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Wilgepoort Guide

A Crag Guide gives an extensive view of all sub areas and climbs at a point in the index. It shows a snapshot of the index heirachy, up to 300 climbs (or areas) on a single web page. It shows selected comments climbers have made on a recently submitted ascent.

At a minor crag level this should be suitable for printing and taking with you on a climbing trip as an adjunct to your guidebook.

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Rock climbing is extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury or death. Users acting on any information directly or indirectly available from this site do so at their own risk.

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Contributors

Thanks to the following people who have contributed to this crag guide:

Marc dM Ken Thrash Cormac Tooze Murray Buchanan Andre van den Berg Ale Stefan Marcel de Beer

The size of a person's name reflects their Crag Karma, which is their level of contribution. You can help contribute to your local crag by adding descriptions, photos, topos and more.

Table of contents

1. Wilgepoort 83 routes in Crag

Summary:
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Seasonality

Mostly Trad climbing

Lat / Long: -25.630262, 29.001615

description

This venue offer multipitch trad climbing, limited deep water solo and a very few sport routes.

access issues

For more information on routes, access and permits please see the following websites:

Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) http://www.mcsa.org.za/ Look at “Who we are” for the different sections of the MCSA

Mountain Club of South Africa – Johannesburg Section website https://mcsajohannesburg.org/ Click on “Access and Properties” for more information Click on “Contact” to get in touch with the MCSA for more information.

ClimbZA website http://www.climbing.co.za/wiki/South_African_Climbing_Wiki Welcome to the largest & most comprehensive online database of Southern African climbing information.

http://www.climbing.co.za/forum/ A forum site to find climbing partners or to find out more about different climbing areas and climbs.

where to stay

There is a camping spot with a long drop but no other facilities, no electricity nor water.

ethic

There are Verreaux's Eagles (Black Eagles) using a nesting site on the main Crag, and another on the Pillar of Eros.

During breeding season (April to August) it is restricted to climb routes close to the nests. The closure extent is clearly marked on the information pannel at the entry gate and updated every year.

1.1. The Broad Gully 23 routes in Cliff

Summary:
All Trad climbing

Lat / Long: -25.628108, 29.005469

RouteGradeStyleSelected ascents
1 Grater

The main feature of this climb is a jamming crack situated to the left of a broken shallow recess.

  1. Climb left handjamming crack in corner to ledge and tree belay.

  2. Step up right and around corner and climb jamming crack to below small overhang, climb out left then ascend crack to ledge.

  3. Ascend broken face to below final rock wall then traverse left for approximately 7m to recess and stance.

  4. Climb up into recess and hand-traverse right across hanging slab on face for 4m. Climb diagonally right to tree belay. Scramble to top.

FA: Jerry Linke, Eckhart Druschke & Romey Druschke, 1977

19 Trad 85m, 4
2 Deepheat
  1. Straddle a layback open book to tree (10 metres). Climb past tree as high as possible. Traverse right into shallow recess using 1 sling for aid. Continue traverse right to sloping ledge and chock belay

  2. Climb crack above stance to top of block. Tension traverse 4m right into recess. Follow recess (crack) to large ledge.

  3. Walk left 6m along ledge and climb this face to another ledge. Walk right past Naboom to end of ledge and ascend recess to tree belay

  4. Climb face 2m left of open book (which has chockstone and hornets nest halfway up) to large tree.

FA: Romey Stapley, Romey Druschke & Eckhart Druschke, 1977

18 A0 Trad 98m, 4
3 Stuck-A-Tack

FA: Romey Stapley, Eckhart Druschke & Romey Druschke, 1976

17 Trad 90m
4 Sardine Run

FA: Eckhart Druschke, Romey Druschke & Jerry Linke, 1977

18 Trad 130m
5 Scary Monsters

FA: Michael Cartwright, K. Smith & Stewart Middlemiss, 1987

23 Trad 85m
6 Hotplate

FA: P. Solar, B. Naude, J. Winkler & A. Koster, 1968

11 Trad 100m
7 Hot House / Ignoto

FA: Eckhart Druschke & Jerry Linke, 1977

19 Trad 90m
8 Ouink

FA: Eckhart Druschke & Jerry Linke, 1975

17 Trad 100m
9 Ouink - Pyromania variation

Off-width instead of Ouink's open books

FA: Dean van der Merwe & David Mitchell, 6 Jul 2014

17 Trad 120m, 5
10 Hidden Sting

FA: Romey Druschke, Eckhart Druschke & Jerry Linke, 1977

18 A0 Trad 80m
11 Oh Boy!

FA: Kevin Kruger & Mark Giddy, 1983

18 Trad 90m
12 Dilution

FA: K. Kroger, D. Steenkamp, E. Lubbe & D. Lubbe, 1968

11 Trad
13 Fireball

FA: Eckhart Druschke, Jerry Linke & Romey Stapley, 1976

18 Trad 150m
14 Irish Stew

FA: Stewart Middlemiss & Adele Margetts, 1986

18 Trad 60m
15 Australopithecus Robustus

FA: Stewart Middlemiss & Tarquin Holt, 1987

20 Trad 45m
16 On Any Sunday

FA: Ken Thrash & Chris Ziranek, Mar 2016

21 A0 Trad 50m, 2
17 New Generation

FA: Michael Cartwright & Cathy O'Dowd, 1989

23 Trad 40m
18 Australopithecus Robotix

FA: Stewart Middlemiss & Tarquin Holt, 1987

20 Trad 75m
19 A Column for Nelson

FA: Russ Dodding & Heather Murch, 1999

18 Trad 42m
20 A Perfect Day

FA: Ken Thrash, Chris Ziranek & Paul Fatti, Nov 2014

19 Trad 40m, 2
21 Independence Day

FA: Russ Dodding & Heather Murch, 1999

20 Trad 40m
22 Squeeze 'N Squirm

FA: J. Pipich, E. Lubbe & D. Lubbe, 1968

13 Trad 120m
23 Drip 'N Drag

FA: D. Steenkamp, K. Kroger, J. Schoeman, J. Austin, E. Lubbe & D. Lubbe, 1968

13 Trad 120m

1.2. Main Crag 46 routes in Cliff

Summary:
All Trad climbing

Lat / Long: -25.628815, 29.004214

RouteGradeStyleSelected ascents
1 Generation Gap

FA: H. Boshoff, J. Schooling, K. Kroger & D. Lubbe, 1973

15 Trad 120m
2 Gemini

FA: J. Mosman, J. Vorster, A. Klette & K. Kroger, 1968

15 Trad 120m
3 Sweet Little Mystery

FA: Mark Seuring & Claire Keeton, 1996

19 Trad 75m
4 Idem Dole

the name means "I'm falling off!" in Slovak

FA: J. Pipich & K. Kroger, 1969

17 Trad 100m
5 Toothache

FA: K. Kroger, K. Dauter, E. Meyer & D. Lubbe, 1968

18 Trad 130m
6 Toothpaste

FA: Jerry Linke, T. Hoy & J. Bullock, 1974

16 Trad 120m
7 The Mangler

FA: Kevin Smith, Andrew Smith & Michelle Mears, 1980

21 Trad 75m

2018-19 Eagle sector

A pair of Verreaux Eagles (black eagles) is nesting and had chicks in the nest in 2018! Same nesting site reused in 2019. The climbing is restricted between Mcfats LGP and Bottleneck Bulge.

9 Mcfat's Lgp

FA: Paul Fatti & Art McGarr, 1971

19 Trad 90m
10 Rockin Me Gently

FA: John Brown & Campbell Cairns, 1981

20 Trad 75m
11 Corpuscle

FA: Eckhart Druschke & Jerry Linke, 1975

19 Trad 80m
12 Van Der Merwe's Crack

FA: .V. Richter, N. Margetts, L. J. Richter & D. Margetts, 1984

17 Trad 100m
13 Hanepoot

FA: H. Boshoff, G. Graafland & C. Malherbe, 1974

17 Trad 160m
14 Vintage 48

FA: Paul Fatti & Gordon Erens, 1991

21 Trad 90m
15 Madeira

FA: K. Kroger, A. Koster, E. Meyer & D. Lubbe, 1968

16 Trad 150m
16 Wise Crack

FA: Paul Schlotfeldt & Russ Dodding, 1985

21 Trad 35m
17 Continental

FA: J. Pupich, P. Solar, E. Lubbe & D. Lubbe, 1968

16 Trad 130m
18 Sesame

FA: J. du Plessis & D. Lubbe, 1966

14 Trad 130m
19 C'est L'escalade

FA: K.M. Smith, 1988

25 Trad 25m
20 Bottleneck Bulge

FA: K. Kroger, D. Steenkamp, E. Lubbe & D. Lubbe, 1968

16 Trad 120m

2018-19 Eagle sector End

A pair of Verreaux Eagles (black eagles) is nesting and had chicks in the nest in 2018! Same nesting site reused in 2019.

22 Muscadel Crack

FA: K. Kroger & D. Lubbe, 1968

17 Trad 140m
23 Cabernet - Muscadel Rap route
  1. Off the tree a the top of Bottleneck Bulge

  2. off large U-bolt

  3. off large U-bolt

  4. off large U-bolt

With 50m ropes, the last 3 raps can be combined as 2

Set: Clive Curson, 1994

Trad
24 Jesd

FA: Jerry Linke, Eckhart Druschke & Romey Druschke, 1977

19 Trad 95m
25 JESD Direct

FA: Hector Pringle, Andrew Porter & Warren Gans, 2013

23 Trad 50m
26 The Grips of Wrath

FA: Russ Dodding, 1995

21 Trad 25m
27 Cabernet

FA: H. Graafland & H. Boshoff, 1974

18 Trad 120m
28 Johnny Walker

FA: Hector Pringle & Andrew Porter, 2013

24 Trad 20m
29 Witblitz

FA: Paul Fatti, Russ Dodding & Gordon Erens, 1993

22 Trad 100m
30 Crankenstein

FA: Russ Dodding, 1995

23 Trad 25m
31 That Furry Thing

FA: George Mallory & Charles Edelstein, 1987

21 Trad 110m
32 The Key

FA: K. Smith, 1982

21 Trad 120m, 7
33 Hot Rod

FA: Craig de Villiers & Tim Dunnett, 2013

18 Trad 60m, 2
34 Dancing on a Highwire

FA: K.M. Smith, George Mallory & Charles Edelstein, 1985

24 Trad 100m, 5
35 Some Like It Hot

FA: 1975

FFA: A. Smith & K. Smith, 1979

20 Trad 120m
36 Let It Be

FA: Jerry Linke, Eckhart Druschke & Romey Druschke, 1975

19 Trad 110m
37 Group-Grope

FA: Dave Cheesmond & Chris Lomax, 1979

20 Trad
38 Walking on Air

FA: J. Brown, I. Slatem & D. Young, 1986

20 Trad 78m
39 Shisa

FA: Alan Lambert & Charles Edelstein, 1983

20 Trad 75m
40 Gang-Bang

FA: Chris Lomax & Dave Cheesmond, 1979

21 Trad
41 Reluctance

FA: I. McLachlan & M. Makowski, 1968

18 Trad 140m
42 All-Spice

FA: Art McGarr & Paul Fatti, 1974

22 Trad 170m
43 American Werewolf

FA: L. Chambers & Tarquin Holt, 1982

22 Trad 70m
44 Tassenberg

FA: Art McGarr & Paul Fatti, 1975

20 Trad 80m
45 Mature Wine

FA: Paul Fatti & Russ Dodding, 1989

20 Trad 70m
46 Brazilian Bandit

FA: Eckhart Druschke & Jerry Linke, 1975

19 Trad 75m
47 Cockrobin

FA: Jerry Linke & Clive Ward, 1975

16 A2 Trad 85m
48 Naboom Nuisance

FA: D. Steenkamp, E. Meyer & D. Lubbe, 1968

13 Trad

1.3. The Pillar of Eros 2 routes in Crag

Summary:
All Trad climbing

Lat / Long: -25.633810, 28.996800

approach

Descent off the Pillar of Eros (aka The Western crag) is via rapping off trees.

ethic

A pair of Black eagles nest on top of the pillar, so avoid climbing there during the Black Eagle Nesting season (April to Mid- November)

RouteGradeStyleSelected ascents
1 Arrow of Eros

FA: Jerry Linke, Eckhart Druschke & Romey Druschke, 1974

17 A2 Trad 120m
2 Pillar of Eros

FA: . Dawson, P. Norton, C. Sherlock, T. Hoy & M. Asher, 1973

15 Trad 75m

1.4. Test Area 5 routes in Cliff

Summary:
All Sport climbing

Lat / Long: -25.626688, 29.005803

description

A large grassy ledge give access to a rock face high above the river. Access to the ledge via 2 consecutive routes.

approach

After the access cable to the trad area : look left from the tree the cable is tied on.

RouteGradeStyleSelected ascents
1 Easier Than it Looked

first Access part to the Shelf ledge. Follows a stone ramp left of the end of the cable used to access the trad area.

FA: T. Botha & Andrew Louw, 5 Oct 2014

13 Sport 15m, 3
2 Expectations

Second access part to the Shelf ledge. Note that this route is over-bolted to allow a beginner to gain the easier multi pitch routes from The Shelf. If clipping the first bolt, extend it to prevent rope drag.

Split in 2 pitches to allow sight on the second(s) when belaying on top.

FA: Andrew Louw, 4 Oct 2014

16 Sport 29m, 2, 13
3 Misgis
  1. 25m 15 (8D, A) Follow the easiest line that leads a slight bit to the right and to the start of a vertical wall. Follow easily a little bit to your left. (The wind and water is loud, communicate clearly)

  2. 15m 13 (4D, A) Step to the right and climb up the corner (crux) for a few easy moves. Just below the slab, pick a line that will get you traversing a little bit to the right and the chains. (The wind and water is loud, communicate clearly)

  3. 25m 14 (6D, A) Climb up to the first hanger and then follow a natural line of “least resistance” angling up to your right. When looking up this line, you will see a little green tree against the ski-line. To the right and behind/past this tree is two clean ledges above each other where the route tops out. (it is hard to hear your second from here) Following the line of “least resistance”, look far ahead to find the hangers hidden in the grass at each location where you will need to “climb”. Just past/below the tree you were aiming for, you will turn to your left and out of the “line of least resistance”. (you should see the hangers against the largest rocks in the area).

FA: Andrew Louw, Oct 2014

15 Sport 65m, 3, 8
4 Eagle's Squirt

Starts on the grassy ledge, few paces after Misgis. You can abseil in but finding the draws from the top is difficult. 1st pitch: 17 (8D, A) obvious up V shaped break. Delicate step over. 2nd pitch: 17 (9D, A) 4 bolts strait up then diagonally left (do not use the loose block marked with X) and up another 5 bolts to top out. Sloightly overhanging. Bolted by Odette Lippold

FA: Andrew Louw, 14 Aug 2021

17 Sport 60m, 2, 17
5 KOEKIE DEEG

Starts on the grassy ledge, around the corner from Eagle's Squirt. You can abseil in but difficult to find the bolts from the top. You MUST have at least 60m rope to climb. The route Tops out. 1st pitch 18 (9D, A) Koekie Deeg 2nd pitch 18 (10D, A) Stop Asseblief

Set: Andrew Louw & Odette Lippold, 2019

FA: Andrew Louw, 2019

18 Sport 60m, 2, 19

1.5. Water solo cliff 0 routes in Cliff

description

Some water solo climbing is available at the deep pool, below the cable installed to access the main crag.

descent notes

Wet

1.6. Ship's Prow 7 routes in Cliff

Summary:
All Sport climbing

Lat / Long: -25.628195, 29.009191

description

Sport Climbing area

approach

at the very top of Broad Gully on the true left hand side.

descent notes

all routes are equipped with anchors to lower off or one can scramble down the back of the face to your right and down the small gully.

RouteGradeStyleSelected ascents
1 Shiver me Timbers

FA: Ken Thrash & Paul Fatti, Dec 2014

FA: Ken Thrash, Jan 2015

18 Sport 15m, 5
2 HeaveHo

FA: Ken Thrash, Dec 2014

21 Sport 15m, 7
3 Scallywag

FA: Ken Thrash, Jan 2015

22 Sport 18m
4 Savvy

FA: Ken Thrash, Dec 2014

18 Sport 22m, 5
5 Yarr

FA: Ken Thrash, Dec 2014

FA: Ken Thrash & Chris Ziranek, Jan 2015

18 Sport 20m, 6
6 Booty

The free standing blocks on top look dangerous, hence the lower off anchors have been placed below them. It is suggested that you not climb these free standing blocks.

FA: Ken Thrash & Paul Fatti, Dec 2014

FA: Ken Thrash, Jan 2015

19 Sport 20m, 6
7 Crow’s Nest

FA: Ken Thrash & Chris Ziranek, Feb 2015

22 Sport 25m, 9

2. Index by grade

Grade Stars Name Style Pop Area
11 Dilution Trad 1.1. The Broad Gully
Hotplate Trad 100m 1.1. The Broad Gully
13 Drip 'N Drag Trad 120m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Squeeze 'N Squirm Trad 120m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Naboom Nuisance Trad 1.2. Main Crag
Easier Than it Looked Sport 15m, 3 1.4. Test Area
14 Sesame Trad 130m 1.2. Main Crag
15 Gemini Trad 120m 1.2. Main Crag
Generation Gap Trad 120m 1.2. Main Crag
Pillar of Eros Trad 75m 1.3. The Pillar of Eros
Misgis Sport 65m, 3, 8 1.4. Test Area
16 Bottleneck Bulge Trad 120m 1.2. Main Crag
Continental Trad 130m 1.2. Main Crag
Madeira Trad 150m 1.2. Main Crag
Toothpaste Trad 120m 1.2. Main Crag
Expectations Sport 29m, 2, 13 1.4. Test Area
16 A2 Cockrobin Trad 85m 1.2. Main Crag
17 Ouink Trad 100m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Ouink - Pyromania variation Trad 120m, 5 1.1. The Broad Gully
Stuck-A-Tack Trad 90m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Hanepoot Trad 160m 1.2. Main Crag
Idem Dole Trad 100m 1.2. Main Crag
Muscadel Crack Trad 140m 1.2. Main Crag
Van Der Merwe's Crack Trad 100m 1.2. Main Crag
Eagle's Squirt Sport 60m, 2, 17 1.4. Test Area
17 A2 Arrow of Eros Trad 120m 1.3. The Pillar of Eros
18 A Column for Nelson Trad 42m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Fireball Trad 150m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Irish Stew Trad 60m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Oh Boy! Trad 90m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Sardine Run Trad 130m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Cabernet Trad 120m 1.2. Main Crag
Hot Rod Trad 60m, 2 1.2. Main Crag
Reluctance Trad 140m 1.2. Main Crag
Toothache Trad 130m 1.2. Main Crag
KOEKIE DEEG Sport 60m, 2, 19 1.4. Test Area
Savvy Sport 22m, 5 1.6. Ship's Prow
Shiver me Timbers Sport 15m, 5 1.6. Ship's Prow
Yarr Sport 20m, 6 1.6. Ship's Prow
18 A0 Deepheat Trad 98m, 4 1.1. The Broad Gully
Hidden Sting Trad 80m 1.1. The Broad Gully
19 A Perfect Day Trad 40m, 2 1.1. The Broad Gully
Grater Trad 85m, 4 1.1. The Broad Gully
Hot House Trad 90m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Brazilian Bandit Trad 75m 1.2. Main Crag
Corpuscle Trad 80m 1.2. Main Crag
Jesd Trad 95m 1.2. Main Crag
Let It Be Trad 110m 1.2. Main Crag
Mcfat's Lgp Trad 90m 1.2. Main Crag
Sweet Little Mystery Trad 75m 1.2. Main Crag
Booty Sport 20m, 6 1.6. Ship's Prow
20 Australopithecus Robotix Trad 75m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Australopithecus Robustus Trad 45m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Independence Day Trad 40m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Group-Grope Trad 1.2. Main Crag
Mature Wine Trad 70m 1.2. Main Crag
Rockin Me Gently Trad 75m 1.2. Main Crag
Shisa Trad 75m 1.2. Main Crag
Some Like It Hot Trad 120m 1.2. Main Crag
Tassenberg Trad 80m 1.2. Main Crag
Walking on Air Trad 78m 1.2. Main Crag
21 Gang-Bang Trad 1.2. Main Crag
That Furry Thing Trad 110m 1.2. Main Crag
The Grips of Wrath Trad 25m 1.2. Main Crag
The Key Trad 120m, 7 1.2. Main Crag
The Mangler Trad 75m 1.2. Main Crag
Vintage 48 Trad 90m 1.2. Main Crag
Wise Crack Trad 35m 1.2. Main Crag
HeaveHo Sport 15m, 7 1.6. Ship's Prow
21 A0 On Any Sunday Trad 50m, 2 1.1. The Broad Gully
22 All-Spice Trad 170m 1.2. Main Crag
American Werewolf Trad 70m 1.2. Main Crag
Witblitz Trad 100m 1.2. Main Crag
Crow’s Nest Sport 25m, 9 1.6. Ship's Prow
Scallywag Sport 18m 1.6. Ship's Prow
23 New Generation Trad 40m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Scary Monsters Trad 85m 1.1. The Broad Gully
Crankenstein Trad 25m 1.2. Main Crag
JESD Direct Trad 50m 1.2. Main Crag
24 Dancing on a Highwire Trad 100m, 5 1.2. Main Crag
Johnny Walker Trad 20m 1.2. Main Crag
25 C'est L'escalade Trad 25m 1.2. Main Crag
? Cabernet - Muscadel Rap route Trad 1.2. Main Crag
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