Silverstream Ravine | Table Mountain's Toughest Scrambles

Route 7 in my efforts to find Table Mountain's toughest ascent! At the time we did it, Silverstream Ravine was the most intimidating route I'd set out to climb - its top section is one of the most infamous and exposed of any of Table Mountain's scrambles, and those I could find who'd completed the route all described it as extremely hairy. However, having accumulated a good deal of experience on comparable climbs, I felt ready to give it a go, and so, along with Drake, Bill, Emily and Campbell, all of whom I trusted to cope with the technicality and exposure, I set out in late Autumn to finally make it happen. When we arrived at the base of the first pitch, we saw that it was completely waterlogged, and began planning the traverse across to an easier ascent. However, Drake cautiously tested the holds, and managed to make it to the top of the climb, which convinced Bill and I to follow while Campbell and Emily opted for the safer alternative. After a scary but manageable climb up the crack, we made our way up the final 30m pitch. The dry, grippy rock made for blissful climbing after the wet and mossy first pitch, and we topped out feeling extremely happy to have gotten through it. Reaching the top, we came across Emily and Campbell again, and then made our way down India Venster and back to the car. This route is seriously exposed, and really should not be done without a rope, at any time other than the driest part of Summer. Please don't attempt to repeat this unless you have serious climbing and scrambling experience, and even then it's still a risk. Enjoyment Rating: 4/5 Difficulty Rating: 8.5/10 Challenges: the first part of the route is pretty straightforward, albeit with some loose rocks to be navigated crossing the rockfall before the ravine itself. The waterfall presents the first real challenge - an wet, awkward, exposed climb which relies on some less than ideal handholds. The 30m free climb at the end is the most intimidating section of the route, but the rock is strong and grippy until the very top. Here the grips run out, but a short and careful traverse allows one to top out without too much trouble. The exposure, however, is massive, and so a small mistake would probably be fatal. Music: Sun-El Musician - Ululate Contact me: @daniel_johnson_pmbpk (instagram) [email protected]