Left Face B is named because
it is on the left face of Table Mountain, that is, to the left
of Platteklip Gorge and Platteklip Buttress. The B is the grade,
A is walking, B is hands on the rock and scrambling, C is a little
more difficult and exposed, a rope may be necessary, D requires
a rope and possibly climbing gear. The route was first climbed
in 1894.
You will eventually pop out on top of the middle of Table Mountain.
Start with a 380m climb from the bottom of Platteklip Gorge on Tafelberg Road,
on a clear route to the contour path, 15min. Be warned - it’s advisable
not to drink the water in this gorge because it’s possibly the most used
climb on Table Mountain.
Turn left for 50m before taking the uphill, clear path, sign-posted Platteklip
Gorge.
Platteklip Gorge is the first known ascent of Table Mountain, by the Portuguese
Admiral Antonio de Saldanha in March 1503. Since then thousands of people have
climbed this path, including Lady Anne Barnard, wife of the new Colonial Secretary,
who was ‘First Lady of the Colony’ to climb it in 1795. On learning
that “no other woman had ever climbed table Mountain,” Lady Anne
decided to be the first. She took along with her “two of my ship-mate officers,
my maid, a couple of servants and a couple of slaves”.
Such was the heat that she was forced to sit down frequently shaded by her umbrella.
After three hours they reached the “tip top of this great rock, looking
down on the town with much superiority. We now produced our cold meat, port,
Madeira and Capewine. We made a splendid and happy dinner after our fatigues,
when I proposed a song to be sung in full chorus*”.
You should climb the zigzag path for 10min, keeping a careful watch for a vague
path, on the uphill side, on one of the bends, just before the main path turns
back towards the gorge.
The path is overgrown and vague and appears to go in the wrong direction at first – diagonally
left, but whenever you feel “lost” look out for cairns.
You will reach a dry watercourse after 20min, 600m; go right to the bushy ridge.
From here, keep to the rocks where you are able to look into Platteklip Gorge,
scrambling as you go but gaining height. Beware not to loosen rocks onto those
climbing below you.
A little higher you reach a rock face where you traverse right for five minutes
or so. Scramble up a 3m pitch to a ledge, go left and scramble up a 4.5m pitch,
750m. It looks impossible and exposed but is easy.
Go to the right for a short distance on easy ground to where a steep grassy gully
goes down to the right to meet up with Platteklip Gorge. To the left is a steep
narrow crack, slog up this and move to the left near the top. Have a rest and
enjoy spectacular views over the Mother City, Robben Island, Lion’s Head
and so much more.
Continue following cairns to a ridge from where you will be able to see the rest
of the route, 920m, although it appears to be never-ending.
Go to the left on a grassy ledge for a long distance. It becomes narrow and exposed
at one point but you eventually come to a tricky rock scramble to gain a higher
traverse. Take your time and feel for the good grips.
After scrambling up this short pitch go to the right to reach a rock face where
the path once again gets narrow. Here you come to an awkward step-over, but with
good hand-holds. It’s a good idea to pass backpacks.
From here it is an easy scramble to a higher level where there is another awkward
rock pitch. It’s advisable to go straight up, keeping to the crack.
This is followed by the final pitch where it is easier to keep in the crack and
then go left.
Enjoy the peace and quiet on the next section before popping out on top of Table
Mountain where you are sure to see the surprised looks on tourist’s faces.
* Extract from the letters of Lady Anne Barnard, AA Balkema,
1973.
Karen Watkins (Author of Adventure Walks & Scrambles
in the Cape Peninsula)
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