Rock climbing at Van Stadens

After a couple of recent posts (including Wildflower Reserve Trails and Under Van Stadens Bridge)that covered the Van Stadens area, I received an email from Derek Marshall with a couple of pictures.  They were about, as he puts it, one of the more unknown aspects of PE.  Rock climbing. 

 

I did a quick bit of research and found the following.  The Van Stadens River Gorge have 154 sport routes ranging from grade 17 to grade 34.  There are a couple of spots around the historic Narrow Gauge Bridge but most of the quality bolted routes can be found around Cleopatra's Wall.  From the looks of it there isn't a lot of options out there for beginners while it seems the hardest route in the Eastern Cape, "Troll", can also be found there. 

 Anybody wanting more information regarding rock climbing around Port Elizabeth can contact Derek Marshall at marshall@gsaafrica.co.za or visit the Mountain Club of South Africa - Eastern Cape section.