AM Shade
Special
Overhang
Double

The West Face stretches from the Gendarme on climbers left, to the Neck between Sentinel and Beacon Buttress on the right. The face is in shade until the afternoon and is often cold to start with. Water is not commonly found, so should be carried from the car.

The Standard route is probably the most climbed rock route (requiring a rope) in The Drakensberg and can be combined with McLeod's Variation to the summit. Angus Lepan is likely the most climbed Trad Route in The Drakensberg and can be linked with the West Ridge of the Gendarme for an extended alpine adventure.

MCM is a welcome addition to the face, bringing bolted alpine sport to the face along with an alternative (rappel) descent.

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

Approach

Approach af for the Chain Ladders from Sentinel Car Park.

West Ridge of Gendarme, Angus Lepan, MCM and Blood on the Rocks all start at the head of the Gendarme Gully, which is a steep walk from the path c60m after rounding the North most spur on the Path.

The standard route is accessed from the Neck between Sentinel and Beacon Buttress, but can be accessed via Angus Lepan as well.

Descent

Descend the standard route, or abseil/rappel MCM

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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.