접속점 |
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Lukenya
The most popular crag in Kenya is certainly Lukenya, located just 45 minutes from Nairobi. See more info on the MCK website: https://www.mck.or.ke/lukenya-rock-climbing/ |
Main Face
Main Face is the largest of all the Lukenya crags and dominates the view from the North Picnic Tree. In terms of stature, this cliff is second only to Edinburgh castle at Lukenya. The old Lukenya guidebooks have frequently stated that belays and protections are difficult to find on this face but with modern equipment this is far from the truth, and over the years a few bolts for belays and protection have been added. A number of harder climbs with a couple of bolts at key moments leave from the belay of Drowning in the Shallow End and Arthur's Horror respective first pitches. Given the relative easier difficulty of the first pitches of these climbs a fun day can be had by rappelling back in from the bolted anchors at the top and ticking off several off these second pitches in quick succession. The climbs on the Main Face to the right of Arthur's Horror are various in number and their final pitches tend to merge on the upper slabs where one can in any case wander at will. The route descriptions pinpoint the starts but make little attempt to specify the remainder of the climb. Once past the initial pitches the slab climbing is no more that V.D 4a standard throughout and it is suggested that climbers choose their own lines of exit. Care should be taken here as protection due to doubtful flakes but good, if spaced out protection can be found if looked for carefully. It consists of three sections: South End—the dark vegetated slabs on the far left, the overhang above, the recessed slabs and walls immediately to their right. Main Face—the majority of the face with the longest climbs. North End— the shorter climbs at the right-hand end past the gully. The routes below are located from left to right on the crag. Recommended routes: Snake—V.D. Arthur’s Horror—S. Colin’s Caper—S. Bandstand—V.S. Drowning in the Shallow End—HVS Seventh Wave—HVS Hope Floats—HVS The Joker-E2 |
Main Face |
VS
★★★ Gangplank
The climb traverses in under the large overhang and then up the corner to the left of Bandstand. Sometimes has hornets.
Or HS A1 without going free |
VS 4b
★★ Bandstand
A grand old Lukenia classic and a superb introduction to this cliff. At the left end of the cliffs a prominent crack with a rightwards rising ear at 4.5m. Climb crack and step right around ear. Continue easily up to ledge and left-hand fig tree belay. Climb white-coloured wall left of big groove with a tricky step left onto good position on arete, and move up to ledge & belay. Move out rightwards 3m past small nettle tree, and up to horizontal crack. Up directly over this and up wall (crux) above to obvious recess. Traverse left 3m and straight up to top. |
HVS 5a
★★ Drowning in the Shallow End
It has to be admitted that this is a little short on pro, but it is excellent and the few who have led it say provided it is approached with calm and stealth, the need for pro is secondary. Begin 6m right of Bandstand and climb easily for 25m to the right-hand and slightly higher nettle tree. From here up directly to distinct grey ledge at 6m. Awkward move left 1.5m, then up 3m before trending rightwards until directly beneath obvious bulging wall. Straight up bulge (crux), and steep wall above 7.5m to prominent groove. From this point pro is excellent. Climb groove and slightly left to mantleshelf move just below top. Finish up steep wall rightwards on good holds. 2020 edit: It turns out the need for pro wasn't secondary for some - somewhere around 2000 a bolted anchor was added at the grey ledge, with 3 more bolts on the second pitch - the first just above the awkward move left and up and the next two spaced out above. |
E2 5c
★★ The Cruel Sea
A journey to remember! The first pitch is the same as Drowning In The Shallow End, rising easily for 25m to the right-hand and slightly higher nettle tree. Climb 6m to distinct grey ledge. Move up slightly rightwards to bulging dark wall where there is excellent pro in a horizontal slot. Climb holds on right where a tricky move reaches easier ground. Move left to obvious crack and easily up to final overhang and bolt. 1m left of bolt there are holds, so grab the current and use these directly through overhang (crux) to finish. |
HVS 5a
★★ Promenade
Start at foot of face to right of main slab in open groove.
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HVS 5a
★ The Last Voyage of The Titanic
From cave belay move up left to brown streak in groove. Climb this direct to steep brown-coloured wall. Up this with ease to overhang. The overhang is split by a prominent narrow ledge, which is gained from the left. Bolt. Move up trending rightwards to top of the cliff. |
HVS 5a
★★ The Seventh Wave
One of Lukenia's best with a ripper finish. Step left from belay and straight up wall on right of brown streak passing a good thread belay/flake at 12m. Above is a bulging yellow wall which is surmounted from the left by a tricky mantleshelf move onto a good ledge below steepening wall. Step right and move up on good holds until flakes (bolt on left), until forced out unabashedly rightwards and up to finish. |
S 4a
★★ Arthur's Horror
Immediately right of buttress is a large black slab. Start in the middle of this and climb slab direct to steep wall. Up this to good ledge. This ledge is great for attempting the previous climbs instead of the cave belay. The second pitch works its way up the main ridge of the buttress on easy rock to a large belay block beneath the final wall. Climb up flake and step right to small ledge below overhang. A long traverse continues rightwards (crux) keeping under the overhang until a steep wall covered in jugs allows access to the top of cliff. |
HVS
★★ Hope Floats
Climb first pitch of Arthur's Horror. Start second pitch as far as the traverse right. Just before you climb vertically up towards the exit of Arthurs Horror, you should see a bolt (first of three) at about 2m. Climb directly up past the bolt and slightly left on good hold to reach the second bolt. Continue leftwards toward 3rd bolt, again on good holds. Exit climb slightly left. |
E2 6a
★★ The Joker
Take Arthur's Horror as far as the big block belay below the final pitch. Take the obvious flake up from here and step right to small ledge. Continue up rightwards to a point below bolt. This route thrillingly makes its way up to the right of the bolt, edges leftwards above and up (fixed peg pro), to awkward moves on final few feet of cliff. You'll love every second! Downgrade to E2 6a in 2022. |
S
★ Colin's Caper
Start halfway between Arthur’s Horror and Dilemma, directly under a long grass ledge at 20m.
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S
★★ Dilemma
Start at foot of rib to left of crack with nettle tree. Follow rib for 25m, move right to platform. Left-handed to final wall and twin cracks, finish on right of these. |
VD
★ Fanny's Fright
Some 20m left of gully and fig tree is a prominent groove with nettle tree at 3m. Climb groove and buttress on right to platform. Into wide gully. Easy rock to top. |
VD
Troika
Start on the wall immediately to the right of the gully and fig tree. Climb wall to good ledge by large detached flake at 30m. Climb groove and crack. Finish up wall. |
VD
Crow's Nest
Start 15m to right of gully and fig tree in a recess. Up the back wall and exit right onto a rib. Follow a water groove and easiest line to summit. |
VD
★ Snake
Start where detached flake rests against small tree at foot of groove with recess on left at 3m. Ascend groove for 6m and move left onto sloping face to platform and tree. Slightly left to small grassy platform. Right and then left to large recess. Aim for right-hand end of summit boulders to finish. |
VD
★ Diag
Start at foot of Cobblestones. Climb gully and belay at top. Traverse left and climb to last pitch of Arthur’s Horror finishing just right of this. |
VD
Cobblestones
Start at foot of buttress bounded by gully on right. Climb to base of crack, then up crack or buttress on right. Ascending traverse right to ledge. Straight up open face to grassy recess. Ascending traverse left to finish. |
VD
Tree Route
To the right of the face a slight gully appears. Start a short way up gully on left-hand wall. A broken line leads to a wide grassy ledge which is followed to above eye of gully. Move left and continue to large platform with tree. Left and up to finish. |
S
The Spot
To the right of Tree Route is a large white rock under the steeper face. Start between the rock and the next tree on the face.
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VD
The Sword
Start 4.5m to left of overhanging crack.
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HS
Trapeze
The slanting chimney itself. Climb chimney past chockstones to roof—traverse left on smooth slab to ledge. |
S
Scimitar
Start in crack at foot of wall. Climb straight up to platform for 10m. 3m right and straight up overhang to ledge with good flake belay. Move right and straight over final over-hang to finish. . |
S
Cave Corner
The easiest line over the cave at the far right hand end of the crags. |
5.10+
Strugglebus
Perfect hands through a horizontal roof and into an overhanging stem slot – great, awkward movement and a satisfying grunt fest for any crack enthusiasts out there! |
VD
Playtex
There are various finishes to the traverse of Main Face all of which involve about 210m of climbing. Start along the grassy rake coming in from the right about two thirds of the way up Cobblestones. Cross the face to the large platform on Arthur’s Horror. About V.D. so far. There are now three finishes to the girdle [traverse]. Playtex is the first: Descend groove via tunnel to good stance below old eagle’s nest. Descend an easy crack to ledge. Swing round awkward corner to gain slabs at foot of large cave. Descend slightly along grassy ledge, then up awkward groove and over steep slabs until angle eases and progress can be made to left. |
VS
Flying Visit
There are various finishes to the traverse of Main Face all of which involve about 210m of climbing. Start along the grassy rake coming in from the right about two thirds of the way up Cobblestones. Cross the face to the large platform on Arthur’s Horror. About V.D. so far. There are now three finishes to the girdle [traverse]. Flying Visit is the second: Up, and left along obvious traverse line across South End face to nettle trees and stance of Bandstand. Climb across corner and follow lip of overhang till wall steepens then finish above. |
S
★★ Eagle's Nest Traverse
There are various finishes to the traverse of Main Face all of which involve about 210m of climbing. Start along the grassy rake coming in from the right about two thirds of the way up Cobblestones. Cross the face to the large platform on Arthur’s Horror. About V.D. so far. There are now three finishes to the girdle [traverse]. Eagle's Nest Traverse is the third: Climb up to small recess and belay. Traverse across semi-detached flake on left and follow line of weakness across South End. Descend in crack to stance above eagle’s nest. Take wall above stance to finish. |
Edinburgh castle
Lukenya's premier cliff. The Castle embodies everything that is great about Lukenya climbing... position, quality, exposure, and concentrated difficulty. No other cliff in Kenya has captured the imaginations of past generations of Kenyan climbers as this one has. Recommended routes: 'Princes Street' — E2 5b 'Committee Wall' — V.S. |
Edinburgh castle |
E1
Gateway
The South face of Edinburgh Castle. Start from the upright flake at foot of the slab.
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E1 5b
★★★ Waterloo
A delicate exercise in nut placing. This worthy trip takes the left side of the Castle where there is an orange overhang with a steep grey wall above. A 18m doddle up the lower slabs ends at a good belay in horizontal cracks some 5m below the overhang. Up this direct via a slanting flake and the grey wall above is reached by way of a thin vertical crack up on the right. Move up delicately 5m to good pro. Mantelshelf steep wall above and easier ground to top. |
E2 5b
★★★ The Keep
A brilliant climb which takes the main South face of the Castle. Start right of a flake on the ground an 50' of easy climbing leads to a point where the lower slab meets the steepening wall. A long pitch leads up right to the right-hand side of a flake, then up aot a prominent quartz-hole. Traverse diagonally leftwards to an obvious niche, then move right and up a cruzy wall to a horizontal crack (fixed peg pro on right). Move left to wall below bolt and make difficult move up to obvious finishing groove. Easier to top. |
24
Spicer Spice
This is a variant to the Keep Route. Start up The Keep to the overhang. Traverse right to bolt in overhanging hand traverse. Go up flake to nut runner (crux) and then finish right at abseil ledge. |
E3 5c
★★★ Traitor's Gate
Probably Lukenia's best. It makes its way up the left side of the left-hand of the two main overhangs, surmounts this then strings together four or five mind-inspiring moves across the wall above. You can look for difficulties in the first pitch but it is easier to simply take 'The Keep' as far as the first belay. A long pitch follows. Move rightwards to the obvious quartz-hole on 'The Keep', then right a few moves and up past a bolt to easier ground below the left-hand overhang. The remainder of the climb is the crux and includes pulling over the overhang past a bolt on the left, up a move, then traverse 5m rightwards across the steep wall above the overhang. Easily to belay. |
E2 5b
★★★ Princes Street
Intimidating. For many years it was neglected owing to a reputation for lack of pro. Now it has excellent bolt pro. No harder than 'The Keep' but possibly more variety and atmosphere. The route rises steeply to the vertical wall below the left-hand overhang, traverses rightwards across this then surmounts wall in between overhangs in a marvellous position. The original start began left of the start of 'Committee Wall' and climbed the steep wall leading the the left-hand crack of the Committee Wall flake. This is not too hard but unprotected. Many parties will probably take 'Committee Wall' as far as the belay on top of the flake. From here move up leftwards to a bolt, then up with increasing difficulty to a second bolt. Step down right (crux), then up and continue rightwards to easier ground. Move up to foot of wall between overhangs. Bolt on left. Ascend wall with difficulty and hand-traverse right to ledge. Finish easily. |
VS 4c
★★ Committee Wall
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HVS A1
Queensway
To the right of 'Committee Wall' there is a corner with a wide crack. 5m to the right of this is another crack.
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VS 4c
★★ Golden Anniversary
The best easiest way up the Castle, and superior to Committee Wall. Ian Howell first climbed it in 1982 but to this day can't remember who his second was. Some parties belay half-way up in the Committee Wall 'keyhole', but this might not be the best belay in the world. It can be done in one long pitch, but watch your pro carefully for the last thing you want on the final moves is rope-drag. The climb takes the East face of the Castle and starts in a gully where there is a leaning block below and right of the Committee Wall 'keyhole'. From block move up leftwards past a bolt, step left and continue leftwards to the arete. Straight up to 'keyhole'. Move up rightwards some 6m and gain a prominent ledge system which leads up diagonally leftwards. Hold your breath and traverse left along this (crux), until holds allow an exit above. |
VS 4c
★★ Committee Wall (Golden Anniversary Start)
Starting up Golden Anniversary, join Committee Wall at the 'keyhole' |
E1 A1
Ramparts
Girdle traverse of Edinburgh Castle.
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Archway
150m from the South Picnic Tree to the left there is a grey slab surmounted by a tumble of huge boulders with a fig tree growing out of them. This crag is one of the most pleasant at Lukenia and is an excellent introduction to the type of climbing in the area. Two old routes, Subway and Boiler Plate are worthy inclusions on anybody's day and their altered descriptions are mentioned below. Recommended routes: Standard Route—D. Tramlines—S. Subway—V.S. Boilerplate--V.S. |
Archway |
M
South Climb
Start on dark rock 6m to the left of lichenuous slab, a groove with quartz at the foot. Follow groove to finish. |
S
Likin
Lies between South Climb and Long Layback. Start in centre of slab and climb direct for 6m then slightly right to top. |
D
Long Layback
Scramble up crescent shaped gully to tree belay. Using lip of crack for layback, climb to end of crack and final belay. |
M
★★ Archway Original
Start on right at point of gully. Simple traverse right leads behind small tree. Climb up moving right then left to the top. |
D
★ Standard Route
Start at base of face below apex of groove 2.5m' to right of tree at ground level. Climb left to overhang at easiest point, surmount this and move up to reasonable rock that leads to finish. |
VD
★ Archway Direct
Start at point of slab directly below tree on overhang, a pigeonhole 1m above ground. Move right-handed to platform, ascend steep wall behind to ledge. Climb wall and slab directly behind to finish in bushy trees. Abseil from here Two alternate starts may be made: Superdirect and Supersuperdirect. |
S
Archway Superdirect
Alternate start to Archway Direct. Start on corner of buttress to right of normal start (point of slab directly below tree on overhang, a pigeonhole 1m above ground). Leads to platform. Finish as for Archway Direct: ascend steep wall behind to ledge. Climb wall and slab directly behind to finish. |
S
★ Archway Supersuperdirect
Alternate start to Archway Direct. Further round corner to right at narrow crack with fig tree. Climb crack in entirety, including section above ledge. Rejoin route at ledge and finish as for Archway Direct: ascend steep wall behind to ledge. Climb wall and slab directly behind to finish. |
HVS 5a
★★ Subway
Start 5m left of the Tramlines gully below a steep wall with a scoop above. Climb wall for 4m then delicately into scoop, and up to small flake. Stand on this with difficulty (crux), and up to good holds. Continue to ledge. Directly up from ledge to abseil bush. Or step down and right across ledge and ascend wall some 2m right of big slash in cliff. |
D
★★★ Taxi For One
Start in the vegetable corner crack right of 'Subway' and approx. 3m left left of 'Nasser'/'Tramlines'. Layback gracefully below the tree for 6" before continuing more botanically up the corner onto the left end of the ledge shared by 'Nasser' and 'Tramlines'. Continue leftwards, up the natural groove and euphorbia as it steepens past the tree, and continue up this corner crack to top. |
HS
Nasser
Start as for Tramlines. Step across to ledge. The face is taken direct avoiding the vegetated crack on the left. |
S
★ Tramlines
Start at foot of large fig tree in gully. Layback to top of flake on right. Traverse left a few feet to ledge at foot of upper gully. From here thin twin cracks up right- hand corner of gully take route out onto face on right which is then climbed direct. |
VS 5a
Junction
Start just right of big fig tree on boulder below steep slab. Climb this for a few unprotected moves to a ledge at 9m below small overhang. Bolt below overhang. Move up wall left of bolt (crux), up overhang and easier wall above to finish. |
HVS 5a
Blue Train
About 6m right of Junction there is a chimney crack above the ground. Climb easily up this to the righthand end of the Junction ledge, some 2m right of bolt. Move up right above obvious "pigeon-hole" (crux), then straight up wall above. |
VS 5a
★★ Boiler Plate
It has been said that one member of the Mountain Club makes the journey to Lukenia once a fortnight solely to do battle with this little beauty, If he succeeds on one safari, the only certainty is that it will defeat him on his next Originally climbed by traversing in from the Junction ledge on the left, parties in recent years have preferred a more direct approach. Start 3m left of Bandana at a "pigeon-hole" about a meter off the ground. Climb wall by "pigeon-hole" and step left at 3m to diagonal crack rising rightwards. Move right and over the overlap at 5m, directly above start. Climb face above moving slightly right to ledge. Mantle shelf up leftwards to ledge below black streak, and climb delicately up slab (crux), on right of bolt to top. Original route was to climb up to shallow cave and the move up rightwards. |
HVS 5a
★★ Golden Rivet
This route ascends the steep wall and arete between Boiler Plate and Bandana. Start just left of Bandana where a difficult move leads left to a good hold. Move straight up to where pro can be placed above right end of overlap. Step right and up steep lichen wall to good jug. Mantle shelf. Move up right and ascend wall left of grassy Bandana gully with difficulty. |
HS
Bandana
About 8m to the right of Boiler Plate there is a steep vegetated crack. Climb through tree then up crack to steep bulge (crux), continue up grass to top. |
E2 5c
★★ Matatu
The ultimate finger-tingler! Start 3m right of Bandana, Climb thin crack to obvious "pigeon-hole" at 4m. Move up bulge above on good holds, then two hard moves lead out rightwards across wall and up to easier ground. |
E2 6a
★★★ Hit and Run
The steep corner some 6m right of Matatu. Five fierce moves up thin crackline past bolt on right, leads to blank wall. Cruxy move right then easier step left below small roof. Over roof on good holds and to top. |
VS 4b
Freeway
A short way up the gully right of Hit and Run there is an obvious scoop near the ground. Up to this, then harder move out of scoop, and straight up to top. |
Egyptian
One of the best crags in Lukenya, with climbs with a wide range of difficulty, mostly with decent protection once you find it. Beware of hornets and bees on some of the climbs (Papyrus and Pharoah's wall especially). |
Egyptian |
VD
★★ Cleopatra
Start in the middle of left-hand buttress of crag at a crack surmounted by a double overhang and pointed boulder on skyline. Follow crack to overhang, pull up and move to final boulder which is taken direct. |
VD
★ Nefertiti
A straight line between Cleopatra and Ammon, turning the overhang on the right and keeping out of the trees. |
D
★★ Ammon
Start at the right-hand corner of buttress. Climb to ledge at 4.5m. Step across gully to corner on right and follow corner to top. |
S
Rameses
Start just to the left of Osiris and aim for a small bush on the skyline directly above. |
S
★ Osiris
Start where there is a prominent small cave 2m above the ground. Climb into this, pull out of it and climb onto wall above some 1-1.5m left of fig tree root. Continue to top. |
D
★ Isis
Start a few feet left of the cave in Osiris. Traverse right above cave to foot of fig tree root, cross this and climb to right of root and finish over boulders. |
VS
★ Ashenhaten
To the right of Isis is a deep crack starting some 2.5m up. A hard start just to the left, then straight up. |
E3 5c
★★★ Take is not a safe word
A line consisting of beautiful moves until the usual Egyptian easy finish. Start up the first bolt of DIY/Ulf Carlsson Memorial Climb, and instead of going right, go straight up, to the small pockets above, up towards the larger/pocket/jug before moving to the crack on the left and exiting the hard climbing. Gear is thin and thoughtful but there throughout the climb if you look for it. first ascent was headpointed. |
E2 5c
★★ DIY
Start to the left of the Ulf Carlsson Memorial Plaque, following a curved line of 3 bolts. Get established on small crimps at the start and traverse right with bad feet to the second bolt. Power straight up past the third bolt, then traverse delicately right across a blank face to get established on a pillar. From here join the top section of Pharaoh's Wall and keep an eye out for hornets! |
VD
Pharaoh's Wall
In the middle of the face is a grassy platform at 4.5m. Start in corner to left below this and climb to platform, then to detached pinnacle on left. Step across gully and move left onto wall. Climb left-handed to end of curving overhang. Pull up to finish on ledge. |
S
★★★ Papyrus
Start as for Pharaoh's Wall. From left-hand side of platform ascend crack direct. Pull up past overhang and easy rock to finish. From the lefthand side of the platform ascend crack direct. Pull up past overhang and easy rock to finish. |
VD
★ Anthony
Start as for Pharaoh's Wall. Climb to platform and then the difficult-looking wall behind to ledge for belay. Move right along ledge and climb short, strenuous crack on corner. Over boulder to finish on summit. |
D
★★★ Vulture's Nest
Start below right hand end of platform, where a fig tree affords an easy route to the platform. Ascend corner on left of gully to ledge and belay. Move left along ledge to small tree beside which an easy route will be found leading to the top. An alternative route to the platform can be made (9m, VS). Start directly below the second pitch on a wall with small holds. Ascend 3m, traverse 3m left, continue left-handed to good holds on the corner. (A. Owen; 1961) |
D
Ptolemy
Start as for Vulture's Nest to platform. Climb onto corner on right. Awkward step on point of corner leads to easy rock and direct to top. |
S
★ Scarab
Lies between Ptolemy and Sweet Fanny Adams on the buttress just to the left of the chimney. Climb to the pigeon-hole where an awkward move leads to a ledge at 7.5m. From ledge climb directly up or cross chimney to block on right and then up. |
HVS 5a
★ Death of Disco
Between Sweet Fanny Adams and Scarab is a wall topped by a hanging block. There is a recess at the base of this wall which is climbed to a pigeon-hole. Step left at 3m and climb until level with a bolt on the right. Traverse right past this, to the bottom of the hanging block and easier ground. Straight up the wall above on jugs. |
E2 5c
★★ Chips Funga
Climb the unprotected face between Death of Disco and Sweet Fanny Adams for 5 meters on small edges, before getting to a good horizontal rail and pocket which can take gear. Powerful moves left and up across a flake to get established at a broken crack system, and then up the face on easy holds. |
VS
★★ Sweet Fanny Adams
Start on the corner to left of fig tree. Hard start leading to small block at 3m; from here direct to belay. Move left-handed across face on exposed rock with good holds to summit. |
VS
★★ Sphynx
The climb goes up the chimney immediately to the right of Sweet Fanny Adams. Back up the chimney facing right for 9m when a runner may be placed in the crack. Continue direct up the crack until the ledge can be reached. Traverse right 4.5m and ascend wall above on small holds. |
S
Dog's Dinner
Start 7.5m to the right of Sphynx on the corner. Up fault as far as possible then traverse right to corner. Climb direct to hole. From here onto ledge immediately above and take final pitch above. Follow fault for 4.5m then traverse and up corner to top. |
7b+
★★ Crimphotep
Fully bolted. Start on slab below first bolt. Move straight up to anchors. First section is tricky and technical to a large block. Climbing past this block is the crux, with different methods better suiting different heights of climber: either go straight up on poor crimps before moving right, or get a heel-lock and toe-jam in place either side of the block and reach straight for a small but positive crimp up and right. Finish on small crimps to top. Grade subject to debate, bu last 3 people to climb the route suggested 7b+ as the grade so that will be kept for now. FA and date unknown. |
E2 5b
★★ Los Penitentes
On the red face facing south picnic tree. One bolt at start, then traverse diagonally to the right, move up to holes. Then traverse left on horizontal crack until it thins down, with another bolt above the crack. Finish at bolted anchors. |
Cave Crag
Between Archway and Egyptian Crags a grassy gully leads into the hillside. Some 50m up this on the left is Cave Crag. A rough, little-climbed crag with a deep cave in its centre. Recommended routes: Gaza HVS 5b |
Cave Crag |
S
Chimney Sweep
At the top of the left branch of the gully is a cleft with a small bush at its base. Climb cleft to point of overhang, move onto right wall where easy climbing leads to the top. |
E1
★★ Eve
Start 2m left of Jericho Wall. Climb directly to horizontal crack above the start. Finger traverse right until the pigeon hole is reached. Move left-handed across slab to finish. Has received few repeats over recent years, hence still retaining the old XS grade. Has a reputation for being quite thin and unprotected, around 6b French difficulty - feedback on a modern grade update welcome! |
E1
★ Jericho Wall
Start well up left-hand gully from point of small boulder below a tiny fig tree in a pigeon hole on the wall at 4.5m. Step on to wall and climb to horizontal crack. Hand traverse right and mantleshelf onto small ledge. At right hand edge climb groove to platform and top. Abseil off the tree just below the top. |
HVS 5b
★★ Gaza
To the left of Cave Crack is a prominent pillar. Start at the bottom and climb up on the corner/pillar. Below the bolt you can place a few runners. Crux around the bolt (which can be a bit tricky to clip). Continue past bolt and easily to top. |
VS
★★ Cave Crack
Climb slab on right in cave to platform below overhang. At point of cave and overhang is a steep shelf leading diagonally left and up. Hand traverse along this and into the crack then onto the left face. From here easier rock leads to finish on wide ledge with belay. Probably one or two grades harder if below six feet, as the opening move will require a dynamic latch onto the rail, swinging out over a sizeable drop down the boulder. Take care for the follower as well - too much slack and a fall on the rail at the start would mean hitting the ground, not enough will pull the climber off the wall. |
VS
Lydia's Leap
Start up the semi-detached block with a big rightwards slanting crack to the right of Cave Crack. Over this (crux), then easier to the top over broken ground. |
D
The Villa
Start 9m to the right of the cave, where there is a semi-detached piece of rock. Step from slab to point of semi-detached piece of rock. Traverse left and ascend steep wall directly to ledge with belay. Finish directly up groove behind belay. An alternative finish may be made by moving right from the belay ledge, up a small wall and over final boulder. |
Eagle's Nest
From the South Picnic Tree, Cemetery and Eagle's Nest cliffs form the upper skyline. Walk up the gully behind the Picnic Tree and then left-handed to the base of the cliff. The whole area lies to the left of the gully of Fig Tree Face with the two very large fig trees at the foot. The face consists of two parts, the break being at the angle of the cliffs between Epitaph, the right-hand climb of the Cemetery, and Eagle’s Nest Crack, the left-hand climb of Eagle’s Nest Face. The climbing is mostly steep and clean with good rock. These are not beginners’ cliffs. |
Eagle's Nest |
E2 5c
Striptease
A hard mixed route - don't believe the old guide which calls this a "genuine sport climb"! Take some small nuts and cams as well as quickdraws for the three bolts. Start left of the root coming down from Eagle's Nest Crack and climb the crack in the front of the boulder past a bulge to the platform below Epitaph. Move right onto wall and climb direct past three bolts. At the third bolt step left (crux), then continue direct to top. |
VS
★★★ Eagle's Nest Crack
Start 2m to the right of fig tree root.
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E2 6a
★★★ Exhibition Wall
Right up there with the best. Climb the face 3m right of Eagle's Nest Crack and over a slight bulge to the root. Move up to scoop, step left, up to bolt. Climb up rightwards (crux), to horizontal crack then left to vertical crack and follow this to top. |
E3 5c
★★ Anglepoise
The obvious crack below and leading to the large block at the end of the traverse on Eagle’s Nest Crack. Aid from one peg on the traverse into the crack low down. |
E3 6a
★★ Savage Waltz
Best climbed when cliff is in the shade. Start 30' right of Anglepoise just left of a prominent boulder on the ground. Climb bulge and layback crack to a small tree. Swing right and layback (crux) to a niche. Follow horizontal crack right to easier ground. |