Access rules and arrangements
The crag and parking etc. is private property and the owners right of admission is reserved. The Mountain Club of South Africa has come to an agreement for access to this area for its members. Any individual making use of this access arrangement agrees to the conditions stated below. Contact the Magaliesberg (Pretoria) or Johannesburg sections of the Mountain Club of South Africa in case of any query or doubt.
Entrance fees are as follows:
- R40 for adults
- R20 for school going children above 12 years old
- R10 for children 12 years of age and below
Please pay the entrance fee and sign the visitors book upon entrance. Someone will come out with the visitors book, otherwise the book can be found at the main house.
Please note:
- Individuals enter this area at their own risk. Climbing is consider a high risk activity and can result in serious injury or even death. The owners and / or the Mountain Club of South Africa take no responsibility for any harm or death that results from individuals accessing and using this property and fixed climbing protection including damage or loss to private property due to theft, fire or any other cause whatsoever
- You are responsible and accountable for your own safety and must not endanger those around you. Report any sign of danger or unusual wear on bolts
To ensure continued access please keep to the following:
- Visitors must sign the access book and pay the entrance fee before entering (the access book has the MCSA logo on the cover)
- Do not drive off the established roads and park only at the upper or lower parking areas
- Stay on established paths. Walk in single file on existing paths and avoid creating new paths
- Visitors may only go the climbing area and the paths leading to it other areas remain private
- No fishing is allowed – climbing only (you may lunch picnic at the river though)
- NO FIRES are allowed
- Reduce disturbance to animals specifically the Black Eagles and other nesting birds. Specifically no climbing and or bolting may take place near the Black Eagle nesting site – clear signs are in place.
- NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING – Climbers are only permitted during daylight hours
- Carry out all waste. This is a high use area, treat peels etc. as non-disposable rubbish. We request that you inspect the area for rubbish before leaving, do not ignore other people’s litter, pick it up and carry it out
- Take extreme caution when smoking. PACK OUT CIGARETTE ENDS
- Consider fellow climbers when relieving yourself and keep at least 50m away from the river, paths and climbing routes. Burry / carefully burn toilet paper
- Respect other visitors
- Do not throw or roll rocks off cliffs
- No guns allowed
- In case of any accident / emergency call MCSA Mountain Search and Rescue on 074 125 1385 or alternatively 074 163 3952
- Where applicable, assist and encourage others to adhere to the above.
Route Info
Bronkies route names and gradings below, listed in order from right to left as you face the crag. Might be one or 2 other routes as well.
Grades upgraded/downgraded according to the crag update in SA Mountain Sport, Issue No 27, Dec-Feb 2009
| Route Name | Grade | Bolts | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tickled Pink | 12 *** | . | . | Start around the corner to RANGER’s DELIGHT. Move left onto this route after the second bolt. |
| Ranger’s Delight | 14 ** | . | . | Start left of the arête in the scoop. Intense start followed by easy climbing to the chains. First ascent: 2002 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Significant Pickle | 18 | 6D,A | . | Climbs the shallow corner/arête system just left of Ranger’s Delight. Top crux is a little lead out. First ascent: 2015-12-20 Tony Seebregts and Bridgette Kerst |
| Fragile Ego | 17 *** | 5D,A | . | Tricky move past the second bolt. Aim for the big black block/roof above. First ascent: 2003 D. Margetts and G. Frost. |
| Straight and Narrow | 21 ** | 5D,A | . | To get this grade, stick to a line about 30cm left/right of the 2nd and 3rd bolt. Alternatively, move right into the corner at about grade 16. This route is bolted with U-Bolts. First ascent: 2003 D. Margetts and N. Margetts. |
| Pom-Pom Dominatrix | 20 | 6D,A | Takes the open book just right of No More Freeloaders and continues over the bulge at the top on to a small slab. It is possible to duck left at the top into a jam crack to avoid the crux (Pom-Pom option,17). 2013-06-01, Tony Seebregts, Peter Speed, Jaco Smuts. | |
| No More Freeloaders | 15 *** | 7D,A | . | Starts up some steep jug hauling before moving diagonally left up a break towards the chains. First ascent: 2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Pumpkin Time | 18 | 4D,A | . | Bolts sponsored by the MCSA JHB/MAG Section. Tony Seebregts,Peter Speed,Darrel Margetts. |
| Modern Warfare | 21* | . | . | Very short and bouldery. Try stay strate in line with the bolts. Bolted by Darrel Margetts. |
| Autonomous Caudal | 14 | 4D,A | 10m | Takes the pretty open book 3m to the right of Fully. Short and cute. First ascent:2016 Bridgette Kerst and Tony Seebregts. |
| Fully | 12 ** | . | . | First ascent:2003 D. Margetts and G. Frost. |
| Kief | 11 ** | 7D,A | . | First ascent:2003 D. Margetts and G. Frost. |
| Pumba’s Delight | 12 * | . | . | Upgraded from 8 (be fair to the new guys) |
| Maggies Nose | 14 * | . | . | Upgraded from 7 (be fair to the new guys) – this route is not suitable for top roping due to excessive drag |
| Derek’s Dilemma | 20 *** | 7D,A | . | Dilemma indeed, but fun once you work it out. Beware of loose flakey rock on right hand side between bolts 5 & 6.First ascent: 2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Dilemma Direct | 19? *** | 6D,A | . | Clip the first 3 bolts of AM. With the 3rd bolt at your feet, move right onto the arete. Keep on or just left of the arete. Bolts sponsored by the MCSA JHB/MAG Section. First ascent: Feb 2014 D Talma |
| Austin’s Mojo | 15 *** | 7D,A | . | Climbs the left facing corner with 1m roof high up. Not as hard as it looks. First ascent: 2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Mini Me | 17 *** | . | . | Some fun moves near the top as the route breaks left through the roof. First ascent: 2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Trans-Plutionian Panic Zone | 20 | 8D,A | Climbs the shallow corner just left of Mini Me, and then up through the rooflet and finger crack above. Bolted: 2016 Tony Seebregts, Peter Speed and Bridgette Kerst. | |
| Rastus | 18 * | . | . | One move wonder through the roof. First ascent: 2003 D. Margetts and D. Taylor. |
| Man’s Best Friend | 15 ** | . | . | Trad. |
| Monkonunkey | 14 | . | . | . |
| The Fallen Boot | 15 **** | . | . | Climbs the right hand side of the scoop, following a crack system all the way to the top of the crag. Cool line with some nice exposure at the top. First ascent: 2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Gunning for Crows | 16 *** | . | . | Starts up the left hand side of a shallow scoop. Delicate climbing past the second bolt takes you through a small overlap and onto a short, blank face. Climb this, pull the overlap above and continue up the corner system above to reach the top of the crag. First ascent: 2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| George’s Bush | 20 *** | 9D,A | 23m | Cool start, chains been lowered to better position to avoid rope damage. |
| Venus Fly Trap | 17*** | 9D | . | New route, FA??BB?? |
| Kate’s Moss | 17 *** | 6D,A | . | Climb a short corner system. There is some green rock just right of this climb. Easy if you have good footwork, really hard if you don’t! First ascent: 2004 Gunther Bargon. |
| Tom’s Cruise | 17** | 8D | . | FA/BB Guenther Bargon. |
| Start of the “Eagle Sector” | ||||
| Joint Venture | 22 *** | 11D | . | Climb diagonally left on the thin face past the obvious slope.. From the ledge, climb straight up through the roof above at an undercling/layback break. The final overhang is easier if taken to the left. |
| Yellow Submarine | 24 *** | . | 20m | Powerful start! Climb the overhanging groove with crux getting into the corner above. Easy rock leads to roof crack with another hard move. Climb easily to top. First ascent: Andrew Porter. |
| After Burn | 26 **** | . | . | Hard start. Eases up after 2nd bolt. First ascent: 2004 R. & G. Lowther and C. Rudolph. |
| Once there were warriors AKA You Snooze, You Lose | 25 **** | . | . | Cool route. Sustained line, definitely worth getting on. BB: R. Magg. First ascent: S. Bretherick. |
| Rat Kid | 25 **** | . | . | Cool route. Technical, facey start followed by an easy but pumpy finish.First ascent: Gary Lowther. |
| The Flying Dutchman | 28 *** | 10D | . | Some fun roof climbing with interesting moves. Feels like a gym climb. Bolted by and First Ascent: 2014 David Wade. |
| Black Pearl | 27 *** | . | . | Starts with some technical face climbing up to a big roof where the fun begins! Bolted by Andreas Kiefer. First Ascent: 2012 David Wade. |
| Hairy Maclary (from Donaldson’s Dairy) | 20 *** | . | 18m | Fun and unconventional route. Interesting finish. First ascent: Gunther Bargon. |
| Mostly Harmless | 21 *** | . | 25m | Climb the (often wet) corner system leading up to the roof. The crux is to break through this to the chains. First ascent: Roland Magg. |
| Elton’s John | 21 **** | 13D | 20m | Starts just right of MOSTLY HARMLESS. Long and sustained. First ascent: Roland Magg. |
| Blue Boots | 14 ** | . | 15m | Starts 2m left of the large recess. Moves left of the bulge above. First ascent: 2007 B. Frost. |
| End of the “Eagle sector” | ||||
| Wild Apricot | 15 *** | . | . | Interesting start, eases up after 2nd bolt. First ascent: 2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Naked Orange | 21 *** | . | . | A very thin start followed by some easier moves above the ledge. Tricky move to reach the chains.First ascent: 2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Green Machine | 18 *** | . | . | Very popular and long climb. Mostly good holds. Crux just before the chains.First ascent: 2003 D. Margetts and G. Frost. |
| Footloose | 25 ** | 5D | . | For the boulderers! Short and powerfull! First ascent: 2005 Mark Seuring. |
| The Shining | 25 ** | 6D | . | Big move to a pinch, followed by some super small crimps. (Possibly the smallest crimps at Bronkies).First ascent: 2007 Ken Thrash. |
| Bruce | 22 ** | . | 27m | Use a 60m rope for this one! Facy start, easy but fun finish. |
| Rule Number One | 22 *** | . | . | Climb the blank face up to the crack line and then out left onto the arête. The start is quite technical. |
| Wasabi | 23 *** | 12D | . | Solid 23. Overhanging route consisting of big reaches to good holds. |
| Of Mice and Men (2 pitch) | 22 *** | P1 – 7B+A, P2 – 5B+A | 30m | Can be climbed in one long pitch if you un-clip the first set of anchors after clipping the next bolt, so long as you clean the route in separate pitches. First ascent: 2004 S. Mallory. |
| New Year’s Revolution | 23 *** | 9D | . | Finish on the same chains as Of Mice and Men. For sure a full grade harder than OMAM. Due to broken foot grip a chain has been added to the second bolt to make it a bit easier to clip. Please do NOT remove this chain. |
| Fire Fly | 24 *** | 12D | . | Starts just right of the large overhang, and climbs an overhanging line up the arête. First ascent: 2004 R. & G. Lowther and C. Rudolph. |
| Red Dragon | 30 **** | 13D | . | Shares the first 3 bolts of Fire Fly, then branches left up to some steep climbing. First ascent: 2013 David Wade. |
| Back in Black open project | HARD | . | . | Shares the first 3 bolts of Fire Fly, then does the dyno of red dragon and heads left through some steep terrain to join keep walking johnny at its crux and then heads left again up over a roof and along an arete and then joins black out for its last 3 bolts. once done it may be the longest route at the crag, at 28m?? |
| Keep Walking Johnny | 27 **** | . | . | Starts on a crimpy face up to a ledge. Follow the bolts to the right where the pump begins! Steep climbing up mostly good holds to the chains. Nice and long and pumpy! First ascent: 2005 Mark Seuring. |
| Johnny Black | 29 **** | . | . | Starts on Keep Walking Johnny, then busts out left after Johnies crux to an arete. The line then joins Black Out for its last 3 bolts and ends on Black Out. First ascent: 2019 Wesley Black. |
| Black Out | 27 **** | . | . | Awesome line! A must do! At the ledge branch off to the left. Long and sustained. Bolted By: R. Lowther. First ascent: 2004 G. Lowther. |
| Blue Suede Shoes | 21 **** | . | . | Start up a vertical break. After the ledge, move diagonally right into the corner which leads through the large roofs above. First ascent: 2004 G. Frost, A. Lloyd and C. Havenga. |
| Mortal Blue | 25 *** | 14D | . | Shares the first 4 bolts of ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ then continues straight up to chains with an interesting crux. Bolted By and First Ascent: 2014 David Wade. |
| The Silence Of The Lambs | 25 ***** | 15D | . | A new classic. Climb the technical face up to the ledge. Some interesting moves getting to and going through the roof. Bolted By and First Ascent: 2012 David Wade. |
| Barbarians | 24 **** | 15D | . | Sustained difficulty moves from bottom to top. Bolted By and First Ascent: 2014 David Wade. |
| Lycan | 25 | ?D | . | Sustained powerful endurance line. Bolted By and First Ascent: 2019 Paul Bruyere. |
| Perch on this | 27 | . | . | First ascent: 2016 Andrew Pedley |
| Pew pew pew | 26 | . | . | Bolted by: Alex Bester, First ascent: 2016 Wesley Black |
| Big City Life | 23 ***** | ?D | . | The obvious crack line right of the roof area/nests. Opened on trad. First ascent: 2016 Ebert Nel. Bolted by: 2019 Paul Bruyere. |
| Galahad | 27 | ?D | . | Powerful bouldery line through a scoop/roof. Bolted By and First Ascent: 2019 Paul Bruyere. |
| Hoffman Half Beast | 26 | ?D | . | Powerful, big moves to big jugs, gate bending, dog bone munching line through a scoop/roof. Bolted By and First Ascent: 2019 Matthew Hoffman. |
| Invisible Sky | 24*** | 8D+A | . | 25m Start 3m to the right of Paranoia. Slap, slap past the second bolt, then head up for a smoof roof moof. Bolts sponsored by MCSA. FA: Sarel Petrus Nov 2019 |
| Paranoia | 23 *** | 9D | . | Upgraded from 22. First ascent: 2007 Ian MacMaster. |
| Devil’s Concubine | 22 **** | 13D | . | Use first bolt of Devil’s Disciple then go straight up and finish on last few bolts of Devil’s Disciple. First ascent: 2007 Ken Thrash. |
| Devil’s Disciple | 21 *** | 13D | . | First ascent: 2007 Ken Thrash. |
| Hello “Clarice” | 22 ***** | 11D | . | Long and sustained. First ascent:2007 Ken Thrash. |
| Stone Dogs | 21 ** | 11D | . | Intense start, eases up after that.First ascent: 2007 Ian MacMaster. |
| The Dark Half | 22 *** | 6D | . | Short, but sure to get you pumped! Climbs an overhanging crack/corner. Bring your trad instincts for this one.First ascent: 2007 Ian MacMaster. |
| Insomnia | 24 *** | 7D | . | Try not to climb “Lamb to the Slaughter” but rather stay on the right of “Lamb to the Slaughter”. First ascent: 2007 Ian MacMaster. |
| Lamb to the Slaughter | 20 *** | 11D | . | Layback, stem and crank through the steep start. Easy climbing then takes you to within a few meters of the top. You should climb straight up the final face, but the crack to the right is awfully tempting. First ascent: 2007 Ian MacMaster. |
| Hannibal Lecter | 23 *** | 10D | . | Starts with some on-balance face climbing. Hard to spot the holds but not too bad once you have the sequence.First ascent:2007 Ken Thrash. |
| Memoirs of a Belay Bunny | 22 **** | . | . | Cool route. Pull through the initial roof to reach thin moves up the face (crux). Above the ledge, continue more easily up the face and through the overhangs above.First ascent: 2004 S. Mallory. |
| If Women Were Gods | 20 **** | 14D | . | A Bronkies classic! Long and sustained! Start up a thin face below the overlap. Turn overlap on the right and head up to the ledge. Steep moves lead up the face to a rest before the break through the overhangs above. These overhangs will normally see some impressive ‘styling’ over a weekend. First ascent: 2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Urban Raptors | 24 *** | 13D | . | First ascent: 2004 G. Frost and C. Havenga. |
| Grim Reaper | 20 *** | 8D | . | Top anchors are in an indent and therefore not visible from below. First ascent: 2007 Ken Thrash. |
| Rock Flower | 16 ** | 10D | . | Grade adjusted from 17.First ascent:2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Squeaker | 16 *** | . | . | Grade updated. Can be 17 if you climb the face on the left of the corner below the chains.First ascent: 2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Grunter | 21 *** | 9D | . | Shares first two draws with Squeaker, then keeps left of it. BB Neil Margetts, FA Sarel Petrus Nov 2019. |
| P.M.S. | 20 *** | . | . | Unconventional climb, with interesting roof moves.First ascent: 2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Devil’s Advocate | 26 *** | . | . | . Very powerfull and bouldery crux.First ascent:Jan 2009 Ken Thrash |
| Devil’s Advocate Direct(open project) | Takes the direct start of devil’s advocate keeping just left of the bolts.Should be fairly hard. | . | . | .FA:Put your name here! |
| Ex Girlfriend’s Crack | 19 *** | . | . | For the trad kings and queens. This route is sure to test your technique!First ascent:2003 G. Frost and D. Margetts. |
| Angry Dragon | 21 | . | . | First ascent: Hector Pringle and Alan Grant |
| The Bat | 24*** | 11D | . | Very steep! Big moves to good holds. Lots of fun! Bolted By Daryll Margetts and David Wade. First Ascent: 2012 David Wade. |
| The Joker | 25*** | 10D | . | The steepest line at this section of the crag! Starts on some underclings. Some big moves on mostly good holds leads up to the white open-book/crack, which is the crux. A few powerful moves see you up to a ledge where you can rest before the last few thinner moves up to the chains. Lots of fun and quite sustained. Bolted By and First Ascent: 2013 David Wade. |
| Fruital Brute | 20 | . | . | Grovelly start, long run out to third bolt, potential for grounder. |
Courtesy of: Climb ZA and Mountain Club of South Africa
