Last year, I set myself the goal of taking on Table Mountain's most extreme routes. When @DomTomato got in touch to organise a hike up the mountain, I knew it would be the perfect chance to take on the mountain's most iconic scramble route - Kloof Corner Pinnacle!
Kloof Corner Pinnacle is to Kloof Corner Ridge what Ferny Dell is to Hiddingh-Ascension. Both KKP and KKR begin and end in the same way, following a short chain and a scramble up from the Kloof Corner sunset spot, but rather than following the more tedious grassy slope up to the second chain, KKP heads straight up the rocky cliff-face of the ridge line. Of all the Table Mountain routes I've done, none has such a high ratio of climbing to hiking, and a very high proportion of the route is spent clinging to the rock-face. The route reconnects with KKR shortly before the second chain, and exits to India-Venster via the infamous 11-inch crack.
With Dom, Jordan, Tristan and Campbell all being capable scramblers and very comfortable heights, we took every chance we could to add some extra spice to an already formidable route. This route should only be attempted by experienced climbers, and don't try the variations we took!
Enjoyment Rating: 5/5
Difficulty Rating: 8/10
Challenges: in terms of distance, the most direct route to the cable-car, and as a result, also the steepest. Most of the route is spent climbing short rock pitches, often with very big drops below, and so confidence with heights is essential. The chains in particular require a good level of upper body strength. If you do manage though, quite possibly the most enjoyable and rewarding climb on the mountain!
Music: City of the Sun - Spaghetti
Contact me: @daniel_johnson_pmbpk
danjohnsonpeter@gmail.com
24 авг 2024
