Please read our Disclaimer.
General Setting, Aspect
etc.
Manoutsa or Strijdom Tunnel
is a good traditional climbing area in Mpumalanga. The area was first 'climbed'
back in 1975 and slowly more and more routes have been added. The climbing
is generally very good with superb views of the lowveld.
Rock, Routes & Gradings
The routes are all natural mostly
5 to 7 pitches long. There are about 52 routes varying in grade from 10
to 23.
Camping, Access etc.
For the latest access restrictions
please see the MCSA Access page. The area
is just upstream of the JG Strijdom tunnel on both sides of the road. This
road leads down the escarpment on the Abel Erasmus pass towards Tzaneen.
From the N4 travelling towards Waterval Boven take the road to Lydenburg
just after Machadadorp to the left. Take the R36 towards Tzaneen, down
the Abel Erasmus pass to the tunnel.
Park just upstream of the tunnel
at the fruit stall under the main cliff where the road moves through a
right angle. In return for a few Rand the proprietor will keep an eye on
your vehicle all day (in 1998 R10). If you intend to climb on the
main cliff (HARD ROCK CAFé) or either side of this you park at the
fruit stall and walk upstream, up the road, to the first vague gully. There
is a faint path up the gully and scree slope above which clears the lower
rock band at its right extremity. Go straight up a challenging scree
slope to reach the base of the main cliff at the start of the route HARD
ROCK CAFé. Move left or right along the cliff base.
To climb in the SCOTCH ON
THE ROCKS area, walk up the road from the fruit stall parking area and
scramble up behind the stalls selling curios just before where the river
goes under the road.
For climbing in the RATBAG/DOUBLE
GREEN area, walk up the road from the fruit stall parking area and just
before the bridge over the stream, scramble down off the road to the right,
jump over the stream and follow a pathway through the bush along the base
of the cliffs.
Descent
To descend from the top
of routes like HARD ROCK CAFé and those to the left move down the
descent gully immediately to the left of the route TWO BY FOUR. (The
so called gully A.) To descend from the top of routes like GOOD VIBRATIONS/SCALLYWAG
or MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR move right down the crest of the mountain to the
right to the point that a cliff high left slanting feature appears opposite
you (on the same side of the road). At this point scramble carefully down
the scree slope to the floor of the gully behind the mountain, turn right
and make your way down to the road. To descend from the top of routes like
ONE OF THE LADS or RATBAG or DOUBLE GREEN use the two gullies closest to
the road (one abseil may be necessary). Avoid the use of the gullies
making up the Y-shaped feature in the middle of the cliff when viewed from
the tunnel as these gullies are very loose.
WaterTo descend from the top
of routes like HARD ROCK CAFé and those to the left move down the
descent gully immediately to the left of the route TWO BY FOUR. (The
so called gully A.)
To descend from the top
of routes like GOOD VIBRATIONS/SCALLYWAG or MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR move right
down the crest of the mountain to the right to the point that a cliff high
left slanting feature appears opposite you (on the same side of the road).
At this point scramble carefully
down the scree slope to the floor of the gully behind the mountain, turn
right and make your way down to the road.
To descend from the top
of routes like ONE OF THE LADS or RATBAG or DOUBLE GREEN use the two gullies
closest to the road (one abseil may be necessary). Avoid the use
of the gullies making up the Y-shaped feature in the middle of the cliff
when viewed from the tunnel as these gullies are very loose.
Water
Unfortunately no water is available
and the Olifants river is infested with Bilharzia - that means dont drink,
swim or even touch the water or you can risk Bilharzia which is a serious
disease that often cannot be cured. It can get rather hot in summer so
bring lots of water with you.
Camping
You can get a chalet closeby
in the area or try camp on the river ? The Restaurant is about 1.5 hours
away.
The area is very remote and
there is no first-aid dump or stretcher nearby. Call Metro
on (011) 315-0203 in case of any climbing accident where assistance is
required.
Online
Route Descriptions
Please note that there
is a printed guide also available from the MCSA, Johannesburg section.
It was published by Tim Wilmot who also provided all the route information
for this online guide.
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