The crags north facing aspect and decent overhang make it a place to visit on those rainy or overcast days but the surrounding hillsides allow shaded morning and late afternoon climbing. This crag gets double the sun as it has a large pool of water under it that reflects sun onto the wall, bring your sunblock!
With 14 routes ranging from 21/6b+ to 25/7a+, Platform is a great moderate crag. The routes are all gently overhanging with big rounded jugs and slopers. Bring a brush as it can sometimes get greasy from humid conditions thanks to the river.
The base is actually very comfortable but does narrow the further left you go. Using a long sling to clip the belayer in is recommended or stick-clipping the first bolt; otherwise you may find yourselves in the drink.
Please do not relieve yourself near the water-source.
If you do decide to climb here on a sunny day be sure to bring your bathing-suit, you will be swimming.
When being lowered off and cleaning certain routes, a climber may need to be thrown a rope to be pulled back onto the platform. Take care when pulling your rope after cleaning that it does not fall into the river below. Some routes have perma-biners halfway to ease this process, do not booty them.
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 to a hill that overlooks the dam to your left. Once you reach the top of the hill turn off to the left as it starts to go downhill. You will walk over the back of the crag and reach a shallow gully which is opposite a large rock face coming out of the river. Scramble down and follow the river upstream. Platform will appear on your right.
To view the crag do not turn off the path after climbing the hill. Continue to walk down the path for a minute or two. Stop and turn to the left to view Platform and The Beach crags for an understanding of where you are trying to get to.
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