TIA

TIA = This is Africa.


Roadcrew.

Rock: Quartzite. Not all good quality, but there is a LOT of it to choose from. And it varies in different areas.

Texture: Exactly the same as Grit stone but with more holds. With pebbles and all.

Color: Orange / Gray.


Teemu Uusi-maahi sending 'Rhino'.

Climbing: From mindless jug hauls to best climbs that you can imaging. Harder ones being better ones (most of the time).

Fact: There is more jugs than anywhere I've seen before. Still maybe not for beginners. Most of the blocks are just too easy to be climbed on.

Amount: Lot of rock, still not very developed (hope it stays that way).

Approach: Mostly long and treacherous walks (20mins being average). Mostly gravel road, but sometimes you need to do actual climbing to get where you are going (not too nice when its wet)... It's not an 'easy' area to be in like Font or Swiss.

Permits: Needed for every area (about 3€ a day per person). Hard to get and find out how the whole thing works...

Rules: Leave no trace, walk on existing paths, pick your garbage (finger tape is also garbage). Clear tick marks (so the same as any were esle)!

Guide: Coming... (some info in the web). Locals are making one.


Roadside.

Senery: Beautiful!

Wildlife: Yes and some poisonous! Didn't see any snakes though. Apparently you have about 2hours to get to hospital if one bites. It will be hard in that terrain. Good thing is that they mostly hibernate in winter time. Baboons are quite scary too.

Weather: Could be rainy. We where lucky though. Only two days of rain. It was mostly hot around 27celsius. Had some cold weather too. Actually saw some snow up on the mountains! If you are staying in a campsite, you will most likely need warm clothing.

Season: Our summer.

People: Very friendly. Still stay a way from certain areas.

Bankcards: Work. Need actual cash to get petrol though. For permits too.


Teemu Uusi-maahi sending 'John Denver'.

Eats and Drink: Olifanti, Nancy's tea house, Kelder. All of them good! Cheep too!

Shopping: For grosery Spar in Clanwiliam etc.

Stay: Many different. From houses to campping. We stayed in De Pachys campsite. Can recommed.

Car: Needed. Preferably 4x4. Roads tend to be quite bad in climbing areas. With heavy rain there will be hard river crossings to do.


Ville Kurru warming up in Plateu area.