The Johannesburg Section of the MCSA, supported by Cencom, ran the 2005 international climbing meet, the second of its kind in South Africa. Our aim is to introduce foreign climbers to our magnificent climbing crags and to our sunny and warm African climate, to help our local climbers to make contact and friends with climbers from other parts of the world and simply to have a good time climbing with them.
8 British, 2 Belgian 3 and Finnish climbers attended. One Pakistani had to cancel last minute because of visa problems. We had hoped to attract a few more climbers and particularly from a larger number of different countries, but the group was a happy crowd and that made well up for numbers.
The meet started off in the Magaliesberg, Mountain Sanctuary Park. Alard Hueffner gave a slide show on our first night at MSP, introducing our guests to African crags, those that they were going to visit and others that might tempt them to come back one day. And Terry White entertained us with his guitar and songs. Halfway through the week, when all were together, we enjoyed a good South African braai, sponsored by Johannesburg section.
During the first weekend parties climbed in the Magaliesberg at Tonquani, Cederberg Kloof and Lower Fernkloof enjoying our solid red rock and savouring some of the old time classics. And marveling over hundreds of unclimbed boulders.
Then followed a day’s visit to Wilgepoort, a remote crag of steep solid rock above the Wilge River, some two and a half hours drive east. “Toothache”, “Gemini” and “Cabernet Muskadel” were favourites. Karin Magog and Steve Crowe ascended “The Key”. Walking back to the cars we chose the river-crossing route, which involved some serious boulder hopping and negotiating deep and fast waters.
Our next venue was Mhlabatini, again in the Magaliesberg, a gem of steep, brilliant rock and routes one better than the other. We climbed just about everything in sight of the meet spot: The Slit, The Slot, Sweezicles, Jellybeans, Quicksilver, Straight Edge, Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained, followed by boulder-hopping and wading through chest deep pools past fern trees down the picturesque kloof.
The two and a half days at Waterval Boven followed, the sport climbing Mecca
in our parts of the country. We climbed at the Coven, at Hallucinogenic Wall,
the Superbowl and the Restaurant Crag. It was difficult to get the climbers
off the crags at night with this practically unlimited choice of superb climbs.
Everyone was trying to get done “just one more climb”.
The main group spent the second weekend at Krantzberg, part of the Waterberg
north of Thabazimbi. Due to late and unseasonal rains some of the climbs were
wet and not in best condition. Our campfire at night under a brilliant southern
night sky made up for not so optimal climbing.
Three parties of two also had the opportunity to climb at Blouberg, an island mountain far up north in the country, it’s rock face rising from the bushveld plains. This includes a drive of some 400km, a two to three hour approach march through Yellowwood forest and alpine slopes, sleeping in a cave overlooking the mountain slopes, getting up in the dark, early hours of the morning and climbing for a full day on sheer rock of superb quality - the highlight of their trip for those who went.
A meet like this is only possible with the help of numerous volunteers: People have to be collected at the airport and brought back, transport between various climbing crags is needed, guests are looking for advice on routes to climb and for information about country and people. Greg Devine, Robert Crommarty and Ulrike Kiefer had taken off the whole week and were the back bone of the whole operation. Mike Grant, Chris Ziranek and Hector Pringle took on the Blouberg trips and many others helped out for the odd day here and there.
This week was much enjoyed by all, guests and locals alike. It also was a busy
week; we often got up before sunrise to arrive at the next destination in time
for a full day’s climbing.
Our visitors were very impressed by our land and rock and all said they would
be coming back for more. It was a rewarding experience to witness this enthusiasm
and enjoyment. This is what makes such an exercise worthwhile in the end.