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Recounting that strange period - 2020 - where everything shut-down yet, in some cases, everything opened up (empty)...to those who went looking.
A Pandemic Adventure
A Pandemic Adventure

Recounting that strange period - 2020 - where everything shut-down yet, in some cases, everything opened up (empty)...to those who went looking.

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Cheat Codes

Delving deep into an Alpinist's Bag Of Tricks on Mt Kenya

If pictures could talk... Having been stopped on our first attempt we returned to The Diamond Couloir with a full bag of tricks and a revised attitude of being prepared to do what it takes

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Cheat Codes

If Pictures could talk

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12 Tips for Solo Female Travellers

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By
Trystan Firman
Adventure

Climb & Fly

A new "hybrid" mini wing out for its first public display of usability in the desert climbing hub of Rum where the team of three climbed up walls and flew down to the valley.

December 9, 2021
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By
Jeff Ayliffe
Adventure

Air Zimbabwe

Alois Marume left Zimbabwe in search of a better life, a life with opportunities and meaning. This would be a flight of fancy for Alois.

December 9, 2021
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When it comes to hiking footwear, is it as simple as traditional versus new age?
Mark Johnston

Are leather hiking boots dead?

October 12, 2022

Is it time to retire our trusty leather clompers? Or do they still have a place in our hearts and on our hikes? Our resident gear expert, Mark Johnston has the answer.

Photographer Schwankhart's striking images capture the quiet "dialogue" between boulders
Marianne Schwankhart

The Magaliesburg: A Photographer's Canvas

March 18, 2023

Walking around the gentle slopes and boulder fields in different seasons, time of day and weather, presented the same shapes but with different graphic elements that intrigued me. Breaking the rule of shooting, I embraced the mid-day sun. Shadows revealed texture in the form of images.

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

October 16, 2022

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.

Trip report for Gxalingenwa Waterfall Trail
Chloe Lennox

Gxalingenwa Waterfall Trail

July 15, 2025

A gorgeous little hike meandering up the Gxalingenwa River to the spectacular Gxalingenwa Waterfall. Easy enough for non-hikers to experience, beautiful enough for even experienced, serious hikers to enjoy the outing.

Latest Climbing Crag TOPO Updates
Small crag with intermediate sport route options grades 20-22 on average and one 25.
Fever Ward
Bushman's Lair is the central hub of climbing in Green Valley, as the closest of the sectors to parking and the most densely populated in terms of boulders and routes alike
Bushman's Lair Sector
A vertical wall at the opening of the Gorge
Edge of Time
Latest Climbing Route TOPO Updates
Charlie Brown
Ongoye Forest Nature Reserve
Drum Direct
Ongoye Forest Nature Reserve
5a / 15
5a / 15
Drum
Ongoye Forest Nature Reserve
4b / 13
4b / 13
Black Widow
Ongoye Forest Nature Reserve
5a / 15
5a / 15
Zig Zag (Ongoye Slabs)
Ongoye Forest Nature Reserve
3 / 10
3 / 10
Plectranthus
Ongoye Forest Nature Reserve
3 / 10
3 / 10
Cuckoo
Ongoye Forest Nature Reserve
3 / 10
3 / 10
Green Goblin
Ongoye Forest Nature Reserve
3+ / 11
3+ / 11
Jugs
Ongoye Forest Nature Reserve
3 / 10
3 / 10
Farmers Daughter
Ongoye Forest Nature Reserve
3 / 10
3 / 10
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Bill Tucker

Bill Tucker is a Professor of Computer Science at Stellenbosch University whose research explores community-based co-production (CBCP) of technologies.

Catie Monteiro

Following six years abroad as a journalist for NBC News, Catie focuses her time on climbing boulders and growing her YouTube channel F8 Bouldering. 

Chloe Lennox

A provincial track medalist during her high school years, Chloe is transferring her natural athleticism to the mountains. A regular sight running the trails, she can also be found dancing up the rock.

Chris Allan

Chris is a physiotherapist, endurance athlete and climber. Passionate about the mountains, on most weekends he can be found exploring boulders with his son around CT and Rocklands

Jeff Ayliffe

Jeff is equally at home under a canopy in the sky, on a board in the water or climbing rocks. He has spent the past 32 years working in media as a photographer, MC and sports radio journalist.

Kathryn Fourie

A love of adventurous outdoor sports, organic food and a graduate of Rhodes' School of Journalism, Kath's writing and adventures have taken her places - and brought those into your living room .

Marianne Schwankhart

A true adventurer with endeavours justifying a wikipedia page, Marianne is the unassuming over-achiever both in adventure climbing and professional photography.

Mark Johnston

Fusing his inner gear nerd, passion for the outdoors and writing, it is no surprise that Mark's gear reviews are bar-settingly informative, useful - and practical.

all authors
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Trystan Firman
A Dystopian Utopia
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Chloe Lennox
Gxalingenwa Waterfall Trail
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Bill Tucker
How To Smear In The Hills
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Trystan Firman
Climb & Fly
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Jeff Ayliffe
Air Zimbabwe
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Trystan Firman
Cheat Codes
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Chris Allan
Never Waste a Good Climbing Injury
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Catie Monteiro
Photographing a classic Matt Climber "hang 10"
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Serina D
12 Tips for Solo Female Travellers
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