by Deidre Pieters
pic by Garrreth Bird
RAM Mountaineering has just hosted the 13th edition of the Black Diamond Tradathon. As an event organiser, I have now celebrated my 10th Tradathon, and one thing has become abundantly clear: no two are ever the same.
The weather changes. The routes change. The faces in camp change. New climbers arrive, seasoned climbers return, and each year brings its own stories and memorable moments.
But some things never change.
The stoke. The laughter around the braai. The excitement of tying into a route you’ve dreamed about for years. The friendships formed over shared ropes and nervous leads. The joy of watching someone place their first piece of gear or step beyond a comfort zone they never thought they’d leave behind.
That is the heart of the Tradathon.
For those unfamiliar with the event, the Tradathon is difficult to define because it doesn’t fit neatly into any category. It isn’t a rock rally. It isn’t a climbing competition. It isn’t even just a social gathering.
The Tradathon is a celebration. A celebration of traditional climbing, of the remarkable places climbing takes us, and most importantly, of the community that makes it all possible.
For many climbers, The Tradathon serves as an entry point into the world of traditional climbing. For others, it is a place to reconnect with old friends, discover new routes, and continue a lifelong journey of learning. It is a support system for climbers of every level – a good belay when you need one, a safe catch when things get exciting, and sometimes the unexpected beta that changes everything.
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