Cape Vertical

Cape Vertical I am a rock climbing guide in the Western Cape, South Africa. I guide both Traditional and Sport climbing.

All levels of climbing experience are catered for, and I offer introduction courses.

09/03/2026

I think there are a few options, maybe FB has me confused with someone who is interested in rubbish or they really wanna promote all this rubbish or there is mostly rubbish on FB.

09/03/2026

Another weekend bolting. On Saturday Tony Lourens and I set up anchors on new lines via one of our previous routes. This was not as easy as we had hoped. I ended up aiding a few moves just to keep progress steady. By the time we finished with Tony's route I was a bit tired to carry on with mine. So Sunday morning I was back in the kloof by 6:40 and had my route dune and dusted by 9:30. I hung out with a few people at the crags and headed home at about 13:00 for lunch with Mia.

08/03/2026

How many times must you tell Facebook you're not interested in the BS that they are pushing. It's really not worth sticking around.

26/02/2026

This morning was a predawn start to get the cool conditions. Tony Lourens and I set out to bolt at 5:30. After spending over a month to bolt Electric Burn it felt like cheating being home by 11 am, with the route bolted and open. It goes at about grade 19 and is called
G Sharp. Jazz Corner is really worth a visit. Thanks to the people who have sponsored bolts. Next I hope to do a two pitch route that may require some more effort to open.

I am experiencing first hand the expression, to stick out like a sore thumb. I stopped a gate from opening by wedging th...
24/02/2026

I am experiencing first hand the expression, to stick out like a sore thumb. I stopped a gate from opening by wedging that most loved opposing digit between the gate and its support post. Needless to say my thumb came out second best. Now everything is on hold for a day or two till the thumb can bend and isn't sticking out so much.

21/02/2026

Started the scouting for new bolting project today. Some areas are so deceptive you have to get up close and personal to figure things out. So out came the trusty trad rack. After a shaky start my head clicked into trad mode and had a blast going up this prominent arête/rib. Good gear good partner and Cogmans casting a shadow to keep the temperature down. There are three pitches so I'll call it Electric Tricycle. Grade 16.

20/02/2026

I've located the last of various hanger purchases over the years. It's a little trip down my bolting history. One Sky hanger from Fort Fordyce days (+-2008). A Fixe hanger I bought from the Hot Rock over Lander truck in 2010. Two from John Alexander's collection that took a long trip via a few cupboards and bags in the EC. Then for my 50th birthday I requested bolts for gifts. This brings me to my latest request for sponsorship. 12 bolts and hangers from Dion and Cailin Human. Thanks Everyone for your support. Electric Burn is still waiting for a second assessment and grade confirmation. Watch this space for another route soon.

It was a crazy early start on Sunday. Crazy for a few reasons. One, we arrived at locked gates and had to wait for an ho...
02/02/2026

It was a crazy early start on Sunday. Crazy for a few reasons. One, we arrived at locked gates and had to wait for an hour. Two, the sun was on everything we wanted to climb. Three, seeing the moon like that made me feel a certain way that I don't often feel. Paarl however was as dramatic as always. My slab technique is so rusty there were some holes showing. But we made it to several sets of anchors and chalked it all up to a learning experience. Maybe we'll seek out a cooler time to go back.

Today was supposed to be the last time I went on Electrical Burn as a work trip. The mission was simply to retrieve the ...
24/01/2026

Today was supposed to be the last time I went on Electrical Burn as a work trip. The mission was simply to retrieve the static. Unfortunately I noticed some stuff I'd like to address so one more trip it will have to be.

The first weekend I ever went climbing ED Feb happened to be there. I later realised what a special privilege that was. ...
22/01/2026

The first weekend I ever went climbing ED Feb happened to be there. I later realised what a special privilege that was. So last weekend when he came along to see me open my new route on Cogmans, I left my socks on. Climbing shoes and socks as a small tribute to the legend. The advice he gave me on that first day still stays with me.
The route goes at 23. There are 4 pitches and it has shade till 12 in summer .
Thanks to Josh Swinney and Petr Pretorius for the belaying and a big thanks to Garrrreth Bird for the pictures.

I've started a FB page for my Cape Vertical guiding. please check it out.
21/01/2026

I've started a FB page for my Cape Vertical guiding. please check it out.

Over the last few weeks, I've been working on a new route here in Montagu. This is the biggest route I've bolted, and it...
21/01/2026

Over the last few weeks, I've been working on a new route here in Montagu. This is the biggest route I've bolted, and it may be the most exciting yet. I'll share a few random videos of the process.
I heard someone saying adventure is embarking on a journey with an uncertain outcome. Well, I was quite certain that this outing would see me tuck tail and run, but I took the tumble and managed to stick the landing.

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7 Hopital Street
Montagu
6720

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