Beacon Buttress North

The Buttress between The Chain Ladder and Sentinel offers a handful of alpine rock routes and the most wild Via Ferrata

Robyn Johnson on the final section, Via Ferrata, Beacon Buttress. 📸 Trystan Firman

Route Topo of The Via Ferrata, Beacon Buttress.

Beacon Buttress North

The Buttress between The Chain Ladder and Sentinel offers a handful of alpine rock routes and the most wild Via Ferrata

Route Topo of The Via Ferrata, Beacon Buttress.

Beacon Buttress North

The Buttress between The Chain Ladder and Sentinel offers a handful of alpine rock routes and the most wild Via Ferrata

AM Shade
Special
Overhang
Double
General
Climbing
Key

Easy access from Sentinel car park, the trad routes on the buttress are seldom climbed (Routes on Sentinel tend to be better quality, and have a real summit), but the Via Ferrata is incredible.

Salewa Via Ferrata equipment available in South AfricaSalewa Via Ferrata equipment available in South Africa
Accommodation in the Drakensberg Amphitheatre near The Chain LaddersAccommodation in the Drakensberg Amphitheatre near The Chain Ladders

Approach

Approach af for the Chain Ladders from Sentinel Car Park. Beacon Buttress begins at the neck between Sentinel and the Escarpment proper, and extends North/Northwest to the Chain Ladders. Each route will have more specific beta.

Descent

Down the Chain Ladder, or Descent gully (the first gully after the neck).

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Trad
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Boullder
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Salewa Via Ferrata equipment available in South AfricaSalewa Via Ferrata equipment available in South Africa
Best mountain footwear for hiking, approach or mountain running in South AfricaBest mountain footwear for hiking, approach or mountain running in South Africa
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Icons and Symbols

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.