Free climbing the Knysna Heads!

Some few years ago, in fact, more than 18 years ago, as I'm sure me and the Princess were not
married yet, I took her on vacation to the Cape East coast. We visited with some friends in
Plett, and whilst there did all the tourist things, including a visit to Knysna. (LIU).


It's a great place, popular with many overseas visitors, and has many lovely natural features. Like the Heads! (LIU). We had had a light lunch at a little restaurant just below the heads, and took a walk seawards, just to see the views, and take some photos.


At some point I decided that I could climb up this damn hill, and come out on top. (Waqs alchol involved?) Well, I gave the Princess the car keys, and told he to wait for me up at the top. I had never done anything like it before, and so foolishly ventured where no sane person had gone before!


Initially it was a steep climb, buy manageable. Using the branched of trees and shrubs, you could pull your self upwards. And sometimes sideways when certain parts became unfriendly. There were thorn bushes tearing at my clothes. The footwear I was wearing, probably beach thongs (plakkies), were not made for this kind of "walk" and grip was non existent.


I'm sure I had on a pair of short pants, and a vest too! At some point I decided that this was stupid, and tried to turn back. There was no going back. I was stuck, with only going up as an option.


I reached places that were so steep it was vertical climbing. Using only my fingertips, and the tips of my toes / plakkies, I crawled up these walls just like those crazy "free climbers" do. I was never going to make it. I was going to fall, and die on the rocks below. My princess would have to spend the rest of her life mourning me, wondering what if......


The houses at the top were non existant at the time of this event. in fact they had just started selling stands up there, and we were keen to buy one....
The North Head (picture with thanx to http://borntofish.blogspot.com/)

After what seemed to be 15 hours, but turns out was only about 2 or 3, I made it to the top. I had taken nothing with to drink, and was near complete exhaustion. Princess was there to meet me. Although she had been worried, she didn't really want to show it, but I knew.


With relief I climbed into the car, made her drive to some place where I could get something to drink.


That was my one and only attempt at solo free climbing. A sport, I believe better left to the less intelligent. As for the heads, well, I conquered the north head, the south head looks like it could be a simpler climb, but I will ever know...


Salagatle!