Nodes in Strubens Valley

Struben's Valley is a very popular beginner climbing destination in the West Rand of Gauteng in South Africa. Lots of Bolted routes, mainly short pitches.

The lower section comprises of very short climbs with very tight bolting. Ideal place for Beginners, but with some challenging sections. Generally a very popular crag.

This is the far left lowest cliff. The climbs are up to 12m, the top easily accessible via a short scramble either side of the cliff.

A girdle traverse of the left-hand portion of the lower level of Struben's. Start on the left at the second bolt on the very first route, and continue at approximately the same height to the very last route on the right. It goes at about 18 in both directions (climbed both ways)

Follow the left-most line of bolts up the grooves and ledges to where you can reach the lower-offs. A slightly easier variation is found if you deviate 1-2m left after the first bolt.

Start up MEADOW LANE to the base of a thin corner groove, straight up the wall to the right. Climb the corner to gain the lower-offs on the left.

Go up the stepped groove in the slab 5m left of the nose, until the wall steepens at the third bolt. Less strenuous thyan the routes on the left.

Start up the short smooth face to the faint crack line 1.5m left of the nose. Can be climbed straight through the bolt line at the crux. If you choose to layback, there may be a temptation to use easier holds far out right. Climb the headwall slab to lower-offs..

The nose route. Experience a steep start past the ex-tree. Don’t hang around too long or gravity will catch up. Go straight up the crack to lower-offs on the right. ‘Legal’ holds can be used just to the right, but if you ignore all of these, the grade is about 20.

Probably led by various of the Margetts clan in the 80’s. Start 2m right of the root on the nose, following the double crack system to the base of the smaller groove at the top. Climb up this to lower-offs.

Start about 3m right of the nose. Climb steeply up a spidery crack system to easier ground finishing in the larger groove/recess.

Climb the shallow recess about 6-7m right of the nose. If it feels a bit hard, try a little technique. Continue up the crack above to lower-offs on a small buttress.

Go up the orange face, without making use of the major edge to the right.

Use the break to the right of the orange face to gain the summit, using the same lower-offs as A DELICATE ONE.

Go up the face to the right of the break used by THUGGERY. Pull into the base of the short corner, and climb to the lower-offs on the left, under the tree.

Go right after the second bolt on CATWALK to lower-offs on the right.

Climb the face just to the left of an obvious recess. Use the same lower-offs as WALKING THE DOG.

Up the obvious recess/corner.

Right of the short gully to the top. Climbs are up to 8m.There is shade to be found u der the trees in front of the wall.

The easiest sport route in the country/Africa/Southern hemisphere? Almost anyone should be able to lead it even with no previous climbing experience. Climb the face 8m right of the short gully. First ascent: Soloed in the 80’s.

If the root looks like becoming a bush again, apply a chainsaw. Climb the face 10m right of the gully past 2 bolts. Same lower-offs as for VISIONS OF URBAN GLOOM.

Start at the large recess/break. After the second bolt climb out right to gain the smooth slab which is followed to lower-offs.

Starting at the base of the recess, follow the line of weakness diagonally across under INFORMAL SETTLEMENT’s slab to the crack system to its right. Climb this and use IS’s lower-offs.

Start 1m right of the large recess and climb REDISTRIBUTION’s crack all the way from the ground using the same bolts.

Start at the base of a jam crack 4m right of recess. Climb steeply past the funnel feature, tending slightly right towards the top.

Starting at an ex-tree, climb up the crack line on great holds then move left past the bulge (ignoring the bolt on the right) to join FUNNEL OF FUNDS at the top.

Takes the smooth bulging orange face with two key horizontal cracks above this bulge.go left T the second rail. Slightly reach dependant, but a good line all the same.

Climb the crack and V-shaped groove right of COSMIC POLITICIAN. Finish at lower-offs either left or right.

Climb up to the large peapod groove to the bulge. The crux is using a layback move to the right, in the middle of the bolt line. The temptation to stray is great: nice move if you don’t.

Teeter up the smooth slab just left of the arete. It gets more positive – eventually. Finish leftwards to the lower-offs on DISTRICT SIX.

Climb the deep crack to the right of the smooth slab to the left of a long, elevated ledge.

The climb starts next to a bushy gully on the left, some 3m left of a whitish nose. There is a crack line through the bulge. Climb the small bulge on large jugs.

Climb the crack on the right of the bulge and 1.5m right of the nose. Move up, then right and up on layback holds.

The route up the smooth, whitish nose. Follow the thin crack line up the nose, without straying too far either way. A tad contrived. Go a little left after the third bolt to the GANG WARFARE lower-offs.

Climbs the face to the right of the nose. There are some great incuts on this one. Go slightly right to lower-offs overlooking the large recess.

Start up the featured arête to the right of a large recess about 4m right of the CITY SLICKER nose. Climb the juggy rock, going left at the top to the lower-offs. Crux is just after the first bolt.

Start at a small jagged block. Climb the face, trending somewhat right at the top to lower-offs.

Start below the boltline through a shallow scoop about 1.5m left of the prominent red corner. Climb to lower-offs above.

Climbs a striking red corner all the way to the top.

Between the corner and a dark recess is a vague break through a face with glue-on blocks – right above the tree / roots. Most remaining holds feel solid, but exercise some care. Go left at the top on bug jugs (rather steep).

Climb the smooth, light-coloured face to the right of the dark crack / recess. Don’t reach past the edge of the face.

Start up the excellent left-facing corner just right of the whitish face. The corner flattens out higher up.

About 5m right of SKYWALKER is a recess with a deep crack on the left and a ledge on the right. Climb the corner on the right of the recess (using a jam near the top) to lower offs on the arête to the right. Can get a bit muddy and mind the loose rocks at the top.

Start 2-3m right of the BAD KARMA recess. Climb the smooth orangey-red wall on good incuts. Tend left towards the arete. Not as easy as it looks, and much harder for midgets.

Climb the smooth overhanging face to the right of DRUGS AND DEATH on thin holds. A bolt exists at the top which can be used to top-rope the route. Note: If you use the grips on the left, the grade drops to 23.

Start 4m right of the BAD KARMA recess. Climb past a tree root on a ledge 1.5m up. Climb the crack above to a notch in the roof. Give the scree above a definite miss. Also a little reach dependant.

Start 1m left of THE RED ZONE. Climbs through some dynamic moves to the ledge at mid height. Pull through the overhang above on 2 underclings to the jugs above.

Climbs a crack line about 7m right of the BAD KARMA recess into a groove between 2 small buttresses. Start just right of the first bolt. Much harder (25) if the holds left of the arête are not used or if you are vertically challenged. This route and those to the right had seen previous top rope action.

Climbs the bulging buttress just left of STREETFIGHTER, using the first 2 bolts of STREETFIGHTER and 2 hanger bolts out to the left. Don’t use the crack to the right.

Climb up the well defined crack with hand-jam to cubby hole. Pull out left onto the smooth buttress at the roof. Watch the rope on sharp edges when lowering-off. Reachy. Originally graded 22.

Start 1.5m right of the STREETFIGHTER crack. Stretch/balance up to a good jug. Pull past the right of the roof to 0.5m to the right, using good technique for maximum brownie points.

Start 3m right of STREETFIGHTER. Climb up and left to a well-wedged small flake. Pull the steep finish to clip off a good rail just left of the lower-offs. Without hooking the block to the left the grade goes up somewhat. Short persons may also find this harder.

Climb the crack in the corner. Crux is just before the second bolt. Since the first bolt broke out with a chunk of rock, the climb is dangerous to lead.

Climb just right of the corner

Climbs up a series of small ledges a few meters right of SERIOUSLY NOW.

Upper Section The upper section is found above and to the left (facing the crags from below) of the main crags. Head towards the main overhanging area where you will find climbs such as BLACK MAGIC (unfortunately this cave is occupied at present). From here, head left to get to the bolted climbs. The routes to the far left are actually pretty good. Height ranges from 15m to 20m

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

• Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA). Look at “Who we are” for the different sections of the MCSA

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

• ClimbZA. Welcome to the largest & most comprehensive online database of Southern African climbing information.

Shares top anchors with RED FRED.

On the left hand side of the Upper band, slightly above the rest of the cliffs is a steep red broken buttress with a large thin flake 3m high in the centre, at its base. Climb the crack on the left hand side of the flake to its top, then step up left to above a small overhang. From there continue up slightly right via a small recess to the top.

Climb the crack on the right of the flake (see INTO PINK) continuing up to the corner above, then at its top climb another small corner, just to the right of the ridge, to the top.

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

• Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA). Look at “Who we are” for the different sections of the MCSA

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

• ClimbZA. Welcome to the largest & most comprehensive online database of Southern African climbing information.

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

• Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA). Look at “Who we are” for the different sections of the MCSA

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

• ClimbZA. Welcome to the largest & most comprehensive online database of Southern African climbing information.

Straddle up short dark brown square recess to the right of THINK PINK, and just to the left of a cave with blocks in it. Step left at the large block which is at the top of the recess. Has a tricky start.

Walk down 10m from THINK PINK to a lower buttress with a smooth undercut bulge at its base. Balance up bulge along a ridge 1m to the right of white streak, to a flared crack underneath an overhang. Pull over overhang and continue up easier ground to the top, keeping to the ridge.

To the right of PURPLE FRENZY is an obvious crack leading to an open hook above with blocks in it. Climb initial section (crux) to cubbyhole, then continue up steep crack above on good grips to the top.

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

• Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA). Look at “Who we are” for the different sections of the MCSA

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

• ClimbZA. Welcome to the largest & most comprehensive online database of Southern African climbing information.

About 4m to the right of GOAT CRACK is a small tree. Climb left of tree to ledge, then move up left via crack to a ledge 1m to the right of the cubby hole of GOAT CRACK. Then climb up cracks above to the top.

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

• Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA). Look at “Who we are” for the different sections of the MCSA

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

• ClimbZA. Welcome to the largest & most comprehensive online database of Southern African climbing information.

About 7m to the right of BUMBLE BEE is a 4.5m high thin crack with peg scars in it (dark rock). Climb the crack to a small ledge and instead of moving up left to easy ground, reach right to another crack/corner, which is followed to the top. If the block on the right is used to straddle, the grade is reduced.

About 2m to the right of LIFE IN THE FAST LANE is a slab leading to a chimney in between two obvious ridges. Start to the right, and step left into the chimney which is then climbed to the top.

Two ridges are mentioned in LAUGHTER OF THE MORTALS. Climb up the right side of the right ridge on big jugs to the top.

Move up the centre of wall which is to the right of TEA BAGGING to the top (avoiding good grips on TEA BAGGING and the crack on the right)

To the right of TEA BAGGING is an obvious, attractive scoop shaped overhanging face with two corners on either side. Climb the left hand corner to the top, moving left near the top.

Climb the scooped face up the middle.

Climb the right hand side of the scoop mentioned in IS THERE ANYBODY IN THERE, to the top.

About 3m to the right of the start of IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE is a bushy tree. Above the tree is a small corner with a few roots in it at the base. Climb this corner to an overhang, rail left, and move up corner on left until one can step right again, to above the previously mentioned overhang. Then continue past fig tree to top.

About 2,5m to the right of the tree mentioned in BARRACUDA is another similar tree. Step onto grey face here and climb up to the large ledge above. Above this is a short overhanging face with a break in it directly above the start. Climb this break which leads into a crack higher up, to the top.

Start as for MUSSEL CRACKER, but tend rightwards towards a tree. Then climb up through the tree onto another ledge. Continue along ledge until possible to easily climb to the top.

About 4m to the right of THUNDER THIGHS are a few large boulders. On the right of these is a tree next to the crag. Step into the corner below the prominent overhang 3m up. Climb up to the ledge above. Then continue up corner to the tree of THUNDER THIGHS. Continue directly to the top.

This is a superb girdle traverse, probably the best route on the crag. At the thin tree mentioned in THUNDER THIGHS DIRECT, climb up for 3m until you can traverse right along the obvious rail under the fig tree. Continue for 25m at the lip of the cave until you get to another fig tree. Climb up 4m to a ledge. 2. 10m 15 Walk right, to below the nose. Move up on the right hand side and swing around left to the obvious hand crack. Follow this to its end and then continue to top. Note: This route has to be led. The first pitch is sustained, and is as hard to follow as it is to lead.

Start about 3m to the right of the start of LUNAR LIGHT TRAVERSE below the fig tree. Climb up to the rail and up on small grips to a small recess to the left of a nose and to the right of a fig tree. Climb up this for 3m to easier ground which is followed to the top.

Above the right hand side of the boulders mentioned in THUNDER THIGHS DIRECT is an obvious v-shaped break in the roof above. Pull up initial overhang using underclings to the rail, continue up to break, then climb through break (crux) to easier ground, continue up vague recess above to the top.

Move up diagonally left, starting half a metre to the left of the start of TIDAL WAVE, to the rail. Move up to a bolt. Continue up through the overhanging rock above, past the second bolt to the top. Do not use the grips that would normally be used for the routes on either side for handholds or footholds.

About 3m to the right of BLACK MAGIC is a large obvious corner. Climb directly up to the corner after negotiating the initial overhang, climb the corner (crux) and continue straight up crack above without stepping right onto easier rock (a superb direct line).

Start as for TIDAL WAVE to the rail. Rail right to a corner, move right onto the nose and then up to grips above a thin crack. Then move up diagonally left to a ledge. Continue up to the top.

Pull up into the corner to the right of the start of TIDAL WAVE (reachy). Then execute a very contrived pull through the roof above, without touching the right wall of the corner. (Height is a definite advantage for both cruxes).

About 3m to the right of STICKY WICKET DIRECT is a hairline crack running through the initial bulge, widening to finger size higher up. Aid (A3) up initial section on blades and poor nuts to the rail, then continue up crack above (free climbing) with some difficult moves (19) near the top.

About 5m to the right of the start of STICKY WICKET DIRECT is an obvious jug handhold about 3m up, at the lip of the cave. Move onto this dynamically and continue up to a rest on the rail (crux) . Continue up over second overhang (20) and up to top.

About 5m to the right of the start of MENTAL BLOCK is a short root filled crack. Climb this to the rail, ascend wide crack above (crux) to a ledge. Then avoid bad rock above by traversing right for 5m to an attractive nose with an obvious hand crack on its left hand side. Climb this to the top, starting on its right hand side. (As in LUNAR LIGHT TRAVERSE)

About 5m to the right of HOT CANARY is a short corner topped by a roof. To its right, above 2 large, flatish boulders are 2 smooth, overhanging bulges. Straddle up the corner to the roof, then rail right above the first bulge to a cramped position. Pull through second bulge strenuously until the grade eases, then continue up ridge above (excellent dynamic moves).

At the right hand end of the big cave. About 4m to the right, and around the corner from the start of STARGAZER is a crack up an overhanging recess. Climb this (crux) and follow easy cracks to the top.

About 1,5m to the right of SMOKE ALLEY is an obvious crack running up and through overhangs. JUGULAR VEIN climbs this crack.

Climb the crack to the right of JUGULAR VEIN to the top. Continue up easy ground above.

Start 10m up BLACK JACK GULLY in a short obvious corner with yellow and grey patches. This is just to the left of a dusty cave whose ceiling consists of large boulders. Climb the corner and continue past the tree above to the top.

The obvious decent route with tree at base.

Climb face 1m right of EYES OF FIRE through overhang to top.

Climb shallow recess 1m to the right and around the corner of DEVIOUS.

About 4m up BLACK JACK GULLY on the true left is an obvious finger crack up a grey and cream streaked wall. Climb the crack to a rail, then pull straight through the centre of the steep face above to reach the top.

Climb the crack system directly above the tree at the base of BLACK JACK GULLY. Climb up past some white streaks to an undercling rail. Then move left onto further cracks and ascend (passing a tree on the right) to the top.

To the right of INO THE BLUE is a large overhang about 2m up. Start as for HEART OF GOLD and step up left onto the lip of the overhang. Then follow the thin crack past the small tree to the undercling rail and second overhang. Pull through centre of second overhang at about 1.5m to the right of INTO THE BLUE. Continue straight to the top.