Route Description - The Rasta Cave (Shongweni)
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.
In 1994 The Wave Cave was discovered and has fast become the centre of Natal's hard sport climbing. That is soon becoming a phenomenon of the past, with the opening of the Rasta Cave to Sport Climbing.
This is a venue to please those with STRONG fingers, but dont bring along your slab loving Granpa that can crank down on a featurless 70 degree washboard, in much the same way as the Wave Cave redifined South African steep climbing, the Rasta Cave redifines hard climbing. The routes are more (OH NO!!) overhanging than the Wave Cave, minus the jugs and footlocks. The holds mimic the famous crimpers of Hilton. The routes vary in length, short on the North and South extremities and longer in the center. The Rasta Cave also has some short vert walls on the South side, making room for easier lines. So bring the whole family. Hopefully bolting enthusiasm will remain at a level that will allow this to be a venue where beginners can have a good intro day to climbing; climbing and leading themselves, while getting an oppourtunity to see climbing at the kind of angle its meant to be. .
All routes have carabiner lower-offs but beware: these are leaver-biners so don't take king swings if you value your life! And please don't steal them guys - they're not much good anyway
Access has been a sensitive issue so please remove your quickdraws at the end of the day. Also please don't light fires or dig holes in the floor. Be particularly aware of litter
Project Richard Burroughs 24
First Ascent
Project Damian McHendry 19+
First Ascent
Dope on a Rope (29) [6B C] Long tricky and sustained. Claims the central
diagonal tendency accross the cave. Flashed once so far...
First ascent:
Roger Natrass, 1996
Gurana (29) [6B C] Outstanding - not a walk in the park for 29!!.
First
ascent: David Olds,1996
SuperNova (30) [8B C] Next on your flash list - but do Gurana
first!
First ascent: Damian McHendry,1996
Project Erwin Blomeyer () [B C]
First ascent:
Project Nick de Carvalho () [B C]
First ascent:
Project Ewan Olds () [B C]
First ascent:
Hubbly-bubbly Project Paul Brouard (19+) [5B C]
First ascent
Jays 19 (19) [7B C] The first of the "slabs". Back in the days when This
and That wall was steep, this wouldn't have been called a slab. Good value,
despite the daunting block in the middle
First ascent: Jayren Taljaard,
1996
Melange (14) [4B C] Whats this about no-one in his right mind
bolting.....OK so I own up in this case. Brings the full traditional
experience home to beginners with the attraction of bolts. Well protected with
a nice off width that cowards can use as a layback, heel hooking for the
adventurous, the tiniest remote chance of getting sandy in the unlikely event
of runoff choosing to go down the crack. A real classic.
First ascent:
Marcel Viljoen, 1996
Nick nok (15) [5B C] Fun. Scramble up to the ledge past the first bolt of
Melange. People have fallen of the ledge (hey, Nick!!?), so be warned - so far
its just been funny - climbs the face with an interesting finish if you leave
out the hidden bucket.
First ascent: Nick De Carvalho, 1996