What drives people up the wall? For that matter what drives us to climb the toughest steep cliffs on mountains or any other challenging object?

 

Mountaineers have a stock answer:-“ Because it is there”  

 

To satisfy this strange urge we can do the following:  

 

Sport Climbing 

 

 It is as safe as climbing can be and even indoors climbing walls are available where climbing can continue until late at night.  

 

Artificial structures fitted with removable grips have been erected at odd places to allow the young and energetic to practice their climbing skills conveniently close to home and after hours. 

 

Sport climbing, as it is named, is now an organised activity in its own right and regional and national competitions are held regularly in all the main centres.

 

Bolted routes have been established at some of the popular country rock climbing sites although this is frowned upon by more conservative rock climbers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional Climbing

 

This is the real climbing challenge. From climbing the local crags to conquering one of the big walls on a serious expedition, trad climbing remains the ultimate adrenalin pumping experience. Tradition involved hair raising exploits with antiquated equipment more than a hundred years ago, to the present, with climbers pushing up the most severe routes with modern gadgetery. The advent of dynamic ropes, pitons, cams and stoppers, improved the safety of climbing to such an extent that the risks are minimised on even the hardest climbs and serious accidents seldom occur. 

 

The good news is that there are no age restrictions and that everyone can climb the grade suited to his ability. Considerable benefits may be gained both physically and phycologically but a word of warning-learn only from an experienced mountaineer. There is simply nothing to replace a good example and solid experience. This is not the sport to impress your buddies! 

 

 

 

 

Rescue Climbing  

 

The skills used in climbing are utilised extensively in rescue operations and in access work. Experienced climbers of the MCSA are organised with local Metro’s to perform rescue operations where rope work is necessary.

 

Considerable savings are to be had when work on lofty structures can be carried out without the cumbersome erection of scaffolding. Even in applications such as roof painting and window cleaning, climbing and abseil techniques are used without  the usual risk of falling and at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods.

 

 

 

 

Publications

 

·     S A Mountain Magazine

·     Climbing Rock

·      Climbing Ice

·      The Complete Rock Climber by Malcolm Creasy

·      Home Climbing Gyms

·      Journal of the MCSA (Annually)

·      Rock route books as available and in print

 

The mountain Club Of South Africa

 

 

The most important organisation in South Africa involved in climbing, is the MCSA (The Mountain Club of South Africa) . It has 13 sections throughout the country and in Namibia and is the second oldest Mountain club in the world,being started in 1891. It has more than 4000 members country wide, is a member of the UIAA and has a marked influence on environmental matters.

   

Some useful references of the MCSA:

 

MCSA Central Committee 97 Hatfield Street

Cape Town 8001

Website                 www.mcsa.org.za

Email                     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel. Number         (021) 465 3412

 

MCSA Johannesburg Section

Stirling Street 

Waverley, Johannesburg, 2041

Website                 www.jhb.mcsa.org.za

Email                     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel.                         (011) 807 1310 (weekdays 8h00-10h00)