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Cockscomb | Groot Winterhoek
Juan-Dray Marshall on The Ultimate Conjurer (23, A0) 2012. Photo thanks Derek Marshall collection.
John Moss & Mike Scott on the summit of Cockscomb after the FA of South Pillar, 1973. Photo courtesy Mike Scott.
Eastern Province Mountain Club on Cockscomb. Mervyn Chappel (L back), 1 of 3 Stooges (mid), unknown (R)(maybe John Damant) & Arthur Harlow (seated) ~ 1953. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Andrew Forsyth on South Pillar. This was on a home pass from the army during Andrew's national service in 1978. Photo courtesy Mike McKechnie collection.
John Moss on the summit of Cockscomb after the FA of South Pillar, 1973. Photo courtesy Mike Scott.
2nd last pitch of Smokey Buttress. Mervyn Chappel belaying up Ben Loots. On the first ascent of Smokey Buttress December 1961. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Climbers on Cockscomb Alec Pringle, Frank McLachlan & Brian Chandler 1964. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Derek Marshall on the FA of Draconian (19) at Cockscomb 2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall collection.
John Moss on the FA of South Pillar on Cockscomb, 1973. Photo courtesy Mike Scott.
Bill Baxter (?) & John Chapley on Smokey Buttress December 1961. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Eastern Province Mountain Club on Cockscomb ~ 1953. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Sun Rise From Dassie Cave. Derek Marshall 2020.
Juan-Dray & Derek Marshall on The Ultimate Conjurer (23, A0) 2012. Photo thanks Derek Marshall collection.
T'Numqua Cave, 23/04/2024. Photo Derek Marshall.
Tim Robertson & Bill Clark warming themselves at start of 2nd last pitch of Smoky Buttress September 1962. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Mac Geoghan climbing at Cockscomb ~ 1979. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Terence Trevaskis the master bog builder sitting on the new bog, 2022. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Andrew Forsyth on South Pillar. This was on a home pass from the army during Andrew's national service in 1978. Photo courtesy Mike McKechnie collection.
Echo Cave on the walk up to Cockscomb. Right to left; Raymond
Packwood, Ben Loots. The others are not identified. Photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth ~ 1978.
Terence Trevaskis on the summit after opening a route on the South Face. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall.
Mike McKechnie on top of Cockscomb 1978. Photo courtesy Mike McKechnie collection.
Climbers on Cockscomb Peak 2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall collection.
Terence Trevaskis traversing the knife-blade ridge. Behind is the Western Subsidiary Peak of the Main Cockscomb Peak. Feb 2022. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall.
Derek Marshall & Kaamilah Adams climbing at Cockscomb 2017. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Mac Geoghan belaying on Traverse of The Gods ~ 1979. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Mervyn Chappel on Smokey Buttress December 1961. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
John Chapley on Smokey Buttress December 1961. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Gordon Munro belaying Derek Marshall on FA of Arcane Rain Fell (19) Climbing at T'Numqua Cave, Cockscomb 2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall collection.
Christi Geldenhuys on FA of Chinchilla (19), 10/02/2024. Photo thanks Andy Wesson.
Juan-dray & Derek Marshall rock climbing at Cockscomb 2012. Photo thanks Derek Marshall collection.
Terence Trevaskis at the start of Ask for More Chicken (16) 2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Christi Geldenhuys on FA of Chinchilla (19), 10/02/2024. Photo thanks Andy Wesson.
Cockscomb 1958. Mike Streeter, Max Chappel, Dennis Thomas, Bill Clarke, Eddy Coke & Derry Hooper. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
T'Numqua Cave, 23/04/2024. Photo Derek Marshall.
Wallace Paterson, Max Chappel & Wouter Offerman. Climbers returning to Dassie Cave, Cockscomb 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Derek Marshall & Terence Trevaskis on the summit after opening a route on the South Face. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall collection.
Climbers in the luxurious Dassie Cave Dec 2021. Sylvan out of pic, Cameron Wesson, Terence Trevaskis, Derek Marshall & Ruben Snyman. Photo courtesy Sylvan Reynolds.
Tim Robertson trying to climb the overhang variation at the top of Smokey Buttress. September 1962. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Franz Nel AKA Pixie, the guy who Pixie's Pitch, on Lady' Slipper, is named after, climbing on Cockscomb. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Cockscomb, Aurelien Hees on the FA of Service With a Smile 2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Terence Trevaskis & Lizelle Niit enjoying the fire in T'Numqua Cave 2022. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Tim Robertson trying to climb the overhang variation at the top of Smokey Buttress. September 1962. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Juan-Dray Marshall chilling in T'Numqua Cave, Christmas day 2012. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall.
Traversing back to South Face Route. Cockscomb 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Jack Wallace, Correy, John Dixon, Gillian Hill, Mike Streeter, John & Neil Wallace, Geoff & Marion Streeter. Cockscomb summit 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Aurelien Hees climbing at Cockscomb 2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
T'Numqua Cave 2022. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall.
The South Pillar, Andrew Forsyth climbing & Mike McKechnie belaying. This was on a home pass from the army during Andrew's national service in 1978. Photo courtesy Mike McKechnie collection.
Coronation Buttress 1953, Tim Robertson belaying party up. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Cockscomb climbing 2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Franz Nel AKA Pixie, the guy who Pixie's Pitch, on Lady' Slipper, is named after, climbing on Cockscomb. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Ruben Snyman & Terence Trevaskis chilling in T'Numqua Cave March 2022, photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Juan-Dray Marshall relaxing at the water hole below the summit. 22/04/2024. Photo Derek Marshall.
T'Numqua Cave, non-member cave porn 17/02/2024. Photo Derek Marshall.
Cockscomb summit party 2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall collection.
The summit after The Spiral Route. Lizelle Niit, Werner Illenberger, Clive Louw, Derek & Juan-Dray Marshall 22/04/2024. Photo Derek Marshall.
Eastern Province Mountain Club on Cockscomb ~ 1953. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Climbers in Dassie Cave. Max Chappel on the right, 1959. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Cockscomb as viewed from the south west ridge. Photo thanks to Andy Wesson.
Cockscomb scrambling down off the peak in the dark. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Terence Trevaskis loaded up to carry in the parts of the new long drop, Dec 2022. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Derek Marshall opening Mud, Sweat & Fears on the northeast side, Dec 2021. Photo courtesy Terence Trevaskis.
Tim Jones doing the Spiral Route on the southern side after snow in 2014. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Rusty Streeter in Gillian Hill's beanie, lucky dog! 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Sylvan Reynolds relaxing (slacking!) after a long walk off on the jeep track on south side Cockscomb Dec 2021. Photo courtesy Cameron Wesson.
Cockscomb climbing party; Bill Clarke, Anton McLachlan maybe, Mike Streeter, Lilith & Colin Wynne, Tim Robertson, unknown & in front, Alec Pringle 1964. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Waterfall Cave early '50s. Photo courtesy Gill Shapley.
Sunset on Cockscomb Peak. Kaamilah Adams to the right. 2017 Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Cockscomb, photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth ~ 1978.
Dassie Cave on Cockscomb ~ 1953. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Dassies in Dassie Cave, Ruben Snyman, Derek Marshall, Zita Michau & a real Nepalese guy, Dec 2020 photo thanks Werner Illenberger.
Sunset on the summit - 2017. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall.
The Spiral Route before Traverse of the Gods, Lizelle Niit, Werner Illenberger, Clive Louw, Derek & Juan-Dray Marshall 22/04/2024. Photo Derek Marshall.
Un-identified climber on Cockscomb 1964. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
View from Maggie's Cave in the mist ~ 1977, photo thanks Werner Illenberger.
Climbing on Cockscomb. Neil Wallace leading 1964. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Hikers off to climb Cockscomb, photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth ~ 1978.
Cockscomb from the north ~ 1955. Photo thanks to Mike Streeter.
Dassie Cave, showing the wire, trellis & star petroglyphs. Zita Michau & random Nepalese guy, Dec 2020 photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Climbers on Cockscomb 1958. Wallace Paterson (Padda), Max Chappel & Wouter Offerman at neck. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Eastern Province Mountain Club climbing Cockscomb from the south ~ 1953. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Rescue training with airforce BK in gorges to north of Cockscomb ~ 2007. Photo courtesy Ben Arnold.
Eastern Province Mountain Club on the walking to Cockscomb from South Jan 52 ~ 1953. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
The surveyors Ken Rollo & Robert Myrdal surveying Cockscomb 1970. Photo courtesy Frans Loots.
1958 John Dixon, Gillian Hill cooking in Cathedral Cave (Erie Cave). Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
The road to Cockscomb. Geoff Streeter the mechanic & Mike Streeter on left, Colin Wynne & Bill Clarke 1964. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Terence Trevaskis & Dale Gathercole in Elephant Cave Feb 2022. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall.
VWSA party on the path from Cockscomb, Dec 2022. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Cockscomb summit, Christi Geldenhuys, Derek & Juan-Dray Marshall 17/02/2024. Photo Derek Marshall.
Cockscomb viewed from the south from a Harvard bomber 1955. Photo thanks to Mike Streeter.
Paintings in Elephant Cave. Derek Marshall 2020.
Cockscomb as viewed from the south west ridge. Photo thanks to Andy Wesson.
Dassie Cave on Cockscomb with Mervyn Chappel taking a very risky sunbath (Mountain Club porn) 1955. Photo thanks to Mike Streeter.
The surveyors Ken Rollo & Robert Myrdal surveying Cockscomb 1970. Photo courtesy Frans Loots.
T'Numqua Cave 2022. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall.
Cockscomb as viewed from the south west ridge. Photo thanks to Andy Wesson.
In 1958 Bill Clarke, Mervyn Chappel & Mike Streeter complete the first successful ascent of the 300-metre South Face Route. First tried by Denis Thomas & party. Photo thanks to Mike Streeter.
John Moss on the walk-in to Cockscomb via Echo Cave, 1973. Photo courtesy Mike Scott.
The surveyors Ken Rollo & Robert Myrdal surveying Cockscomb 1970. Photo courtesy Frans Loots.
MCSA party the Spiral Route on the southern side after snow in 2014. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Kim & Peta Cadle walking up the south side ~ 1974, photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghegan
The surveyors Ken Rollo & Robert Myrdal surveying Cockscomb 1970. Photo courtesy Frans Loots.
Dassie Cave breakfast with John Dixon, Mervyn Chappel & Hans Jorritsma, 1958 Photo thanks to Mike Streeter.
Cockscomb from the north. Photo courtesy Mike Scott collection.
Terence Trevaskis prep before assembling the new long drop, Dec 2022. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Juan-Dray Marshall relaxing on The Spiral Route. 22/04/2024. Photo Derek Marshall.
Gordon Munro belaying on the arete of Arcane Rain Fell (19) 2016. Photo from Derek Marshall collection.
John Dixon & Hans Jorritsma sleeping in Dassie Cave, Cockscomb, 1958. Photo thanks to Mike Streeter.
The surveyors Ken Rollo & Robert Myrdal surveying Cockscomb 1970. Photo courtesy Frans Loots.
MCSA party the Spiral Route on the southern side after snow in 2014. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Happy days on Cockscomb summit 2013. Photo thanks Derek Marshall collection.
Kaamilah Adams climbing at Cockscomb 2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
1958 Marion, Geoff Streeter & Rusty preparing for bed in Dassie cave. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Max Chappel climbing South Face Route 1958. Photo thanks to Mike Streeter.
The surveyors Ken Rollo & Robert Myrdal surveying Cockscomb 1970. Photo courtesy Frans Loots.
Terence Trevaskis on the opening ascent of Hou Koers (21) on the South Face, Feb 2022. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall.
Max Chappel John Dixon & Mike Streeter on South Face - June 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Cockscomb from the north. Photo courtesy Mike Scott collection.
The Marshalls on Cockscomb summit 2013. Photo thanks Derek Marshall collection.
Max Chappel on South Face Route 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Cockscomb Summit 1958. Hans Jorritsma, John Dixon, Mike Streeter, Max Chappel & maybe Dudley Mulder. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Geoff's Vauxhall stuck in drift on the way to Cockscomb , Lilith Wynne, Bill Clarke & Colin Wynne 1964. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Cockscomb 1958. Bill Clark, Derry Hooper, Dennis Thomas, Mike Streeter, Eddy Coke & Max Chappel. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Derek Marshall opening Mud, Sweat & Fears (19) on the northeast side,18/12/2021. Photo thanks Terence Trevaskis.
Cockscomb walk-in, Ludwig Abel & Curly Wallace 1964. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
The view from Cathedral Cave (aka Eerie Cave) with Geoff Streeter. Cockscomb 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Cockscomb sun setting on the descent. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Jack Wallace on Cockscomb in 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Bushman painting in Echo Cave. Possibly the person is being depicted playing a musical instrument. Photo thanks Werner Illenberger.
Kaamilah Adams & Gordon Munro on the Cockscomb summit path 2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
1958 Cockscomb, lunch at summit with Geoff & Marion Streeter on right, John & Neil Wallace on left. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Terence Trevaskis stirring shit in the old long drop, before adding culture, 2022. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Sunset from T'Numqua Cave 2016, photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Gordon Munro enjoying the scenery on the way to Cockscomb 2017. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Cockscomb climbing party; Bill Clarke, Anton McLachlan maybe, Mike Streeter, Lilith & Colin Wynne, Tim Robertson, unknown & in front, Alec Pringle. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
1958 Max Chappel sleeping in Dassie Cave. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
On the way to Cockscomb. Geoff Streeter on right laughing at a farmer come to help 1964. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Marion & Geoff Streeter with Rusty (the pooch) climbing Cockscomb from the north in 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Climbing party on Cockscomb in the snow 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Climbing party on Cockscomb in the snow 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Climbing party on Cockscomb in the snow 1958. The group setting home, Rusty prepared for the snow. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Jack Wallace's Kombi on the way back from a snowed out Cockscomb in 1958. This is the first Kombi built on the VWSA line in Uitenhage. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Sunset in T'Numqua Cave ~2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Merwyn (Max) Chappel abseiling over Dassie Cave, Cockscomb 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
1959 Mountain Club. Joan Damant, Curly Wallace, Peter Heugh, Les Armer, Donald Forsyth, Ludwig Abel. At the start of Cockscomb walk-in. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
1958 Cockscomb, South Face Route. Climb follows the prominent vertical crack. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Dassies in Dassie Cave, Zita Michau, Werner Illenberger & random Nepalese guy, Dec 2020, photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Doug abseiling at T’Numqua Cave late '70s. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Cockscomb from the south ~ 1953. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Happy days walking up Cockscomb - 2013. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall.
Eastern Province Mountain Club on Cockscomb ~ 1953. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
1959 Mountain Club including Neil & John Wallace, John Damant, Ludwig Abel. At the start of Cockscomb walk-in. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
The Pinnacle & Cockscomb. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Cockscomb rock art. Tockolosh Cave.
Mist & a rainbow from Dassie Cave Cockscomb 1958. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
1958 Sunrise from Dassie Cave. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
The "Dieing" Eland in Elands Cave. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Black eagle at Cockscomb. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Cockscomb the peak. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Cockscomb from the south seen from an airforce BK helicopter ~ 2007. Photo courtesy Ben Arnold.
Happy days walking up Cockscomb - 2013. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall.
Cockscomb, T'Numqua Cave. T'Numqua means people of the misty mountain. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
View of Cockscomb from Chases Kloof 1964. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Cam Wesson with north east side of Cockscomb behind him. Dec 2021. Photo courtesy Sylvan Reynolds.
Cockscomb in the news 1953. Courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Steam train Cockscomb in the background.
Cockscomb, photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth ~ 1978.
Cockscomb walk-in
Hiking up Cockscomb, right to left Tanya Klaasen, Jenny Burkinshaw & an unknown person, photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth ~ 1978.
1958 Flying to Cockscomb with the right facing open book crack of The South Face showing clearly. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Cockscomb peak from the north. Photo courtesy Derek Marshall.
Classic '59 Chev on the road to Cockscomb. Photo courtesy Mike McKechnie collection.
A young Bert Bongers takes a snooze at the top of Cockscomb, photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth ~ 1978.
Cockscomb from the south. Train in the foreground.
The vultures from the painting in Elephant Cave featured on a 1987 stamp first day cover. Also on the 20 cent stamp.
T'Numqua Cave, photo thanks to Morne van der Mescht ~ 2003.
Cockscomb at dawn. Photo thanks Werner Illenberger.
Derek Marshall & Andrew Pedley with Cockscomb in the back ground 2016. Photo thanks Derek Marshall collection.
1958 unknown person, Neil, John & Jack Wallace. Photo courtesy Mike Streeter.
Snow on Cockscomb in 2014. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
All the parts & some paint for the new long drop, Dec 2022. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Bert Bongers, Kim & Peta Cadle at Eyrie Cave on the south side ~ 1974, photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghegan
Cockscomb summit from the north. Photo Derek Marshall.
Cockscomb summit from the south west. Photo Derek Marshall.
Cockscomb Peak | Groot Winterhoek
All the climbing on Cockscomb is trad, there are no bolts. Cockscomb is an adventure country climbing venue. This means a fairly long walk-in, some veg, lots of fungus & potentialy loose rock. Currently there are 43 trad lines, but huge potential to open more routes. Walk-in takes about 5 to 6 hours with climbing gear.
Cockscomb is the iconic mountain peak that is visible from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) & Jefferies Bay.
Check out some of these pages for a better idea of the walk & location:
http://petergiddy.blogspot.co.za/2010/10/cockscomb-climb-october-2010.html
https://mcsasc.wordpress.com/2014/10/31/cockscomb-via-tnunqua-cave-17-19-oct-2014-bill-turner/
Stunning views.
Access
Cockscomb is on private land & there are 4 land owners involved. Access is controled & a bit complicated. Please contact info@easterncaperockclimbing.co.za or the MCSA to arrange access or better still join a party of people who have been up Cockscomb before & have the access arranged.
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