Oudtshoorn Limestone

Oudtshoorn is South Africa's only limestone climbing venue. The climbing often has many tufas with pockets scattered here and there. Some lines are incredibly long, requiring at least a 70m rope, but many have alternative lower-off chains. The grade range varies from 5b to 8c but there is somewhat of an entry barrier as the best routes start at 6c.

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Access to the crags currently has no restrictions, but was compromised in the past due to bolting too near to bushman paintings. Interfering with the paintings is illegal and comes with a hefty fine.

Best climbing shoes, harnesses, boulder pads and quickdraws in South Africa

Oudtshoorn has great conditions year round but can get quite hot in Summer. With crags facing all aspects, there are many shady spots to pick depending on the time of day you wish to climb.

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Most people stay at De Hoek Campsite when climbing at Main Wall as it is walking distance from the crags and offers camping and chalets at reasonable rates. However there are many accommodations around depending on your taste and price range.

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Multi Pitch

Single Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Climbing Topo's for the crags and sectors at Main Wall, Oudtshoorn

Main Wall Crags

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

Where Oudtshoorns premiere tufa crag is

min

hours

750

m ASL

Single Pitch

Vert

Powerful

Technical

Overhang

Multi Pitch

Single Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Short Circuit

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

Very steep, almost roof tufa climbing

min

hours

750

m ASL

Single Pitch

Overhang

AM Shade

Multi Pitch

Single Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Boomplaas

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

Pocketed limestone climbing, on private land.

min

hours

750

m ASL

Single Pitch

Multi Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Initiation Walls

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

Uncharacteristicly slabby climbing.

min

hrs

740

m ASL

All Day Shade

AM Shade

All Day Sun

PM Shade

1 Pitch

2 Pitch

3 Pitch

4 Pitch

5 Pitch

6 Pitch

6+ Pitch

Std Rack

Special Gear

50m

60m

70m

80m

Double Rope

Face

Overhang

Powerful

Slab

Technical

Vert

Single Pitch

Multi Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Chick's Dig It

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

A handful of climbs, including 2 of Oudtshoorns most trafficked easier lines.

min

hrs

750

m ASL

All Day Shade

AM Shade

All Day Sun

PM Shade

1 Pitch

2 Pitch

3 Pitch

4 Pitch

5 Pitch

6 Pitch

6+ Pitch

Std Rack

Special Gear

50m

60m

70m

80m

Double Rope

Face

Overhang

Powerful

Slab

Technical

Vert

Single Pitch

Multi Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Boomplaas

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

Pocketed limestone on a south facing wall with a gorgeous farm setting.

min

hrs

m ASL

All Day Shade

AM Shade

All Day Sun

PM Shade

1 Pitch

2 Pitch

3 Pitch

4 Pitch

5 Pitch

6 Pitch

6+ Pitch

Std Rack

Special Gear

50m

60m

70m

80m

Double Rope

Face

Overhang

Powerful

Slab

Technical

Vert

Single Pitch

Multi Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Freedom Wall

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

A crag for those who wish to climb moderates and can persuade their strong friends to step away from Main Wall for a day.

min

hrs

750

m ASL

All Day Shade

AM Shade

All Day Sun

PM Shade

1 Pitch

2 Pitch

3 Pitch

4 Pitch

5 Pitch

6 Pitch

6+ Pitch

Std Rack

Special Gear

50m

60m

70m

80m

Double Rope

Face

Overhang

Powerful

Slab

Technical

Vert

Single Pitch

Multi Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Short Circuit Cave

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

STEEP tufa boxing, home to Oudtshoorn's king line Short Circuit.

min

hrs

750

m ASL

All Day Shade

AM Shade

All Day Sun

PM Shade

1 Pitch

2 Pitch

3 Pitch

4 Pitch

5 Pitch

6 Pitch

6+ Pitch

Std Rack

Special Gear

50m

60m

70m

80m

Double Rope

Face

Overhang

Powerful

Slab

Technical

Vert

Single Pitch

Multi Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Climbing Topo for Main cave at Oudtshoorn

Main Wall - Oudtshoorn

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

Tufa boxing awaits. Long endurance routes. A condender for SA's best sport climbing venue.

min

10.0

hrs

750

m ASL

All Day Shade

AM Shade

All Day Sun

PM Shade

1 Pitch

2 Pitch

3 Pitch

4 Pitch

5 Pitch

6 Pitch

6+ Pitch

Std Rack

Special Gear

50m

60m

70m

80m

Double Rope

Face

Overhang

Powerful

Slab

Technical

Vert

Single Pitch

Multi Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Behr Hug

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

A shorter cave crag that usually attracts the boulders who are affraid of Main Wall.

min

hrs

750

m ASL

All Day Shade

AM Shade

All Day Sun

PM Shade

1 Pitch

2 Pitch

3 Pitch

4 Pitch

5 Pitch

6 Pitch

6+ Pitch

Std Rack

Special Gear

50m

60m

70m

80m

Double Rope

Face

Overhang

Powerful

Slab

Technical

Vert

Single Pitch

Multi Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Watch Tower Walls

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

A handful of climbs at a moderate grade, for those want to avoid Main Wall crowds.

min

hrs

750

m ASL

All Day Shade

AM Shade

All Day Sun

PM Shade

1 Pitch

2 Pitch

3 Pitch

4 Pitch

5 Pitch

6 Pitch

6+ Pitch

Std Rack

Special Gear

50m

60m

70m

80m

Double Rope

Face

Overhang

Powerful

Slab

Technical

Vert

Single Pitch

Multi Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Blue Wall

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

Short, overhanging, tough limestone climbing. Bring your 'try-hard'!

min

hrs

750

m ASL

All Day Shade

AM Shade

All Day Sun

PM Shade

1 Pitch

2 Pitch

3 Pitch

4 Pitch

5 Pitch

6 Pitch

6+ Pitch

Std Rack

Special Gear

50m

60m

70m

80m

Double Rope

Face

Overhang

Powerful

Slab

Technical

Vert

Single Pitch

Multi Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Super Hero Walls

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

Overhanging climbing with some tufas and many projects for you to open!

min

hrs

750

m ASL

All Day Shade

AM Shade

All Day Sun

PM Shade

1 Pitch

2 Pitch

3 Pitch

4 Pitch

5 Pitch

6 Pitch

6+ Pitch

Std Rack

Special Gear

50m

60m

70m

80m

Double Rope

Face

Overhang

Powerful

Slab

Technical

Vert

Single Pitch

Multi Pitch

Single & Multi Pitch Options

Barrier Reef

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Boulder

Sport

Trad

Big wall

Alpine

Ice

Short, lesser climbed crag in need of some attention.

min

hrs

750

m ASL

All Day Shade

AM Shade

All Day Sun

PM Shade

1 Pitch

2 Pitch

3 Pitch

4 Pitch

5 Pitch

6 Pitch

6+ Pitch

Std Rack

Special Gear

50m

60m

70m

80m

Double Rope

Face

Overhang

Powerful

Slab

Technical

Vert

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AM Shade

Morning ; Afternoon ; All Day or NO Shade

10B | Ch

Equipped with x number of Bolts & Chains (lower off rings)

Alpine

Area's or routes located in mountainous regions and requiring multiple mountain skills (navigation ; extreme weather ; self sufficiency ; remote )

Ice

Area or Route requires Ice Climbing and associated Winter skills

Sport

Area or Route is fully equipped as a sport climb. Separate distinction for # of PITCHES

Sport & Trad

Area or Route is a mixture of SPORT & Trad climbing styles

Trad

Area or Route requires Traditional equipment and experties

2 Pitches

Indicates the typical # of pitches of the area or route

Special

Indicates that a specialised Rack or Traditional equipment is typically required and will be mentioned in the Route Description BETA

Standard

Indicates that typically a Standard Traditional Rack will suffice. Typically in ZA that is a 8-10 Cams + 10-15 wires/nuts.

50m

Indicates the minimum length rope needed to typically climb safely.

Double

Typically climbed using half ropes

Corner

Climbs or mostly climbs a corner system. This often requires stemming as a technique.

Crack Climb

Follows a crack-system predominantly and may require good jamming technique.

Overhang

Indicates the overall style. Face climbing is steeper than slab usually on small holds and edges, often feeling delicate / insecure.

Overhang

Overhanging, usually involving roofs.

Powerful

Powerful style is often in conjunction with another style but feeling more powerful than is common for the style.

Slab

Usually not quite vertical and requiring smearing and friction techniques.

Steep

Consistently steeper than Vertical but not overhanging / roof-y

Technical

Additional to general styles, requiring careful sequence and thoughtful climbing.

Vert

General vertical climbing with no other defining style.

Oudtshoorn Limestone

Oudtshoorn Limestone

Oudtshoorn Limestone

Main Wall Crags

Short Circuit

Boomplaas

Initiation Walls

Chick's Dig It

Boomplaas

Freedom Wall

Short Circuit Cave

Main Wall - Oudtshoorn

Behr Hug

Watch Tower Walls

Blue Wall

Super Hero Walls

Barrier Reef

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