is a little white building with a domed roof. Park in this area. From this spot walk towards the Atlantic Ocean then turn left so you're walking towards Lion's Head but heading a little seawards. You will be on a good path. When you walk past the wood and concrete bench, look to the right for a small path which traverses across (aim for the Bluegum trees) to reach the Granite. The walk-in takes about 15 minutes.

Routes

Popular routes:

• Silhouette Crack (14) ***
• Millions (19) ****
• Huguenot Crag (18) ***
• Tea Trolley Crack (17) ***
• Scratch (17) *****
• De Bruin Damage (19) *****
• Heart of Darkness (23) 7 Bolts ***
• Free at Last (24) 7 Bolts ***
• Jono Fisher's Project (18) 8 Bolts ****
• Return of the Edi (23) 8 Bolts ****

New routes

• Raincheck 15 R/X (N)
  

Climb the face exactly between the hand crack of Huguenot Wall and the thin crack of the Huguenot Wall variation, directly to the bolted stance. (I am sure this pitch has probably been top-roped from the anchor before but not recorded as a 'lead' route that I am aware of.) Listed for sake of completion, there is no pro.
R.Halsey (solo) Aug 2010

• Itch Factor 19R (N)
  

The blunt arete between Tea-Trolley Crack and Daylight Robbery.
Start in the gulley near a small tree and scramble up over blocks. Follow a short right-tending crack that ends in a bulge. Delicately balance left and up into the next crack, which leads up to a large flake. Continue straight up arete and easy runout to stance on small platform (medium cams). Scramble to top.
FA: R.Halsey 4/10/2010

• White Knuckle Wafer 19R (N)
  

Start a few meters right of Knuckleduster. Scramble up and delicately climb the right side of the fragile flake to an undercling. Traverse ~1m left (psychological micro nuts possible) and then straight up face to top. A fall just before topping out would be very serious.
FA: R.Halsey 13/10/2010

Encore Boulder (above Clifton/ Camps bay)

Getting there

Located below the Circular walking route overlooking the Clifton beaches

Encore boulder; Route: Unknow-3

Routes

• Unknow-1 (21) (top rope problem)

• Unknow-2 (18) ****

• Unknow-3 (15) **** Note: Can just be done in one pitch with a 50m rope

New routes

• On Cord 16 (N)
  

A fun link-up that starts up the chimney on the Northern side of the boulder. At the rail (about half height), make a scenic traverse towards Camps Bay until you reach the edge of the enormous flake. Straight up this and friction slab to the glue-in lower-off's.
R. Halsey 29/3/2011

Badger Boulder (above Clifton)

Getting there

Located below the Circular walking route overlooking the Clifton beaches. Where the path intersects with another path (Northern) from the Kramat. Take the left fork to some granite boulders, then head down to another set. This is 175m NNW of the Encore boulder.

Routes/ New Routes

Note: Grades are based on comparison to Unknown-2 at Encore boulder

Mockarriage (13) **/***

~8m Climb the obvious crack on the North aspect of the boulder
C. Tooze & A. Chiat 12/11/2015

Foxy Clifton Hard Bodies (14) ****

~20m Climb the obvious crack on the Southern aspect of the boulder
C. Tooze & A. Chiat 12/11/2015

Mockarriage

Foxy Clifton Hard Bodies

Lion's Head Sandstone

The sandstone climbing is on the concentric rings of rock at the top of the mountain (the Lion's Head part).

Climbing on the sandstone is all trad, with a mix of single pitch and multi-pitch routes, depending on the bands, ledges, vegetation and rock quality. The walk-in is about 25 minutes.

Getting there

Drive up Kloof Nek Road from Cape Town centre. At the intersection at the top where you can turn left to Table Mountain or continue down to Camps Bay. Take a right turn onto the Lion's Head/Signal Hill Road. Drive up the steep road. After about a kilometre the road flattens and you come to the first big parking area that also has a wooden guard house. This is the parking area. You will notice a steep dirt track with a boom heading up the mountain. This is your path.

New Routes

Lookout Sector

Raphelion (20) ***

The route is between Bantry Crag 32 and Hotfoot 33 in David Mercer’s guidebook and follows a pretty straight line up directly to the abseil anchors above Rainbow Crag’s rib.

First pitch: Start from the ledge left of the old lookout’s foundation below Rainbow crag. It takes the rib shown as a notable undercut white rectangular hanging block in David Mercer’s guidebook photo. To the right is an easy gully with ribs, which can be scrambled up. To the left is a yellow scoop (has been climbed/bad rock). The main rib is climbed on the left side with friction layback moves to a place on top to stand and get some gear. Then move left and up past a grass tuft to another place to stand and try to place gear for the crux awkward mantleshelf move (Warning-several small cams needed to protect this move). On the ledge above move diagonally left to a low block with a crack that provides a good belay point for Cams. Grade 20

Second pitch: climbs above the sandstone cave where you land from the abseil. (The first moves may be common with Hotfoot according to Mercer’s line and description, but I think we climbed Hotfoot further left?) In the recess are 2 cracks which form a clear V shape from below. Climb the left one, handrail right and layback up to a ledge. Then climb more or less straight up to the abseil point. Very steep, strenuous, and lichenous in places (which I hope to scrub clean eventually). Grade 19

FA: Richard Behne & Mike Scott - 7 March 2015

Above: Raphelion

Clifton Sector

Lower level (Tea Cave level)

Codgernaut (19) ****

The route starts from the Tea Cave ledge directly where the abseil comes down from the bolted anchors (between Naught For Your Comfort on the left and Aquanaut on the right).
1. 20m (19): Pull up onto the steep white face and climb directly via a pocket and a thin gear placement to the ledge above. Cross over Aquanaut (which traverses left here) and move up to below a bulge. Pull straight through the bulge and continue to the bolted anchors. Cross the huge ledge to the start of the next pitch of Clifton Crest. Pitch 2 of Codgernaut takes the face between Crest’s corner and Excaliber, which climbs the front of the Gendarme.
2. 25m (18): Move up Crest for about 2 metres, then step to the right to gain the white face just to the left of a precarious looking jutting out block. Blast straight up the middle of the face past a few rails, till you reach a deep hollowed out rail about two thirds of the way up the face. Step right and using a hollow flake, which forms the top of the rail, move up and right to gain the left edge of the Gendarme. Climb the edge on thin grips till it eases at the ledge above (this last section up the edge is shared with Excaliber). Follow either Excalber or Clifton Crest to the higher ledge and the abseil anchors.
FA: T Lourens, W Koen 15/02/14

Rainbow Strate (18) ***

Start just right of Tim Hughes's Route P1: 18. Head up the left side of a crack to an overhang. Pull diagonally up and right through the small roof the straight to grassy ledge. Walk across to the next cliff band. P2: 15. Start a bit right of the Rainbow Crag recess on a face. Up to join Rainbow Crag for a few meters then step left onto the left bulging face of the recess. Move left a meter or two and then straight up to the top.

FA: R. Halsey & R. Strate (Aug 2019)

Upper level (Grassy Terrace)

Spookies (19) ***

Start a bit left of the Rainbow Crag recess. Climb up a short layback crack, then continue straight up a vague recess and a short crank onto the face above. Up easy ground to the top.

FA: R. Halsey & R. Strate (Aug 2019)

The Cosy Kestrel (21) ***

Start a bit left of the Spookies. Climb up a short face,and then the tricky arete to the right of the corner. A strenous pull through the roof leads to easier climbing to the top.

FA: R. Halsey & R. Strate (Aug 2019)

Left to right: The Cosy Kestrel, Spookies, Rainbow Strate P2

For the following routes near Stuffed Lion, decend by walking left (facing the cliff) and scramble down to the anchors above Bantry Crag.

1. Greyscaling, 2. Black and Weight, 3. Natural Porn Thrillers, 4. Stuffed Lion, 5. Fin Fiesta, 6. The Jet Cygnet

Firefly Alley (21)***

A direct line to the left of Greyscaling.

Start ~2m right of a low roof and follow a thin crack to a ledge. Pull onto the next undercut face and up to a ledge with a large block in the middle. Head up to the right of a vegetated recess and then straight to the top.
FA: R. Halsey and F. Walters Oct 2018

Greyscaling (18) ***

Start ~5m left of Stuffed Lion, just left of a corner crack. Climb straight up the white face to a ledge. Continue straight over blocky terrain to the base of a steep, brown layback crack. After a few meters, when the crack peters out, continue straight up, and easily to the top. The lower sections of this route have surely been done before.
FA: R.Halsey & W. Gans 17/12/2012

Black and Weight (17) ***

Start up Greyscaling. At the ledge take the crack to the right of Greyscaling, then follow a curved crack. When this peters out climb straight up to the top.
FA: R.Halsey & M. Penso Jan 2015

Natural Born Thrillers (23) ***

Start on the obvious open book between Greyscaling and Stuffed Lion, which leads to a big ledge/stance. Take the crack up the clean brown wall to an overhang, pull through this and up a white face to the top. FA: S. Cunnane and W.Gans May 2015

Fin Fiesta (19) ****

Start ~4m right of Stuffed Lion directly below the centre of a roof ~10m up. Climb the short face to a ledge, step 1m left and up to a rail below the roof. (There is a loose block to the right, treat with respect). Pull through the roof using large, solid flakes over the lip to the next rail. Move up and right using an undercling and a jug to the base of a wide crack. Continue up and left to a ledge, and then over a bulge (large pocket on the left). Tend slightly right to the vague arete for a few moves, then step left and straight up to the top.
FA: R.Halsey & S. Jack 31/12/2012

The Jet Cygnet (20) ***

Start ~6m right of Stuffed Lion, just left of a bush in vague corner. P1, 20m (20). Climb up, step right over the bush and up to a ledge. Step left to a recess, then up to a white, hanging pillar. Move carefully across the pillar to the right, then up to a small roof below a short, brown face. Some tricky reaches bring you to the next roof. Pull through this on good holds, then tend left to a good ledge. Stance below a corner. This will be a grade or two harder if you are short. P2, 15m (15). Climb the crack system in the corner, near the top head left to a wide ledge.
FA: R.Halsey & W. Gans 17/12/2012

My Naut is better than your Naut (18) ***

Single pitch, 35m, bang in the middle between Cosmonaut & Aquanaut's pitches right of the Gendarme. Start 1,5m left of Aquanaut and hold the line to the ledge. From the ledge pull into the layback crack below the triangular roof 3-4m up; climb through the middle of the roof on good jugs; step left and go straight up the open book to the next roof; step out left from under the roof and go straight up, staying to the right of Cosmonaut. Hold your line up to the abseil anchors. The name came up after a debate on which knot to abseil off. FA: B.Smith, W.Boshoff & C. Philips 05/02/2013

Asteroid (23) ****

Single pitch variation right of the Gendarme. Climb Astronaut P1 to the ledge but rather than heading left up the corner crack, blast straight up the steep face above with a powerful crux dead point. At the bush on the next little ledge step ~1m left and then straight up to the bolted abseil anchor.
FA: R.Halsey & J. Hajos 21/02/2011

Relic News (19) ***

Start about 2.5m right of Dreadnaught. A tricky first move up the centre of the short square face leads to a small ledge. Continue up the next short section to a darker grey face. CLimb just left of the middle of this to a small overlap. Pull through and straight to a wide ledge. Move about 2m right and head up the left side of a whitish face. Continue up a vertical crack and a last short section to reach the big ledge.

FA: R. Halsey & T. Iliev (Jan 2018)

Headline '33 (18) ***

Start about 3m right of Relic News. Climb the corner and then step left. Pull up onto the next shelf and step back right to a crack in the darker grey rock. Follow this crack and move right to gain the next vague corner. Climb up a few meters the traverse across the face and up to the next ledge. Place gear high in the Wild Things Run Free narrow corner, but the climb the arete to the left. Continue straight up to the big ledge.

A Cape Argus Newspaper from 25 March 1933 was found shoved in the crack at the start of this route, still readable.

FA: R. Halsey & T. Iliev (Jan 2018)

Newsflash (19) ****

Start about 3m right of the Headline '33 corner. Follow the break above the boulder to a right tending series of layback flakes. At the ledge, move 2m right and climb the right side of the short faces above (do not climb the lichenous corner to the left as there is a large, loose block in the crack). Head up to the left of a large clump of grass, and then step over the grass and up a tricky recess. At the top move slightly left and then straight to the big ledge.

A direct version (20/21) starts up the next break right from the start of Newsflash. It is a better, straighter line, but if you can't reach the square two finger pocket from the ground it will be much harder

FA: R. Halsey & T. Iliev (Feb 2018)

High Glossed Over (21) ****

A direct line, that is both better and easier than it looks. Essentially climbs ~2.5m parallel to Beware the Dark Horse P2 all the way.
Start about 2m left of Beware the Dark Horse. Pull up to a short white face and over this to a ledge. (Sunset Crag crosses this little ledge and heads of left). Head straight up a thin seam in grey rock, past some good rails, then straight up a white face (between the lichen). Continue straight up to the bulge in the grey section above. Pull thought this (crux) and then finish up great holds to the top.
FA: R. Halsey & G. Bird (2016)

Left to right: Relic News, Headline '33, Newsflash (and direct), High Glossed Over.

Flight of the Commissioner (22) *****

Single pitch 35m. Plumb line between the second pitch of Beware the Dark Horse & Blueberry Hill.

Start between Beware the Dark Horse and Blueberry Hill; going up a triangular undercling on the first overlap 3m up. From the ledge, gain the blank looking face directly above and stay left of the crumbly flakes, going onto good jugs – you run it out a bit at this point (there are some micro nut placements if you have time to fiddle with gear) - the hard pull onto the face is right above good gear though, and the jugs higher up are bomber. Hold the line straight through the undercut crack system (crux) that is capped by a small triangular roof; and then onto the belay ledge – there is a threaded abseil point from which to belay. Good idea to double up on medium sized cams. FA Nic Abrahams & Craig Turvey; Feb 2015.

Lion Sedge (21) ***

Single pitch just right of Blueberry Hill. Start up a short face directly below a steep crack, which leads to a prominent sharp arete. Pull up onto the arete and climb directly to a ledge.
FA: R. Halsey 07/10/11

Simbarama (22) *****

Single pitch just right of Simba Serendipity P2 (which follows the line to the left of the roof). Climb straight up to the middle on the long thin overhang (can stand on a ledge to the right). Pull through roof to thin rail (aliens useful) and up excellent crack. Climb the central of three columns stemming left at one stage to reach a rail.
FA: R. Halsey 05/11/10

Feel Ion (23) ***

Start 5m left of Juggernaut P2. Straight up to small ledge. Move right into short, bottomless corner (tricky) and then straight up face and steep prow to ledge. Small cam useful for the crux.
FA: R. Halsey 18/05/11

Night Puff (21) ***

Start 3m left of Juggernaut P2. Use a short, undercut face to gain the rail. Tend left and up through a steep blocky section to below a roof. Pull straight through the roof just right of the crack (sneaky undercling) to a left leaning ramp and short open book above. Easy ground up to ledge.
FA: R.Halsey & M. Griffiths 17/3/2011

From left: Simbarama (22), Feel Ion (23) and Night Puff (21)
Descent: Scramble off to the right, either to the tree abseil or continue further to the main path.

Alpha Female (19) ***

Start to the right of Juggernaut up a crack system that moves up and slightly right across the steep face to join the Y-shaped recess on Cat’s Pyjamas. Head straight up the face above, then a short arête and then a final bungle with an intermittent crack on the right hand side. Scramble up to the big ledge. Abseil point to the left.

FA: R. Halsey (Jan 2018)

Panthera (24?) ****

Start up the break left of Mane Course and pull right onto the shelf. Climb the open book to the roof. Continue up the steep, flaring crack above to the next roof. Reach straight over the roof to find good holds (and small cams for gear). From here, a funky but difficult crux sequence leads right and then up onto the face above. [There is a key, large flake under the roof, which seems solid, but treat it with respect]. Continue straight up to the ledge with a small tree. On the left side of the ledge climb straight up the right hand side of two short faces to the big ledge. Abseil point to the left. Consensus grading needed.

FA: R. Halsey (Jan 2018)

From left: Alpha Female (19) and Panthera (24?). White "!" is the flake that seems solid, but should be used with care.

Mane Course (25) ****

Excellent single pitch located on the Gendarme level vegetated band, near the start of Cat's Pyjamas. Almost 5 star.
Start up a short crack and then a short face to first roof - pull through (tricky) to a rest below the second roof. Hard moves at the lip lead leftward to a rail and then up to a small ledge with a bush. Up easily to big ledge.

FA: R. Halsey 05/11/10

Pride Breaker (24) ***

Takes the steep crack to the right of Mane Course.
Starting on some large boulders, follow the crack through a tricky, thin corner to the roof. Gain the next good hand rail and tackle the humbling crack to the big roof. Traverse a metre right and up into a recess. Step back left and follow a vague arete easily to the big ledge.

FA: R. Halsey 21/11/11

Godsend (23) ***

The project listed in the guide book on pg 51.
Start about 3m right of Pride Breaker and climb straight up to a good break in the slanted roof. Stretch or dyno to a flake (which flexes but seems solid enough) on the lip, tend slightly right then straight up easily to big ledge.
Concensus grading needed - probably easier if you are tall.

FFA: R. Halsey 04/12/10

From left: Mane Course (25), Pride Breaker (24) and Godsend (23).
Either walk off to the right or abseil from tree anchor to the left.

Tortillus (21?) ****

Follows a direct line between Druggernaut and Taut Naut. Climb the oblique corner to the roof. Pull right and then contort yourself up the short, smooth, bottomless corner to some wide rails. Use the projecting fin to pull up and left to the final steep face and finish up Druggernaut. Consensus grading needed.
FA: R. Halsey Dec 2017

Left to Right: Druggernaut, Tortillus, Taut Naut

Far Right

This small crag is best approached from Wally's Cave. Continue from the cave on the path toward the Clifton Sector and turn up to your right. From the top ledge either walk left towards Clifton Sector to a tricky scramble down, or climb higher up and walk off. If other ascents are known, please edit.

Timon (~15) **

Climb the thinner crack on the left.
You can use standard sport rope. This nook is in shade when the rest of the crag is in the sun. Scramble up a few meters then walk left to access Clifton tea cave level.

FA: C. Tooze, M.Moolman & B. Watts May 2017

Pumbaa (~17) ***

Climb the wider crack on the right.
You can use standard sport rope. This nook is in shade when the rest of the crag is in the sun. Scramble up a few meters then walk left to access Clifton tea cave level.

FA: C. Tooze, M.Moolman 05/06/2017

Opening of 'Pumbaa'; Photo by M. Moolman

Whale Tale (14) *

Start by laybacking over a large block. Continue up and to the left of some looseish blocks (take care!!). Finish up the vague corner to the left.

FA: M. Penso & R. Halsey Nov 2016

Lycra Velcro (16) **

Follow a recess passing a bush. Follow the crack, and then the face left of the big succulent. Step back right to the crack under the large grass tuft. Follow the crack and exit to right of climbers friend bush on top.

FA: R. Halsey & M. Penso Nov 2016

Nine Inch Ale (15) ***

Follow the crack line all the way, to the left of the wide recess in the orange wall.

FA: R. Halsey & M. Penso Nov 2016

From left: Whale Tale, Lycra Velcro, Nine Inch Ale

Above Wally's Cave

The Time Wasp (22/23) ****

Surprisingly good, and tricksy.
Climbs the wall and arête to the right ofAnd the Living is Eas. Follow the rib to the wide rail, Hard moves onto the face above lead to rails. Continue up the arête (flakes on the face to the left are loose). Small cams useful higher up.
FA: R. Halsey (2016)

Tipsy Twittering (21) *

Written for sake of completion. Not recommended.
Just right of The Time Wasp is a face with a small roof a few meters up. Climb beneath the middle of the face to a roof. Realize it is too hard to go direct and use holds on the right to be able to step left over the roof onto the face. Make a gripping traverse up and left (with nasty fall potential) to the arête, which is climbed easily to the top. Gets one star for the funky traverse moves.
FA: R. Halsey & G. Bird (2016)

From left: The Time Wasp, Tipsy Twittering

Sunny Side Up (13) ***

Just past the South-East arête (Pitch#2) on the Clifton side. Start up a nice hand crack and then follow a vague arete to the top.
FA: R. Halsey (2016)

Power Struggle Area

An area on the lowest and largest band on upper Lion's Head facing Table Mountain. At the Camps Bay end is the large Wally's Cave. Most easily approached by taking the standard route up the mountain to the first chains at the large pines. Then take the signposted Recommended Route towards Camps Bay. Ten metres before reaching the crest overlooking Camps Bay head downslope to the top of the face and abseil down 20 metres. (Used to be called Wally’s Cave Sector).

Routes are described from left to right.

1 - Heatwave 25m (12) */**

FA: Dave Mercer, A. Wienand 2007

1a - Vein Enthusiast (15) ***

Start between Heatwave and Boris the Bullet Dodger. Pull onto the face and at the small overlap step left then up easily to a ledge. Climb the face above between the crack lines. FA: R. Halsey & M. Bosman Sept 2016

BBD - Boris The Bullet Dodger (15) **

20m Natural - The route follows the obvious crack line a few meters left of Cold War. Pull straight through the bulge (a little strenuous) below the vertical crack higher up. Continue straight up the crack to the top. FA: Arno van der Heever & Willem Boshoff 17 February 2012

1b - Garden Variety (16) ***

Start between Boris the Bullet Dodger and Cold War. Pull onto the wall by some vertical side pulls. At the small roof, step left then up between some large stacked blocks. Head up the light grey face on good holds to the top. This is just left of a darker, narrow, square recess. FA: R. Halsey & M. Bosman Sept 2016

2 - Cold War (16)

20m Natural - This unremarkable route lies a few metres to the left of Power Struggle. Ascend the broken recess to the left of the prominent overhanging prow. Towards the top a slightly harder variation to the right ascends a clean and steep corner. Finish at the Power Struggle platform. FA: Alan Ross & Hilton Davies, 5 February 2008. Variation by David Mercer, 8 February 2008.

2a - Power Play (21) ***

Start just left of Power Struggle, and follow two, white stacked aretes on the left of the face. Head right to the first roof. Pull through on the left into a vague recess, just left of where 'Power Struggle' pulls through. Continue up to an undercling flake at the base of the white face above. Pull out right and boldly follow the white arête to the top. The boulder on top wobbles, so railing left or right a foot below the top is safer. FA: R. Halsey & M. Penso Nov 2016

3 - Power Struggle (23) ****

20m Natural - This interesting and quite hard route ascends the face directly below the only prominent overhanging prow. Move directly up and through two sets of overhangs on strenuous and gymnastic moves using large cams for protection. End at a nice platform. Originally the route had 2 pitons which were removed in 2010, after consensus that the route could be adequately protected. FA: Hilton Davies, 8 February 2008

4 - Kalashnikov (18) ****

20m Natural - This good route lies five metres to the right of Power Struggle and forms a straight line on the side of the prominent overhanging nose. With a tricky start through a small overhang ascend the face directly below the right side of the prominent overhanging prow. Halfway up step left onto the prow and ascend the shallow recess and steep top section to finish at the Power Struggle platform. Originally the route had 2 pitons which were removed in 2010, after consensus that the route could be adequately protected. FA: Alan Ross & Hilton Davies, 5 February 2008

Power Couple (18) ***

Start up Kalashnikov but then head up and left to underneath a narrow roof. Pull through and then up the left side of short white face.

FA: R. Halsey & R. Strate (Aug 2019)

Rolling Moon (17) ***

Start to the right of Kalashnikov. Pull up into a short right facing corner and up to brown rock. Follow two layback cracks to the top.

FA: R. Halsey, R. Strate & I. Pelser (Aug 2019)

L>R, Power Couple, Rolling Moon

5 - Heavy Breather 25m (16) ***

FA: Dave Mercer, C. Turvey July 2007

Cloud Number 39 (17) ***

Between Heavy Breather and Poke in the Eye are is a narrow inset face with a crack on each side. Follow the left crack and then straight to the top.

FA: R. Halsey, R. Strate & I. Pelser (Aug 2019)

Eight Eighteen (21) ***

Between Heavy Breather and Poke in the Eye are is a narrow inset face with a crack on each side. Follow the right crack to a bron patch of rock. Continue staight past one blocky overlap to a second overlap. Pull through and step right to finish up the grey face.

FA: R. Halsey, R. Strate & I. Pelser (Aug 2019)

L>R, Cloud Number 39, Eight Eighteen

6 - Windy Block 20m (14) *

FA: Johann Papendorf, 2010/07/03

7 - Poke in the Eye 20m (15) **

FA: Phlip Olivier, 2010/07/03

8 - The Inspirer 20m (16) ***½

Start at a grey easy looking face. Climb the face to a ledge. Continue up to a brown bulgy section, then move slightly left to the base of a corner. Layback and stem up the corner to the top. FA: Jan Fischer, Riaan Vorster, Tony Lourens, 24/11/2011

9 - Feathered Delight 20m (16) ***

FA: Johann Papendorf, 2010/07/03

10 - Uncle Albert 20m (15) ***

Start beneath an undercut, clean white face with two cracks running up it. A strenuous, but well protected start leads to some crack climbing. Continue up and slight left up clean rock to the top. FA: Willie Koen, Tony Lourens, 2010

11 - Rodney 20m (16) ***

Start just around the corner to the right of Uncle Albert and to the left of a flakey crack. A bouldery (and slightly runout) start up the smooth brown face leads to a roof. Layback through the roof and continue up, keeping more or less on the crest of the blunt arête, to the top. Great climbing. Variation: Instead of the bouldery face in the beginning, the flakey crack on the right can be climbed, then move left at the roof to carry on through the layback. This is easier, with plenty of gear, but the flakes sound a little hollow. FA: Tony Lourens, Riaan Vorster, Jan Fischer, 24/11/2011

11A - Skink Inc. (18) ***

Climb a direct line up the face (steep start) to the right of Rodney.
FA: R. Halsey 02/02/2012

12 - Silke 25m (12) */**

Start to the right of a block roughly midway between Rodney and Ayoba. Climb on top of the block then climb diagonally right across the ledgey wall, past some loose blocks, to gain a deep crack on the right. Climb this to the top. FA: Riaan Vorster, Warren Mayers, Tony Lourens, August 2011

13 - Ayoba 20m (22)

Starts as per Political Solution. After 5m break diagonally left over the blank face to the far left rails. Follow the thin crack to the top. A committing lead as the first gear is about 10 metres up. FA: Phlip Olivier, 2010/07/03

14 - Political Solution 20m (16)

This route lies about midway between Power Struggle and the large pines at the first hiking path chains. It is easily observed from the car park as it is the crack between the appealing orange face to its left and a black face to its right. This nondescript route has one redeeming feature - it gives a great close up view of the orange face of Ayoba. Ascend the open book formed by the orange and black faces into an incomplete crack. Move directly up to a tricky finish onto the ledge above. Belay from the large boulders. FA: Karl Hayden, Lawrence 'Batch' Batchelor, David Mercer & Hilton Davies, 8 February 2008

15 - Luvely Jubbly 20m (17) ***½

Start on a block beneath a prominent roof to the right of the black rock to the right of Political Solution. Step off the block and up to the roof. Pull through on the right on good holds past two perfect rails. Move up the blunt seam, then continue up clean rock to the top. Awesome route! FA: Tony Lourens, Riaan Vorster, August 2011

15a - Creekers (16) ***

From the block left of the start of The Craving, pull onto and straight up the clean, white face to the left of the crack on The Craving.
FA: R. Halsey 02/02/2012

15b Yellow Canary 20m (13) ****

Start as for the craving, but move left out onto the face. Move up, crossing Creekers and finish up the layback crack to the top. FA: Tony Lourens, Willie Koen, 25/03/2012

16 - The Craving 20m (18) ****

Start behind a large dead tree to the right of the low roof to the right of Luvely Jubbly. Climb the corner, then layback to the base of the top crack. Climb this (tricky) to the top. Great route! FA: Jan Fischer, Tony Lourens, 6/11/2011

17 - Plonker’s Paradise 20m (14) ***

Start up the next break to the right of The Craving. Climb the corner, then tend right to the base of a crack. Layback up this to the top. FA: Tony Lourens, Jan Fischer, 6/11/2011

Power Struggle Area - image by Tony Lourens

Power Struggle-Political Solution Area

From left: Cold War, Power Play, Power Struggle

Power Struggle-Political Solution Area

Power Struggle-Political Solution Area Photo: 1. Windy Block (14), 2. Poke in the Eye (15), 3. Feathered Delight (16), 4. Ayoba (22), 5. Political Solution (16).

Geo-Cache Sector

Superstition (22R)

A meter right of the route After Taxes is a juggy crack. Climb this, pull through a small overhang and head straight through the middle of the somewhat blank-looking face above.
NOTE: This is a bold route to lead. Small cams recommended.
FA: Guy Paterson-Jones, 6 April 2011

Fly Bye (19) ***

Climb a direct line up the face directly between Come take a Trip in My Air-Ship and Drive on.
FA: R. Halsey & T. Dunnett 25/11/2011

Johnny Cache (22)

Directly in between Folsom Prison Blues and Pounce. Start up the undercut face on thin rails and head up directly to the large roof. Proceed through the roof for about 2m using the thin vertical finger crack in it. Cut loose and head up the splitter crack directly above. Continue up faces to the top. FA: Hilton Davies, 11 February 2009

Johnny Cache Wimp-out (18)

As for Johnny Cache but bypass the roof to the right, rejoining directly above. FA: Steve Pinfield & Hilton Davies, 11 February 2009

Felix (19)

A few metres right of Kitty-Cat is a fairly big coffin roof a few metres off the ground. The route heads up and through this roof then up slabs and faces to the top. FA: Steve Pinfield & Hilton Davies, 11 February 2009

Scratch Pole (15) ***

Immediately to the right of Felix is an obvious recess. The route proceeds directly up this fault to the top. FA: Steve Pinfield & Hilton Davies, 11 February 2009

Birthday Challenge (22R) ***

Start up Feline for a few moves then step right and arc up the face to a ledge. Straight up to the roof. Pull through the roof (minimal gear) and straight to top.

FA: R. Halsey & R. Strate (Aug 2019)

Cougar (16) **

Start ~4m right of Feline. Head up the ramp to the vague, blunt arete.

FA: R. Halsey & R. Strate (Aug 2019)

Swindled Swoon (22) ***

Start halfway between Drive on and Egg-Sucking Dog. Climb straight up to a long horizontal undercling and then straight though the slight roof to a pocket on the face. Pull up, and tend slightly left, staying just left of the crack at the top.

FA: R. Halsey 21/11/11

Swindled Swoon (22)

Bender Blender (22) ****

The arête right of Junkie and Juicehead. Climb the face directly below the arete, at the roof traverse 1m left and then follow the arched, undercling crack to the arete. Straight to the top.
FA: R.Halsey 19/08/2011

Bender Blender (22)
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Fees Must Fall (16) ***

About 1.5m to the right of Luther Plays the Boogie is an obvious layback crack. Climb the crack to an overhanging block; go up on the right side of the block to the big roof. Traverse left and swing around the corner; then go up an obvious break. One can climb straight up at the overhanging block for an easier and lower quality route.

FA Unknown; named Oct 2015 (please change the wiki if the route has been named before)

The Man Comes Around (20)

The route starts on a face 2m right of "Luther Played The Boogy", and heads slightly right to a fault in an over lap. Ascend left facing crack before dancing right under the roof to big holds then up to the friendliest natural anchor one could ask for.

FA W. Gans & A. Hills 11/11/11

Mean Eyed Pussy-Cat (22) *****

This route is a variation of Mean Eyed Cat and follows the line under the second roof towards the right (instead of simply exiting on the left and straight up). It offers superb and sustained roof climbing with great exposure as the slab used for feet turns vertical and drops away towards the end of the roof. The cam placings in the roof split offers good protection; exit the roof on good side-pull flakes and climb up and slightly right to a biggish head of rock over which slings can be hung for anchors. There are also several smaller placings just below the head which can be used for protection or as part of the anchor set-up.

FA: L. Flemming 14/04/2013

Cached Out (24) ***

Start on the undercut face right of Mean Eyed Cat. A series of small holds (and even smaller gear) takes you to the base of a small hanging arete/buttress. follow this to the obvious crack that is the end of Mean Eyed Pussy-Cat. Fun Line!

FA: S Cunnane and W Gans, winter 2016

Cache's King (27)

Starts 3-4m right of Mean Eyed Cat (about 1.5m right of the tip of the Geo-Cache Cave). The route diligently follows a fault from a left facing prow on the lip, all the way to the fault's termination at the top of the crag. Climb through the first roof, then head straight up beneath a larger roof above. Reach through this to some good holds in a rail above, about 1m left of the end of that roof. Stand up on the lip and continue following the fault to the top. This route is most likely impossible for dwarfs. Note: A 0.5 Camalot or equivalent is useful for the rail over the second roof.
FA: W. Gans 09/06/2012

Hung My Head (23)

Starting 2-3m right of Cash's is a vague fault below the open book right of Cash's. A powerful start takes one to the open book & on to the top.

FA: W.Gans 2012

Billing Blues (20)

20m: Climbs the seam on the wall between “Hung my Head” and “No Charge”.
Start: Climb the awkward start of “No Charge”.
At the cubby-hole, move left and up through a narrow roof, pick up the thin seam on steepish wall to the top.
FA: D. van Zyl, B. Daniel, T. Dick (4/9/2013)

Billing Blues Direct (22)

Instead of starting on No Charge start about 2m left on at the overlap with the undercling lip. Pull through this to a thin rail, then dead straight until you join BB at the small fin/open book. Don't wimp out and use the big holds on the left, they belong to Hang My Head: There is a whole sequence of beautiful subtle moves on that section! If you are cunning with small gear there is pro in the first 5m, however it may be easier to just solo until the hard stuff is over. Route may be harder for the shorties, but probably better too. FA: W. Gans April 2015

Cash Connection (19) ****

Start a metre left of Orphan of the Road and climb up to a deep, horizontal slot. Tend slightly left toward the steep, reddish rock higher up, and then straight up.
FA: R.Halsey 26/08/2011

Dome Picking (19) ***

A squeeze between Cash Connection and Orphan of the Road Start up Cash Connection and step right to pull past left side of low, small, square roof. Follow a vague seam, which is left and parallel to the Orphan of the Road crack. A tad run out. From the ledge straight to top.

FA: R. Halsey & R. Strate (Aug 2019)

Grit-Slide (24R) ***

Climbs the fairly blank, orange wall right of Orphan of the Road. Start near the centre of the face, pull up to a rail and traverse 1m left. Follow a narrow crack to a pocket, traverse right on crimps and then up to the vague crack above.
Note: A slider-nut can be placed just above the pocket, but it is marginal and so does not eliminate the possibility of a ground fall from the end of the crux sequence.
FA: R.Halsey 27/08/2011

Cash Connection (19) and Grit-Slide (24R)
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White Face Sector

Gone with the Wind (22)

Starts about 10m right of the White Face pitch on the level of the Geo Cache Sector, below and just right of a corner with an ominous looking block hanging in the ceiling.

P1, 25m (18)

Start up the crack in the short face to a small overlap. Pull through on the right and then rail left to the corner. Move carefully upwards to a rail heading out left (this is below the hanging block in the roof). Traverse left and use a pointed foot prong to pull over the bulge (DO NOT USE THE SUSPENDED BLOCK IN THE ROOF). Continue up to the wide ledge finishing on the last few moves of White Face.

Walk across the ledge to the base of a vague arete about 5m left of Wailing Wall P2.

P2, 45m (22) Climb the arete and up to a short face. Negotiate this and then pull up on the left side of the roof. Continue up to easier ground. At a ledge step left onto a featured rock over a small overlap. Continue straight up towards a narrow corner capped by a thin roof. Exit ont he right side of the roof and up to the vegetated ledge.

There is an abseil point 5m right from a tree and touch point.

FA: R. Halsey & G. Bird

Red: Gone with the Wind, Yellow: White Face, Blue: Rumpelstiltskin.
Original image from Cape Peninsula Select by Tony Lourens (with permission)

Next two routes start on the rock band where the upper pitches of White Face are found.

Duly Noted, (17)

Pitch 1: 15m, 17: 3m right of Wailing Wall P2 and 2m left of the main fault up White Face is a break running straight to a roof. Take the break before stepping left 1.5m further under the roof and ascending over a triangular crack in the roof. After 4m of easy ground stance on a comfortable ledge. Pitch 2: 25m, 15: start on a right facing flake and proceed up, climbing an open book above a large cubby which is part of Wailing Wall. Continue straight up until being greeted at the top is a small tree.

The route was opened as a single, long pitch. FA: W Gans, 14/10/2012

Salty Sea Lion (±20)

P1. ±19m (Grade ±20, Consensus requ.): Start ±5m right of the start of pitch 3 (As per D. Mercer book) of White Face. Climb the short brown face and pull up thru the roof to a cubby hole. Tend 2m right and continue up a layback, step left and climb diagonally right to a large platform. If the layback proves too difficult a variation to the left is about 3 grades easier.

P2. ±23m (Grade ±17, Consensus requ.): Start where the ledge peters out on the right. Climb the right leaning ramp and pass a few rails heading for the prominent V-Groove. Move thru this and tend right thru steep sections to the sml corner. An abseil awaits at the ledge above the corner. Abseil or scramble to top-out.
FA: C. Tooze & M. Moolman, 23/02/2017


M.Moolman on the variation of Salty Sea Lion (P1) - Image by Brain Watts

Aloe Cave Area

Trachylepis (17)**

Start 3m right of Rumpelstiltskin. Good climbing, but rather lichenous. Follow the shallow corner to the roof. Step left and pull through a series of rails tending slightly left until the angle eases. Finish on the broad ledge.

FA: R. Halsey Dec 2017

El Gato ± 20m (Grade ±17, Consensus requ.)

Half way between Rumplestiltskin and the Aloe cave is a large open book. Climb the layback (corner) for a few meters (strenuous/ awkward), then follow the break aiming for a small corner further up , another layback tops you out at at a very scenic medium size & vegetated belay ledge, stance here then 'B' scramble to the top, alternatively don't stance and climb 10M further to the top, less scenic, less coms. but safer.
FA: C. Tooze & L. Griessen, 09/11/2015

Shamba (17)**

An aesthetic, short face to the right of the first pitch of Simba. Unfortunately one needs to end with some scrambling to get to the walk off ledge. Can descend easy via the B-Route about 40m to the right.

FA: R. Halsey Dec 2017

Double Dassie (19)***

Climb the blunt arete to the right of Lookout. At the small ledge, pull up onto the fin (sounds hollow, but seems solid) and move strenuosly up and slightly right. Finish up the ramp to the broad ledge.

FA: R. Halsey Dec 2017