Nodes in Africa

The best climbing area faces the Game City shopping complex (with it’s own defunct climbing wall). There are three main areas and several anchors and bolted routes.

This area is above and to the left of the black rocks and the climbs are longest at the left hand side facing the rock and shortest at the right as the height tapers to nothing.

Avoids the crux of 'Thoko' to the left

Climbed on top rope only.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

Climbed on top rope only.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

Climbed on top rope only.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

Off width crack

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

A lower dark band of cliffs which contains the longer climbs. There is a distinctive triple chin on the right hand buttress. Further right is a gully with a path up to the red rocks and further right still is another tower of similar coloured rock with more climbing.

There is a distinctive triple chin on the right hand buttress, in between a deep recess on the left, and a gully on the right leading to Red Rocks..

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

Halfway up the ascent gully on the left hand side there is a smaller gully in the rock which may be ascended to chains at the top.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

To the right of the gully leading to Red Rocks.

Climbed on top rope only.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

Climbed on top rope only.

Climbed on top rope only.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

Climbed on top rope only.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

This is higher up and to the right of the red and black areas and is the longest walk in. Gets very hot on a summer afternoon.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

The rocks are sometimes used by traditional churches, please act respectfully.

"But after hours of rumbling, an "island" appeared out of nowhere, Kubu Island. Huge baobab trees provide shade here. Surreal to find an oasis in the alien environment. At the edge of the island there were rocks up to 7m high, so we unpacked our climbing shoes and did gymnastics on the blocks. A quirky place for bouldering. You feel small on small stones, which creates an absurd feeling when climbing." (report German climbing expedition, see magazin 04/2022, page 34)

Thaba Qiloane is an iconic sand stone tower located just a few kilometers past the Thaba Bosiu Cultural Center. After passing the cultural center, keep an eye out to the right and you can't miss it.

Start on the Southeast side of the mountain at a large orange flake.

Pitch 1 Starts at 3m flake crack which leads up to a groove. Up groove to belay on grass ledge. Short pitch with good view of following party at the belay ledge.

Pitch 2 Along grass ledge to prominent chimney on right, climb chimney to chock stone at crest. Chimney can easily be soloed. A fun variation exists on the face of the tower which allows for some fun and exposed moves. Be aware of loose choss. Especially since there will most likely be local children watching from below.

Pitch 3 Up awkward corner above to platform below summit block. Or easier rising traverse to left then up. Climb left-hand arête to summit. Or as 'North Face Route' Descend the same way you come up, or use the bolted anchor to abseil to a ledge with a large tree and cactus. A 70 meter rope will allow for a single abseil to the bottom, or a 60 meter rope will require re-rigging at the tree. Use good rope practices while rappelling and avoid getting your rope lodge in any slots during retrieval.

Parking is available in the village at the base of the mountain, however it would be extremely disrespectful to not speak with anyone from the village. They may charge a few for parking. Paying the fee will ensure that the locals look after your rig. Basotho are very welcoming people, using the land is a privilege. Be respectful.

Parking is available in the village at the base of the mountain, however it would be extremely disrespectful to not speak with anyone from the village. They may charge a few for parking. Paying the fee will ensure that the locals look after your rig. Basotho are very welcoming people, using the land is a privilege. Be respectful.

Parking is available in the village at the base of the mountain, however it would be extremely disrespectful to not speak with anyone from the village. They may charge a few for parking. Paying the fee will ensure that the locals look after your rig. Basotho are very welcoming people, using the land is a privilege. Be respectful.

Parking is available in the village at the base of the mountain, however it would be extremely disrespectful to not speak with anyone from the village. They may charge a few for parking. Paying the fee will ensure that the locals look after your rig. Basotho are very welcoming people, using the land is a privilege. Be respectful.

Parking is available in the village at the base of the mountain, however it would be extremely disrespectful to not speak with anyone from the village. They may charge a few for parking. Paying the fee will ensure that the locals look after your rig. Basotho are very welcoming people, using the land is a privilege. Be respectful.

The large cliff a short walk away from the end of the tar road