Jacob's Ladder

A brilliant route. One of the most climbed routes on Table Mountain. Very photogenic. "Jacob's Ladder seemed to us to be a good name for a climb, and we decided to set about finding a climb for it; one of a high standard and worthy of the name." M. Mamacos 1952 MCSA Journal

Jacob's Ladder

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FA:

1953

FFA:

Overview

Approach

(click the GAIA icon for GPX)

Approach:

Gain the far left-hand end of the Staircase ledge by stepping up onto a higher foot ledge and traversing around the corner finally stepping down to a tree.

Descent

Crag Descent:

Fountain Ledge

Sector Descent:

Staircase Ledge

Route Description

Gain the far left-hand end of the Staircase ledge by stepping up onto a higher foot ledge and traversing around the corner finally stepping down to a tree.

‍12m '14': From the tree, climb the white recessed face to a ledge under the overhang.‍
35m '16': Pull into the overhanging crack (awkward) and climb this. At the top, step right and using face holds climb 3m up to the horizontal rail. (For photo opportunities, make a hanging stance here). Traverse right along this to just before the corner. Pull up into a vertical crack system and climb this to a small ledge.‍
20m '15': From the left-hand end of the ledge climb up the face, pulling through a little bulge at the top, to the large ledge.

Scramble through the final rock band to the cable station.

‍

Gallery Info:

Looking down on the 1st pitch (direct start) from the "small overhang stance"
Looking down on the direct variation gaining the "main rail hanging stance"
Looking onto the leader gaining the crack-system after the "Main Traverse"

Alternate Description

Slightly harder than the original, but with consistently better climbing with better movement.
If your rope-work and skill level permits, combine P1&P2 and P3&P4.

Rather than starting in the gully, by the tree, start at the extreme left edge of The Staircase Ledge (left edge beneath Jeopardy wall)

‍12m '14': Climb the left arête/face for 5m, step left into the white shallow recess (gear) and then directly up to the ledge under a small roof (stepping left from the cavern).
‍20m '16': Gain the overhanging crack above by rounding the small roof on the left (high-step off the ledge) and then stepping back right once immediately above the belay.
1. Continue up the crack, to the rail
2. Move right 3m along the rail
3. Then up the featured face to the main rail (there is a good hanging stance with an obvious sling-wrap as 1 point in front of you)‍
15m ‘16’: The classic pitch.
1. Rail right until near the edge, use a hidden letterbox side-pull to gain the upper vertical crack system
2. Follow this to a narrow ledge, belaying in the “bucket”‍
15m ‘18’: From the stance go straight up face
1. on small holds to the overlap (10m)
2. step left to gain the exit crack
3. Belay on the edge of the ledge
Scramble to the top.

This option can be climbed in an awesome 2 pitch sustained option by combinging (P1+P2) and (P3+P4)

Tips & Tricks

Video

Featured Gallery

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Drakensberg Grading

French / South African

YDS

D

E1

E2

E3

F1

F2

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9

3

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Interactive Icons

GAIA GPS

Click to see the GPX track.
Requires GAIA GPS App

Google Maps

Click to see the Parking Area . Requires
Google Maps

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.

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