Cederberg Rock
A guide to sport climbing in the Cederberg and surrounds
A guide to sport climbing in the Cederberg and surrounds
240 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-796-123541
Cederberg Rock is the definitive sport climbing guidebook to the whole of the Cederberg mountain range. It is a comprehensive guide covering all the sport climbing, from Rocklands in the north down to Houdenbek in the south, including some outlying areas, and is the 17th guidebook to come out of the stable of Blue Mountain Publishers, South Africa’s leading producer of climbing guidebooks.
Since the last issue of Western Cape Rock, eight years ago, where Cederberg formed a section of 80 pages, with about 250 sport routes, it became apparent when doing an update, that the Cederberg deserved a book all of its own. This new Cederberg Rock now spans 240 pages and boasts more than 435 sport routes across seven incredible areas. This is testament to how climbing has and is growing in the Cederberg and how important it is as a climbing destination in the country.
There is no doubt that the Cederberg is one of the most unique, wild and beautiful climbing destinations in South Africa and is an absolute must visit for climbers from all over the country, and indeed the world, to climb on the multitude of crags, walls and mountains that it is famous for.
Cederberg Rock is packed with many new climbs, crags and whole new areas. It is a book all climbers must have – locals and visitors alike.
Montagu Rock
A guide to Sport and Trad climbing in and around Montagu
A guide to Sport and Trad climbing in and around Montagu
328 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-620-99569-6
Montagu Rock is the definitive climbing guidebook to the whole of the Montagu area. It is a comprehensive guide covering all the sport routes, and the trad climbing as well – the first and only guidebook to describe all the trad routes in detail in and around Montagu.
It is the 16th guidebook to come out of the stable of Blue Mountain Publishers, South Africa’s leading producer of climbing guidebooks.
Since the last issue of Western Cape Rock, seven years ago, where Montagu formed a section of 131 pages, with about 400 sport routes, it became apparent when doing an update, that Montagu deserved a book all of its own.
There is no doubt that Montagu is one of the climbing Mecca’s of South Africa and attracts climbers from all over the country and indeed the world to come climb on the multitude of crags, walls and mountains that it is famous for.
This new Montagu Rock now spans over 320 pages and boasts more than 600 sport routes – single- and multi-pitch and over 100 trad climbs, from single pitch routes to 8-pitch adventures on the huge Cogman’s Buttress. This is testament to how climbing has and is growing in Montagu and how important it is as a climbing destination in the country.
Montagu Rock is packed with many new climbs, crags and whole new areas. It is a book all climbers must have – locals and visitors alike.
Karbonaatjieskraal
A Climber’s Guide
A Climber’s Guide
36 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-6397-1889-7
A comprehensive guide to all the trad and sport climbing at Karbonaatjieskraal.
Detailed approach routes (with rappelled anchors) and route descriptions, and high quality topos.
Your must have companion if you want to climb at this wild and iconic climbing venue.
Yellowwood and Chess Pieces
– A Climber’s Guide
– A Climber’s Guide
152 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Charles Edelstein and Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-1-990927-83-6
Yellowwood Amphitheatre, the surrounding walls, and the Chess Pieces, constitute some of the best trad climbing in South Africa. It is a venue that demands the greatest respect, due to the fact that it is situated in the big and beautiful mountains in Du Toit’s Kloof, and has a very wild feel, but at the same time there are many routes for climbers looking for good adventure climbing of a moderate grade.
Either way Yellowwood is a place not to be missed. There are many routes of excellent quality on hard quartzitic sandstone, from moderate to bold and hard.
Steenberg Buttress
– Rock Climbs
– Rock Climbs
40 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-9947124-4-8
Steenberg Buttress is a great place to get into trad climbing, as there are many “friendly” routes. But also offers excellent harder climbs as good as anywhere on the Peninsula, with huge potential for new routing of all grades.
Almost all the routes in this guide are worth climbing. Even some of the longer 2-star routes, which although a bit broken by ledges, still offer an adventurous day out on the hill. The newer, shorter and single pitch routes, particularly on Rocky Horror Buttress, are of a high quality, many of them deserving 4 and 5 stars and compare to some of the best on the Peninsula, including the “Ledge”.
It also has a few great tea caves and tea ledges where you can base yourself, depending on which area you are are climbing. And the best part is that you will have the whole mountain to yourself.
Southern Peninsula Classics
– A guide to Mountain Adventures Walks, Scrambles & Moderate Rock Climbs
– A guide to Mountain Adventures Walks, Scrambles & Moderate Rock Climbs
304 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-9947124-3-1
Southern Peninsula Classics is a collection of the most wonderful mountain adventures you will have the pleasure of experiencing on the southern Cape Peninsula – from Constantia Nek all the way down to the very tip of Cape Point.
It includes a selection of stunning hikes, from short, gentle ambles, to long, strenuous full day outings and everything between. It even has a two-day hike in the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. There are also a number of exciting scrambles up some of the more rocky areas and peaks, where sometimes a rope may be necessary for protection. And includes some of the more popular caves in the Kalk Bay mountains.
In addition, the book describes some of the easy to moderate rock climbs found along this part of the Table Mountain Chain, which are ideal if you are new to the climbing game and looking for climbs to sharpen your trad experience.
Besides the vast selection of hikes, scrambles and climbs, Southern Peninsula Classics is also a treasure trove of tales, facts and historical anecdotes, that will keep you fascinated from page to page.
Whether you are a visitor to the beautiful Cape Peninsula seeking a once-off classic experience, a local who wants to explore the best that the Southern Peninsula has to offer, or someone simply interested in the tales and rich tapestry that surrounds this unique and special peninsula at the tip of Africa, this is a book that should not be missed.
Drakensberg Select
– Rock climbing, Ice climbing, Trekking, Day hikes
– Rock climbing, Ice climbing, Trekking, Day hikes
352 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Gavin Raubenheimer
EDITED by Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-9947124-0-0
Drakensberg Select is an extensive guide to the best the Drakensberg mountains have to offer. From the Sentinel in the north all the way down to Bushman’s Neck in the south.
It includes all the best rock climbs, classic peaks, hiking trails, exciting scrambles, day walks and also most of the snow and water ice climbing. It really is a one stop guidebook!
It also includes all the necessary info you need to know on how to get there, access, weather, fauna & flora, nature of the climbing, grading systems, navigation, conservation, accommodation & camping, emergency procedures, and a whole lot more. We even have a whole chapter dedicated to the caves and shelters of this remarkable mountain range.
To spice things up even more we have included an array of interesting historical anecdotes and also a spread of epic tales written by some of the Drakensberg climbing legends. And of course let’s not forget about the wonderful colour topo photos, depicting each and every route in detail and also the bunch of excellent photos of people climbing hiking and just enjoying the ’Berg.
Young or old, climber, hiker or even an armchair mountaineer. There is no one who will not want a copy of the new and difinitive Drakensberg Select guidebook..
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Western Cape Rock
– A guide to sport climbing in the Western Cape, South Africa
– A guide to sport climbing in the Western Cape, South Africa
448 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-9870403-4-3
Western Cape Rock is the definitive sport climbing guide to the whole of the Western Cape. It covers areas as far south and east as the Garden Route and Oudtshoorn. It includes Montagu, one of the the meccas of sport climbing in South Africa, Paarl Rocks, South Africa’s premiere granite climbing venue, Hellfire – wild crags in a big mountain setting. It also includes the whole of the Cape Peninsula where we are spoiled by countless high quality crags within a stone’s throw of the City of Cape Town, and of course the beautiful and unique Cederberg, one of the worlds top trad, bouldering and sport climbing venues. It has been over 10 years since the last edition, so this new edition is packed with many new climbs, crags and whole new areas. It is a must buy for all Cape climbers and visitors alike.
Cape Peninsula Select
– A guide to trad climbing in the Cape Peninsula
– A guide to trad climbing in the Cape Peninsula
320 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-620-57469-3
There can be very few places on Earth where such a variety of world class climbing lies within the boundaries of a huge city. The entire Peninsula is dominated by the majestic Table Mountain chain that starts in the north with the impressive front faces of Table Mountain overlooking the bustling city of Cape Town, and runs south along the backbone across 60 kilometres of unspoiled mountain crags, culminating in the wild and beautiful Cape Point Reserve on the extreme southern tip.
Climbing anywhere on the Peninsula, you are always rewarded with stupendous mountain scenery and glorious sweeping views of the mighty oceans that surrounds the boney Table Mountain chain.
If you are looking for wild exposed climbing in a high mountain setting then The Ledge on Table Mountain is where you want to be. This is the showcase of trad climbing on the Peninsula and here you will find excellent climbing on bullet-hard sandstone that will rival routes anywhere in the world.
Table Mountain Classics
– A guide to walks, scrambles and moderate rock climbs
– A guide to walks, scrambles and moderate rock climbs
320 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-620-50339-6
Table Mountain is undoubtedly one of the natural wonders of the world. It is a mountain that is endowed with a rich history and offers the explorer unsurpassed adventures almost always accompanied by wide breathtaking vistas.
This book describes some of the best walks, scrambles and moderate rock climbs Table Mountain has to offer and takes you to the most remarkable and memorable places. Scattered throughout the book are also many mythical and historical tales on the building of the reservoirs, early visitors, climbing history, fauna & flora, Van Hunks and the Devil and many more.
Whether you are a visitor to the beautiful Cape Peninsula seeking a once-off classic experience on Table Mountain, a local who wants to explore the best Table Mountain has to offer and yearns to tick off some of the great classics, or someone interested in the myths and legends and the rich history that surrounds this unique and special mountain, this is a book that should grace your bookshelf.
Table Mountain Information Booklet
– Facts, History, Legends
– Facts, History, Legends
64 pages – full colour
99mm x 210mm – DL
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
There is no doubt that Cape Town is kept alive by the powerful magic of Table Mountain. She stands unashamedly proud, high above the surrounding oceans, and cradles the city in a protective embrace. Majestic no matter what angle you see her from.
Table Mountain has a mood for every occasion. Seldom will she wear the same cloak from one instant to another. On a clear summer’s day she stands proudly etched against a deep azure sky, her grey craggy ridges in crisp, stark relief to her surroundings, almost looming over the city with a visceral presence that exudes a palpable energy impossible to ignore.
But catch her on a day when the elements are charged, and you will see a very different side, a side that brings a deep brooding menacing facade, as the thick grey clouds drag viscously across her ominous, precipitous walls, with the rain setting the many ravines, gullies and gorges alive with countless silvery ribbons of waterfalls, cascading in glorious fashion down her vertiginous ramparts to create a myriad of gurgling brooks and rivers.
Tierkloof
Gamkaberg – A climber’s guide
Gamkaberg – A climber’s guide
20 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Johann Lanz and Tony Lourens
Gamkaberg is an isolated mountain range in the Klein Karoo, lying between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains. The nature reserve, which was recently declared a World Heritage Site, due to the rich and unique biodiversity found in the area, and managed by CapeNature, was established in 1974 in order to conserve the local population of endangered Cape mountain zebra and their natural habitat. The terrain is rugged, with mountainous plateaux incised by deep ravines.
The reserve aims to provide visitors with a first class nature experience while at the same time creating awareness about treading lightly on the environment. Those interested in hiking the two day Tierkloof Trail can overnight at Oukraal in the herders huts.
The climbing areas in the pristine Tierkloof are situated in a unique habitat with some extremely rare cliff-dwelling plants and animals. Please respect this environment and climb with the utmost caution in order to minimise any disturbance.
Rooiberg
– A climbers guide to the Southern Cederberg
– A climbers guide to the Southern Cederberg
32 pages – full colour
148mm x 210mm – A5
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-987-04032-9
At last we now have a fully comprehensive guidebook for Rooiberg. Over the last few years this area has gained tremendous popularity, due mainly to the sterling efforts of David Mercer and Craig Turvey, who have opened a huge selection of top quality multi-pitch trad routes. Scott Miller, among others, has also made his mark on the crag with an impressive selection of brilliant sport routes.
Rooiberg has now grown into one of the best moderate climbing areas in the Cederberg, offering about 19 sport routes and many single and multi-pitch trad routes.
The Rooiberg guidebook is a 32-page, A5, full-colour publication, describing all the routes in detail with top quality topo photos depicting all the lines.
It also includes all the normal information one needs, like how to get there, access and best time to go, etc. with a scattering of good climbing pics as well.
All in all, a must-have guidebook if you are heading out on a climbing trip to the Cederberg at any time.
Tafelberg & Spout
– A climbers guide to the Central Cederberg
– A climbers guide to the Central Cederberg
112 pages – Black & White with colour photos
130mm x 190mm
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-620-40941-4
The Tafelberg Guide is packed with all the info you will need to get to and climb at this magical venue. It includes notes on flora and fauna, geology, climbing history, weather, environmental issues, access, water, descents, side attractions, emergency procedures, scaled maps and diagrams, B&W photo topos marking the climbs with detailed descriptions of all the routes and lots of glossy colour climbing pics. A must if you plan to climb at one of the Cederberg’s premier climbing areas.
Wolfberg Cracks
– A climbers guide to the Southern Cederberg
– A climbers guide to the Southern Cederberg
128 pages – Black & White with colour photos
130mm x 190mm
AUTHOR(S)
Tony Lourens
ISBN
978-0-620-4278-3
The Wolfberg Guide not only comprehensively covers the whole of the Wolfberg Cracks area, but also covers Sandrif Crag, the Pup, Maltese Cross, Truitjieskraal, Bobbejaanskop and the new Rooiberg sport and trad crag on Nuwerus farm. Like the Tafelberg guide it is jam-packed with all the info you will need to get to and climb at these beautiful and special places. It includes notes on flora and fauna, geology, climbing history, weather, environmental issues, access, water, descents, side attractions, emergency procedures, scaled maps and diagrams, B&W photo topos marking the climbs with detailed descriptions of all the routes and lots of glossy colour climbing pics. A must if you plan to climb at one of the Cederberg’s premier climbing areas.
Spitzkoppe & Pontoks, Namibia
– A Climbers Paradise
– A Climbers Paradise
144 pages – Black & White with colour photos
140mm x 200mm
AUTHOR(S)
Eckhardt Haber
ISBN
978-0-620-47601-0
Includes Aussenkehr by Tony Lourens
The new edition of the Spitzkoppe and Pontoks guide is out. It has been nearly 10 years since the last edition and in that time the area has seen a lot of
development by local and foreign climbers alike. There are stacks more multi-pitch routes and single pitch climbs, making the Spitzkoppe area a veritable climber’s paradise, with many trad, semi-bolted and sport routes living side by side.
Included in the back of the book is the relatively new climbing area in the King’s Throne Canyon of Aussenkehr, which lies on the banks of the Orange River, approximately mid-way between Cape Town and Windhoek, making it a perfect stop over on your trip to Spitzkoppe, or indeed a trip on its own. The climbing here is unique and well worth the journey.
Paarl Rocks
– A Climbers Guide
– A Climbers Guide
56 pages – Black & White with colour photos
130mm x 190mm
AUTHOR(S)
SW & SG Noy
ISBN
0-620-33272-7
The definitive guide to climbing at Paarl Rocks. Trad and bolted routes at all levels.