I spent a very restful weekend camping with a few friends at a remote farm in the Klein Karoo called Gecko Rock. We were rather sceptical about the rock climbing possibilities on our approach as there was nothing resembling a cliff or a crag to be seen, bar a few boulders which might just have been high enough for one move if one did a sit-start. However it turned out that there are a number of vertical quartzitic sandstone dykes running over the hills that provide some surprisingly good, interesting climbing where the hillsides have been eroded away. The walls resemble dried mud that's been compacted for a few million years before being tilted by 90 degrees, sport numerous small thank-god knobbly bits in between dried-mud-like cracks, and are quite unlike anything I've ever climbed on! It's not even summer yet, but the sun was working pretty effectively and despite the excellent friction the rock became a bit too hot to stick to after 11am, which meant we were forced to have long a lunch, chill in the pool, and nap in a hammock till 3:30 when it started getting a bit cooler...
Interspersed with grass and ericas, the ex-mud walls made for rather scenic, scented climbing, in very peaceful, unspoilt surroundings
The sinking sun sent a shadow chasing Roy up as he warmed down on the last route of the day.
More photos are on the MCSA website
For anyone who's interested in spending a relaxing weekend in the succulent karoo, Gecko Rock have a [slightly out-of-date] website at www.geckorock.co.za. The camping is rustic but 10/10 and apart from the climbing (the owners are keen for people to come and open new routes, and there is certainly plenty of rock waiting for both sport and trad routes!) There's also plenty of scope walking and hiking.
