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In June of this year Mel Janse van Rensburg clipped the chains of Speed Intégrale in Switzerland, becoming the first South African to climb 9a. It took the 20-year-old climber 22 days over three seasons to send the route – his greatest climbing achievement since taking down South Africa’s hardest sport route, Mazawattee (8c+) in 2020.
22 days of projecting spread across 3 seasons, this is the story of the first 9a to be climbed by a South African
22 days of projecting spread across 3 seasons, this is the story of the first 9a to be climbed by a South African

In June of this year Mel Janse van Rensburg clipped the chains of Speed Intégrale in Switzerland, becoming the first South African to climb 9a. It took the 20-year-old climber 22 days over three seasons to send the route – his greatest climbing achievement since taking down South Africa’s hardest sport route, Mazawattee (8c+) in 2020.

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22 days of projecting spread across 3 seasons, this is the story of the first 9a to be climbed by a South African
Catie Monteiro

The first South African to send 9a

November 24, 2024

In June of this year Mel Janse van Rensburg clipped the chains of Speed Intégrale in Switzerland, becoming the first South African to climb 9a. It took the 20-year-old climber 22 days over three seasons to send the route – his greatest climbing achievement since taking down South Africa’s hardest sport route, Mazawattee (8c+) in 2020.

What does it take to win a 160km adventure race? An Interview with X-Berg Challenge winner, Robyn Johnson
Kathryn Fourie

Interview with an X-Berg Challenge Winner

November 24, 2024

The X-Berg Challenge is a "truely unique" event. Runners, cyclists and paragliders all race against each other in the Drakensberg mountains. Up against some of the best athletes in their descplines trail runner, Robyn Johnson came out on top. Her friend and fellow competeitor Kath Fourie caught up with her to hear about her race.

Falling out of the Sky, deliberately.
Trystan Firman

Freebasing

August 20, 2023

In the Death Sport Capital of the World, finding new ways to nearly die is a regular occurrence. My friend Mike is an Acro Pilot; he is, also, enthusiastic to share his realm, and sometimes it is difficult to pass up an opportunity to experience fringe sports like ACRO and BASE when one is neither an Acro Pilot nor a BASE jumper.

As a committed boulderer who is terrified of heights, Catie swore she'd never trad climb. And yet, one day she found herself crying in the rain on Jacob's Ladder.
Catie Monteiro

Overcoming fear and expectation through trad climbing

July 31, 2023

As a committed boulderer who is terrified of heights, Catie swore she'd never trad climb. And yet, one day she found herself crying in the rain on Jacob's Ladder. Catie reflects on the frustrations of being a beginner again and how trad climbing ultimately helped her confront her fears and surrender to the unknown.

Latest Climbing Crag TOPO Updates
Exceedingly beautiful setting with short, easy approaches and soft flat bases.
The Old Lodge
Home to one of the finest routes at Monteseel! Easy Access and similarly good routes to the Pin-Up sector make the Lower Middle Buttress a great alternative.
Monteseel Middle Buttress
Taller and offering the possibility of late afternoon shade, The Western Buttress offers slightly more seclusion and more multi pitch options.
Monteseel Western Buttress
Latest Climbing Route TOPO Updates
Right-hand Line
Sehlebathebe
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Groveling for Gloryhole
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7a
7a
Mantle my Manhood
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6c
6c
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Sehlebathebe
6b+
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Sehlebathebe
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7a
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