We, Hein Venter and Walter Piel, went on a mountain climbing trip down to Cape Town over the 1997 Easter holidays. Over a period of seven days we climbed at five Cape Peninsula sites, namely Table Mountain (climbing above Camps Bay), Lion's Head, Muizenberg, Peer's Cave (near Fish Hoek), and Schoorsteenkop (near Hout Bay).

Experiencing just about perfect weather, we started by bruising ourselves on Lion's Head, an on-balance granite 'slab', and did two natural routes. First, a fairly easy grade 14, and then a more demanding grade 17 (which we cheated on slightly by stepping out onto an adjacent route (grade 10) at the crux).

Next up was Table Mountain. As the cableway is closed for renovations until October 1997, climbing is done at own risk. We hiked up the side of the mountain - all 700 m of it, and in 2 hours nogal (normal access is by riding the cableway up, abseiling to the base of the climb, climbing up, and riding down again).

The day was slightly overcast, and a mist covered much of the mountain. We decided to do a classic grade 12 called 'Staircase' above Camps Bay. Towards the end of the climb, the mist cleared up, providing an excellent view of Table Bay, Sea Point, Camps Bay, through to Cape Point. We continued up to the Tea Room, took some pictures to prove we were there, and started down immediately, as it was getting late and a major hike down the mountain still awaited us. Two pretty spectacular abseils took us to the base of the 'Staircase', and we headed out, reaching the car at approximately 8 pm, in the dark.

After a day of rest, we visited Peer's Cave and Schoorsteenkop on two consecutive days. At Peer's Cave we did a few sport (bolted) routes, but nothing impressive, as the walls we climbed are not that high. Schoorsteenkop provided higher routes, and we managed a 17/18 called 'Stairway to Heaven', and a 17 called 'Shining Way'.

After another rest day, we decided to finish off our trip by climbing a naturally protected (i.e. not bolted) route called 'Not just a pretty face' (grade 13) at Muizenberg crag. An excellent climb, and a wonderful way to end the trip.

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Some of the climbing areas

Lion's Head Granite	Table Mountain	Muizenberg Crag

The Climbs

	A picture of Hein on 'Staircase' (grade 12) on Table Mountain. The climb is technically easy, but fairly exposed. Note the mist covering the mountain...		Walter doing the traverse thing - above the mist (also Table Mountain).
	Hein on the way down Table Mountain (late afternoon sun).		Walter on 'Shining Way' (grade 17) at Schoorsteenkop.
	Walter leading 'Angry Face' (grade 17) on Lion's Head Granite.		Hein on 'Silhouette Crack' (grade 14), also Lion's Head Granite.
	Hein at the top of Stairway to Heaven" (grade 17/18)		Walter halfway up "Stairway to Heaven"

Hein redpointing 'Bonar' (grade 20) at The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Waterval Boven.

Rather than supply an endless list of climbing related links, I will include a couple of (international) climbing indices. However, a section on South African climbing links is included because no reasonably comprehensive list seem to exist.

	Wits University Mountain Club		Rhodes University Mountain Club
	SA Climbing Info Network		Ntaba Moutaineering
	Blouberg route guide		Baviaanspoort route guide
	Restaurant route guide		Magaliesberg climbing
	Grahamstown climbing		Natal climbing

	Ross Simpson's RockList		The Climbing Archive
	Big Wall Climbing		Climbing magazine online