Trail 'ideal for rock climbing'

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Hot on the heels of climbing being added to the list of new sport codes presented for the first time at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this year, Mossel Bay now has its own offering for this type of adrenaline junkie.

If you thought the St Blaize trail was only a scenic stroll, think again. It is indeed an untapped rock climbing paradise, according to local climber and businessman, Deon van Zyl who, during lockdown last year, stumbled on this adventure treasure.

Van Zyl, who started climbing in the 1980s, for some years abandoned his chalk bag, but has been actively climbing again for the last 12 years.

During level 4 of the lockdown in 2020, he started exploring the cliffs on the St Blaize trail and found, to his amazement, pre-bolted routes.

"By the looks of it, five routes were first bolted in the '80s by an unknown climber, using expansion bolts."

Van Zyl explains that since, expansion bolts have been done away with, due to safety issues, and replaced with glue-in bolts.

With the help of the Anchor Replacement Fund, underwritten by the Mountain Club of South Africa, the new routes have now been opened with glue-in bolts.

Although Van Zyl concedes that Montagu is the climbing Mecca of the Western Cape, Mossel Bay has much to offer, he says.

For more information about the routes, contact Van Zyl (079 378 5669).

Ambience

"What makes the climbing on St Blaize so utterly unique, is the fact that it is sea cliffs, which makes it an absolutely prime experience, where ambience is concerned. It is a one-of-kind climbing location."

Van Zyl elaborates that in earlier days, traditional climbing was in its heyday, but it has since been replaced with sport climbing.

This evolution in the sport has been stimulated by the establishment of climbing gyms, where instructors teach newcomers the ropes.

He emphasises that although so easily accessible on the St Blaize trail, climbing is a sport to be approached with the necessary care and training.

"Apart from a relative level of fitness and strength, especially in your fingers and arms, climbing is a head game.

You must always be mindful of your capabilities and therefore plan your climb carefully."

Start-up equipment can cost between

R5 000 and R10 000 Van Zyl calculates. "But your kit could last up to 10 or 15 years. Rather steer clear of secondhand gear," he advises.

Van Zyl hopes the Mossel Bay routes will be included in Tony Lourens' next comprehensive South African climbing guide due for 2021/22.

South Africa's climbers Christopher Cosser (20) and Erin Sterkenburg (18) competed against the best in the world at the Olympics on Tuesday, 2 August.