In This Issue
The Collosseum
By Tristan van der Merwe My first glimpse of the Colosseum came courtesy of the Yellowwood Amphitheatre guidebook, which made a passing reference to a neighbouring “orange ‘sport’ amphitheater”. The description lodged in my mind, and on every drive to Yellowwood, I kept watch. Sure enough, several kilometres after emerging from the Huguenot Tunnel on …
Classic Tales: Desperate Times on Desperation Ridge
By Frederik and Katharien Bakker Every morning I make coffee for my wife, Katharien, in our house in Johannesdal. While the Bialetti brews, I look across the valley to the Drakenstein Mountains. These days they’re not so famous for climbing – the rock is dubious – yet they pull at you in a way that’s …
SA Mountain 94 | September – November 2025
Read the editorial and explore the latest issue—packed with fresh news coverage, expert training advice, in-depth gear reviews, celebrity features, hands-on technical tips, event reports, and stunning photography, all wrapped up in captivating articles. Read now Editorial Alone and ropeless – calculated feat or sheer madness? Every now and then free-solo climbing is brought to …
The Kyrgyzstan Affair – Sends and bails in the Karavshin Valley
By Richard Halsey Pic by Wesley Antonites “Kyrgyzstan?. . . Where’s that?”“Isn’t that where Tommy Caldwell and Beth Roddengot shot at by rebels?” These were common queries about our foray to the granite slab-lands of Central Asia. But our tale may (or may not) reveal answers to more pressing questions. How much can you shiver …
Mossel Bay – SA’s best sea-cliff climbing
By Dëon van Zyl It all started in 2019. I had already been living in Mossel Bay for a year and I was gradually transitioning from being a trad climber to becoming a sport climber. The reality had hit home that it was a long way to travel to Cape Town or the Cederberg for …
Black Diamond Tradathon 2025 – Monteseel
By Brad Inggs Photo by Brendan Kuhnert The Black Diamond Tradathon is an annual celebration of traditional climbing (trad) held at a different venue each year, and as such is a roving festival. Organised and run by Simon Larsen of RAM Mountaineering, the Tradathon was started in 2012. Simon’s vision is to foster a sense …
SA Mountain 93 | June – August 2025
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 – WHO’S IN CONTROL? What is climbing? I mean, what does climbing mean …
The Totem Pole – A natural monument of sacred climbing stories
words By Dave Barnespic by Simon Carter Tasmania is a weird place, akin to Jurassic Park with weird animals, psychotic weather, dark forests, and mountains that look like dinosaurs waiting to pop out from behind the peaks to eat you. Then there are the sea cliffs, giant escarpments of dolerite and granite that have stood …
Monteseel F3s
words by Gavin Raubenheimerpic by Photo Cesar de Carvalho Gerald inched up a little higher and gained the Thank God rail for a well needed rest; he then grabbed two medium hexes and shoved them into the gear-sucking crack. Soon it was evident that the rail was a working rest only; the crux was just …
Zaghouan – Sport Climbing in Tunisia
Words and pic Massimo Cappuccio When talking about climbing in north Africa, thoughts immediately turn to the Hoggar Mountains in Algeria or the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. However, little is known about Tunisia’s vertical landscapes. For many westerners, this country is primarily a destination for 4×4 desert trips or relaxing vacations on Mediterranean beaches. Yet, …
