General
Climbing
Hiking
Key

Located 150kms north of Durban, the Ongoye Hills are located 15km inland. The forest reserve is 4000 hectares of coastal forest and rolling grasslands with rocky outcrops. Originally an area for commercial logging in the early 1900s, the reserve is now considered an official conservation area since 1992. The reserve is easily accessible as a natures paradise and has granite boulders and slabs as an added bonus.

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The Reserve is home to a plethora of flora and fauna such as the Green Barbet, the Ongoye Red Squirrel, the Zululand Dwarf Chameleon and the Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon. Thus a brilliant spot for birding.

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Climbing

Unlike the usual sandstone crags most KZN climbers are used to, the Ongoye climbing offers granite boulders and slabs. There are two climbable boulders close to the office and granite slabs on the escarpment facing the sea. To avoid direct sun and the heat climb Barbet & Baboon boulders in the morning and then following the shade across to the Ongoye slabs in the afternoon. Routes range from 5m to 13m.

Ongoye Forest Nature Reserve

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Boulder
Sport
Trad
Big wall
Alpine
Ice
Granite boulders and slabs
20
min
-
1
hr
500
m ASL
AM Shade
PM Shade
Bouldering
Sport
Slab
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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.
A bold lead
A bold lead with potentially serious consequences (including a ground fall) to falling off.
Crime
Beware of high incidence of crime
Exposed Sections
Beware of exposed sections
Flooding
Be ware of localised flooding and swollen rivers & river crossings
Highball
Warning - Highball boulder
Lightning
Beware thunderstorms and lightning
Scramble Sections
Sections involve scrambling and may require a rope
Different Start & End Point
The starting and ending points for this adventure are at different locations and may require seperate transport.
Water Shortage
Water can be scarce, be sure to carry sufficient.