PROPERTIES — KWAZULU-NATAL
Giant's Castle - Ice Climbing
"If you think you’ve peaked, find a new mountain."
Venue Information
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Venue Overview |
Giants Castle is the best and most reliable area to ice climb in Southern Africa. Ice normally forms from early June and lasts until mid August. There are a wide variety of routes suitable for all levels of climbers, including many new route possibilities. |
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Permit / Permission info |
Permits available from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. |
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Approx travel time from Jhb |
4 hours. |
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Parking info |
Parking is at Giants Castle’s Camp, Ezemvelo/KZN Wildlife. Parking is safe and fees are included in the permit cost. |
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Walk-in |
The walk in is 8 - 9 hours of hard hiking up a major pass with heavy backpacks, carrying all camping, cooking and climbing gear. |
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Accommodation |
Overnight tent camping in a high wilderness area. Ensure your gear is suitable for very cold conditions. |
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Availability of drinking water |
Water is easily available from semi-frozen streams or by melting snow. |
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Climbing route guide |
The MCSA KZN Section has published a book, Rock and Ice Climbs of the Drakensberg 3rd edition, which is available from kzn.mcsa.org.za or www.peakhigh.co.za. |
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Climbing info |
There are about 14 routes of water-ice and some snow climbs. Grades range from WI 2 to WI 6+ and lengths from 40 metres to several hundred meters. Climbs are in the shade and accessed by abseiling down from the camping area using V threads and improvised points. |
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Child-friendly |
No. |
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Swimming |
No. |
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Camp fires |
No. |
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Other attractions |
There are a range of things to do at or near the Giants Castle Camp area, including: Walking up to the Main Caves Bushman Museum, home to some of the biggest and best preserved prehistoric rock art in Southern Africa. Hiking any of the many hiking trails in the area. Mountain biking. Bird watching; the area boasts over 170 different bird species including Bearded Vulture (Lammergeyer) and Black Eagle, which can be seen from a hide specifically designed for raptor viewing. Trout fishing. Game viewing. |
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Dangers |
Take the usual precautions against theft on the Lesotho plateau. Falling ice can be extremely dangerous so make sure no one approaches the climbs without wearing a helmet. |
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Contact details |
KZN Mountain Rescue - Tel: 0800 005133. KZN Wildlife for permits: http://www.kznwildlife.com. |
Disclaimer
Mountaineering, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking and other related activities are inherently dangerous and can lead to or cause serious injury, material loss and even death. The Mountain Club of South Africa advises that you only participate in these activities if you are competent to do so, or are under the guidance of an experienced person, and you are using the correct equipment. Any activity in which you participate, is done entirely at your own risk. The Mountain Club of South Africa accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for any accident, injury, death or material loss arising from participation in MCSA activities, no matter in what manner caused and whether allegedly due to negligence or not.