Ascents by Wian van Zyl

Just thought I'd give this a burn on top rope while it was up. Had to take a rest halfway up. What a beast.

Incredible route, was belaying new people on the day so didn't have time for a lead send but even on top rope this was a gem.

Fun and varied climbing at the grade. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Decent route, found a little knee bar around the crux. Gear pre-placed.

Ah flip. I thought today would be the day we finally get on this.

A weekend of dogging 😂 this one caught me off guard. Its a good pumpy route. But that stopper move start is a mess 😂

Spoilers: off the rail there is nothing but that one foothold, match in the crimp just right of the draw and dyno out right to catch the next hold. Straight forward after that until you get to the big egg. Crimp on the right and the left of the egg then move out further left.

I though the egg felt too run out, quite scary.

Dogged again! I forgot how to do the crux 😂 such a good route. Roof to get you pumped, followed by a dyno/big dead point, then balance slab to finish.

Eep, pretty exposed route! Loved it, but it was more than I expected for my warm-up 😂 spoilers: it's blind but it's there!

Could not figure out how to get to the second bolt. Do you go far right along the crack then back left at the height of the second bolt?

Crouch start

A Cape Town classic. I still think it's a bit soft compared to other 21s (this was my first 21 and flashed it soon after I started climbing).

Took a fall at the crux, I think it's a brilliant crux. Always thought it was a bit skewed towards tall people, but today I finally found beta at the correct grade that made the reach up quite easy. Spoilers: Trick is to get your foot high on the left and go up using the rail as an underling. Very satisfying finally figuring this new beta out!

Fun route, going with 5c.

No way that start is 5c. MAYBE it is easier if you're very short.

Great route. Maybe a bit soft - much easier than Big Nose?

Much harder than Big Ears, no way they should be graded the same, I'm going with 6b. Dropped the last move - very sad.

Just a great crimpy committing climb.

Bit soft, but fun.

Yikes, maybe next time.

Feet high, RH and side-pull, then stand up, reach and hope.

A few attempts on this. Got close. tricky.

I think its an absolute gem at the grade.

Fun, bouldery. I think 21 if you climb along the bolts, felt 20 climbing along all the chalked up holds just to the right.

Must do if you're keen for short powerful route at grade 20/21

An easy (~17) to the upper crux (~21) of Minefield. Had to push hard at the end. Absolutely loved it. Note that I basically had to downclimb the route clean it.

A must do 18 at the crag. Slab into layback into overhang. Fun!

Oof, not sure about that grade unless you climb far left of the first two bolts. The rest is very soft.

Sad to say that I broke a foot hold at the bottom of the route I don't think its critical - I could still work the first few moves without the hold.

What a gem!

First 3/4 is brilliant (similar to Drop Zone but a bit harder). The end is pretty chilled. Well worth climbing.

It's a 17, didn't expect much but was pleasantly surprised. The top is fun and creative and should be a nice challange if this is your grade.

Climbed this again today. I actually think its an amazing route. Technical slab into a juggy overhang, what's not to like?

Lowest grade at main crag with proper steep limestone (which is what you climb here for).

Potentially a bit soft at 22, especially once you have the moves and rests dialed. A must do (even if you just dog up) for anyone who can climb ~20+ outdoors.

Send on the second go.

Wanted to try something more chilled before main. Should have just gone to main. Its a good route in itself, but the area has more to offer. Clipping the anchor was a bit awkward and missed the onsight opportunity.

First attempt

Hmm, I'm not sure why this route has such a bad rating in the guide book. I thought it was a fun short bouldery route like many others at the crag. Grade seems fair but could be tricky if you're very short.

Its all about that technical traverse at the start. I think its worth doing at the grade.

Oof that topout is rough

Didn't try too hard, big move

Great climb. Intimidating.