Green Gullies
An iconic winter climb and traverse of the Mostertshoek Twins by Richard Schmidt A faint irritation disturbs the warm peaceful sleep. Getting more annoying now. Eyes open. Look at the alarm clock . . . What the #$&%*? The best sleep is always just before you have to wake up. Do I really feel like …
Sea Stack Climbing in Portugal
by Tony Lourens In March this year, we found ourselves lounging in chilled and laidback Portugal, and more specifically in the vibrant city of Lisbon and the beautiful surrounding countryside, staying with our very good friends, João and Teresa. They are long time climbers and know all the climbing areas well, so we were in …
Jakob Schubert pays a visit to DNA (9c)
It’s the world’s hardest lines that catch Jakob Schubert’s attention particularly fast. Ever since French rock climber Sebastién Bouin opened the route DNA in the Verdon Gorge in 2022 and proposed the grade 9c, 32-year-old Schubert couldn’t wait to make the trip to the steep wall of La Ramirole and lay his hands on one …
The North Face – Exploration convertible trousers (women’s)
Review by Patsy Lourens I’ve worn plenty of convertible trousers over the years, but TNF have taken things a step further with the new Explorations.Manufactured from durable water repellent nylon stretch fabric, these trousers have a nice ‘hugging’ close fit, with a slightly higher than normal waist. This, coupled with a belt closure through its …
The North Face – Borealis Backpack (27-litre women’s)
Review by Patsy Lourens I started off saying this pack is a hybrid, but actually it is way more than that. The Borealis is a multi-functional pack that fared excellently in the hills, as it does in the gym, on your bike, in the work place, a day in the city, or as your ultimate …
Petzl Tikka Core 450 Lumens
Review by Tony Lourens Another solid, reliable and very effective product from Petzl, the originator of the modern headlamp.The thing is, how does one improve on a headlamp which is already at the top of the game?What I like about the Tikka Core 450, is that it is a basic, no frills headlight that does …
SA Mountain 84 | March – May 2023
Read the editorial and check out the contents of the latest issue. With up-to-date news coverage, training articles, gear reviews, celebrity profiles, technical tips covering a wide variety of subjects, event reports, big glossy pics and enthralling articles. Read Online Editorial Climbing with Legends The world is full of climbing legends. Some are big names …
Confessions of a Dirtbag
by Tristan van der Merwe I’m a man. I’m a flawed man. Often driven by my many vices. I’m gripped by them, feeding them until I walk away injured, heartbroken or distressed. Some would say it’s a hedonistic compulsion of impulse and spontaneity.A pursuit of ego-driven self-indulgence. I mean, what more could a year-long climbing …
Classic Climbs: Amphitheatre Wall & Suspension Face, Elsie’s Peak
by Tony Lourens Two of the best easy multi-pitch routes in the country. My friend Paul and I were sitting in the train, the skin on our thighs sticking to the green vinyl seats and our clammy palms tightly gripping the edge of the open window as the 7.30 am train rolled into Sunnycove station. …
Kandertal – A Swiss Bouldering Paradise
by Niky Ceria Blausee is a marvellous turquoise lake in the heart of the Kander valley in the Swiss canton of Bern. The valley has seen many outdoor tourists in the last decades and most of them come to visit its special ice climbing spots or to enjoy other activities like via ferratas, skiing, sport …