Route Description - Mount Everest (Harrismith)
Whilest every effort has been made to ensure that this information is correct, the author takes no responsibilites for the accuracy of the information. It is up to the user to ensure that he/she is climbing the correct route and that it is in his/her ability to do so safely.
Since new management took over the running of the farm (mid 1997) all the animals (which included both local fair, such as Waterbuck and mountain Zebra, as well as such oddities as Llamas) have been removed, as have the token MCSA discounts. However, in 'compensation', the roads are being improved, and such amenities as a bird-watch lapa cum braai facility are being erected. It is the opinion of the WebSlave, however, that the new conference building/resaurant could have been better sighted so as not to obstruct the view from the Ostrich Egg Boulder area as it will.
All routes are totally bolted with lower-offs and rock quality varies from superb to somewhat dubious. Walk-ins vary between 5 to 25 minutes but one will need a car to travel between the different crags.
To get there travel along the N1 north towards Harrismith. About 3km before Harrismith turn left to Verkykerskop and then follow the tar for about 13km before turning right onto dirt, from where it is 5km to the Mount Everest Game Reserve (tel: 05861 23493/21816). The entrance fee is R5 per person and camping is R25 per night (or R15 out of season,). To help decide where to climb there is a "New Routes Book" maintained at reception. There is a small shop where one can purchase all essentials.
Many people who have opened routes at Everest have attempted to use the French system, rather than the South African-Ewbank system (the one we all know and use everywhere else). It was an experiment aimed at 'eliminating prejudices' - but all it did was confuse people, and make them learn a very poor convesion between the South African-Ewbank and French systems. Thankfully (IMO -ed.) most people seem to now grade with the South African-Ewbank system. The grades below first have the psuedo-French grade (where applicable), then the South African grade after the semi-colon, with conversions based on Andrew de Klerk's table (MCSA Journal, 1985).
Bouldering has been developing on boulders too small to host bolted routes. While there are several very hard problems, there is much room for further development at all levels. PLEASE note that climbing and bouldering on the Bushman Boulders (where one parks for Refrigerator, Cyclops Cave, etc.) is still not allowed. This is the only restriction to our activities on the entire property, so please respect it!
Bonni Boulder (L to R)