AM Shade
PM Shade
Single Pitch
60m
Overhang
Overhang
Powerful
Vert
Technical

Aspect and Weather

Pipe Bridge is north facing so should receive sun all day, but the sides of the gorge cast long shadows in the morning and afternoon which serve as great times to climb. In winter when its cold, the warm sun makes being at the crag totally bearable. A good place to climb when its overcast but not in the rain.

Climbing

Most routes at Pipe Bridge are vert and technical, requiring a person to stand on their feet and hold crimps. This is all but the left-most routes that go through the two metre roof which are more powerful but still have a large technical aspect.

Base

The base is generally quite flat and comfortable. The river that runs next to the crag is perfectly drinkable. This area has been overrun by wattle in recent years, please feel free to destroy them

This area of Van Stadens is significantly wilder than the rest of it. Keep a lookout for small antelope, porcupine and other wild animals.

Please do not relieve yourself near the water-source.

Best mountain footwear for hiking, approach or mountain running in South Africa

Approach

From the parking follow the dirt road passed some houses on your left, the road turns to a 4x4 track. Follow this track into the gorge as it turns to a steep concrete road. Walk down the road, passed the water pump-house and down the stairs. Head upstream up a small ladder and onto a small dam wall. Follow the wall left, turning right off the wall onto a narrow track and follow this track staying left of the river for around 200m. Climb the 3 concrete steps on a rocky slab and then cross the river after about 10m on some large rocks. Track right of the pools and up the right side of the slab ramp. After another 30/40m keep an eye for a path on the right side that traverses up the large hill in front of you. The path takes you up a hill that overlooks the dam to your left. Follow the path over the hill and down the other side until you reach a pipe carrying bridge. Scramble down toward the bridge and then down a small ladder. At the riverbed go up river crossing it once. Pipe Bridge will be on your right after about 150m.

Descent

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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.