In This Issue
SA Mountain 87 | Dec 2023 – February 2024
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 Who’s on the end of your rope? I try to find a reasonably comfortable …
Dragon’s Tale – A mystical creature once lost but now found
by Ollie Esplin Once upon a time in a land not so far away there was a young maiden. At birth, she was christened The Gordian Edge. She was a via ferrata, a one-of-a-kind, raised by a small group of unsung heroes in the mountain-loving community. She was a Mystical Creature, original and unique, rising …
Will Gadd on SA Ice
by Colin McCoy In July this year a small group of us had the privilege of hosting Canadian ice and mixed climber, Will Gadd, for a whirlwind 10-day climbing trip in the Drakensberg. This all came about when Tim Larsen commented on an Instagram post of Will’s, about how short the South African ice climbing …
An Instant of Joy
Legendary South African climber and mountaineer, Andy de Klerk, relates his account of his solo ascent of the Eiger’s infamous North Wall. I took a deep breath as I passed the bronze plaques bolted to the wall just above the bergschrund. Dawn had just broken a thin crack of red on the horizon, and there …
SA Mountain 86 | Sept-Nov 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 Does climbing ever leave us? This is an editorial I wrote 10 years ago. …
Honeymooning on Ama Dablam
by Julia Wakeling Bird While debating where we would like to spend our honeymoon, Garrreth excitedly suggested Ama Dablam, a majestic Himalayan mountain. Wholly disbelieving in my ability to climb such an intimidating icy peak, I was not so keen. Just looking at pictures of it terrified me.Very slowly, over time, I came around to …
The Moai – Sacred Site Southeast Tasmania
by Dave Barnes Tasmania is one hell of an Island. Before time was measured, indigenous folk roamed its abundant coast. They called it Lutruwita. More recently, white folk came seeking to build wealth by establishing foreign kingdoms. They called it Van Diemens Land. Today, a smattering of people from every corner of the world call …
Classic Climb – Last Moon
by Paul Fatti Area: Blouberg North Wall, Limpopo ProvinceFirst Ascent: Paul Fatti and Art McGarr, July 1978Route grade: 19Length of route: Approx. 350 metresNumber of pitches: 11Approach: Car to campsite 3 to 4 hours, campsite to climb 1.5 hoursClimbing time: 6 to 8 hours for a party of twoDescent time: 1.5 hoursBest time of year: …
Black Diamond Tradathon 2023
by Garvin Jacobs The 10th edition of the Black Diamond Tradathon finally made its way to the Eastern Cape. Morgan Bay, with its balmy mid-winter days, ample accommodation and incredible sea cliff climbing simply outclassed the other contenders to host this year’s event. Those in the know will tell you it wasn’t an easy choice, …
SA Mountain 85 | June – Aug 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 Winter is upon us As I am sitting here, in my little loft office …