A great, if somewhat forgotten crag, overlooking Hout Bay. Perfect venue for a hot afternoon, but can be cool and a little unpleasant if the Southeaster wind picks up. Some of the finest 23/6c+ routes on the Peninsula, on nice coarse sandstone.
Access
After a few ups and downs over the past decade, access to this crag has finally been sorted out by the MCSA with the cooperation of the immediate residents. Please do not do anything to jeopardize these present access arrangements. There is now a publicly owned servitude path that cuts between two of the houses, so access can be gained to the mountain and the crag. The servitude path has two gates on it, with a combination lock on each gate. To get the new combination code email skoorsteenskop@cityrock.co.za and get an automatic reply with the code. Alternatively, email the MCSA on mcsacapetown@iafrica.com. The reason why the code is only accessible by email, is so a record can be kept. Crime in the area is a problem, and this way at least there is some record of who got the code, and when.
How to get there
Whether driving down into Hout Bay from Constantia Nek or in the opposite direction, turn south (left if you are approaching Hout Bay) into Hughenden Road. This is 1 kilometer down from Oakhurst Farm Stall and right next to a small cemetery. Drive up Hughenden Road for 100 metres, then turn left onto Whittler’s Way. Follow Whittler’s for 700 metres and park near house number 37.
Approach
Directly opposite number 37 you will see a gate above a sandy slope. Unlock this gate and relock it after you have passed through, then make your way up a strip of no-man’s land for about 100 metres to another locked gate. Go through this and relock, then follow the fence line to reach a dirt track. Cross this and continue to follow the fence line to the very top where the fence makes a 90˚ left turn. Carry on following the fence (some cairns) till you reach a gate on the left and a big cairn on the right. Follow the path (sometimes vague, but cairned) steeply up the slope, which eventually winds its way up and around the koppie to the crag. Note: when operating the locks on the gates, care should be taken, as the gates are quite well endowed with razor wire.
