Standard hiking route

Approach

Follow the descriptions in the "Getting There" section untill you have found the cairn and path turning off. You should be nearing (but not at) the highest part of the view-blocking ridge to your left.

Route Description

Follow the path up and over the ridge, on top you will find an open plain marked with a little rock outcrop a few hundred metres to your right supporting a rock pillar similar to the Maltese Cross near Sneeuberg. If you fancy the best possible view of the Tafelberg face, take some time off to climb Consolation Peak, 1759m, a moderately strenuous scramble to a little knife edge top. Once back on the main path again, follow the path, which is not always clear, diagonally across the scree slope to the gap between Tafelberg and the Spout, and from here traverse round to the back of Tafelberg until you just about reach a great vertical rectangular block, known as the Pillar Box. At this point you will be aware of the now obvious rocky gully leading to the summit. Climb into the gully and up over the boulders into the peaceful and closed-in area in the mini canyon at the top. You now follow a smooth, apparently water-gouged hanging gully to the chain and haul your self up it. It's vertical at the top. To get into the gully, you must climb to a small ledge on the left about 3m up and then step across into the hanging gully. This step-over tends to make some people quite nervous (as does the chain), but it is easily completed with a calm head and decent balance.
At the top of the chain is a flat deck from which you clamber up the sandstone slope in front of you untill you see and head for the summit beacon, some way across the weird and weathered summit plateau. (There are two beacons, the further one is higher)
Retrace you steps to descend.

Essential Gear

You shouldn't need much special gear for a summer climb, but a safety rope might be sensible, particularly in winter or when leading a relatively inexperienced party. I'm not sure how iced-up the gully gets in bad conditions, I've had quite dry winters when I've climbed it. Use your own discretion.

Miscellaneous Info

If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.

Images

View Standard hiking route Image Gallery - 1 Images