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Lady's Slipper | Rock Climbing | Gqeberha (PE)
Andrew Forsyth on Mind Parasite (21) ~ 1983. Photo courtesy of Mike McKechnie collection.
What happens on Lady's Slipper...stays on Lady's Slipper! Photo thanks Anon horny chap.
Mike McKechnie climbing what would later become McKechnie's Madness (20) ~ 1978 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Rose Wood (Rob Mac Geoghan's mom) & Joan Mills on the summit of The Heel ~1950, Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Mike McKechnie climbing what would later become McKechnie's Madness (20) ~ 1978 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
1957 Mike Streeter learning rock climbing on the Lady's Slipper, in 1957. Photo courtesy of Mike Streeter.
Donald Forsyth & Peter Blignaut climbing in The Goldern Era Sector, on Lady's Slipper ~ 1950. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
John Alexander climbing McKechnie’s Overhang (20) Early '80, photo from John Alexander collection.
Allen Luck opening a route on Inyati (Buffalo) Buttress ~ 2002
Donald Forsythe & Joan Mills on Slipper 1951, Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Rob Mac Geoghan on piton crack, note the parabat kevlar helmet ~ 1987. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Joan Mills, Erik Manson, Rose Wood (Rob Mac Geoghan's mom), Donald Forsyth (Andrew Forsyth's father) on the summit of The Heel at Lady's Slipper ~ 1950. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Climbers body belaying on Lady Slipper ~ 1950. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Eric Manson climbing the classic Piton Crack 1952, Photo by Ian Philips, courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Andy Wesson bouldering on After Dinner Mint in about 1993, photo thanks to Andy Wesson collection.
Eric Manson & Rosemary Wood climbing on Lady's Slipper 1952, Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Eric de Beer bouldering at the Slipper 2002, pic thanks Eric De Beer collection.
Rob Mac Geoghan (the Pope of PE climbing) opening Harrier 1982. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Andy Wesson on Social Cabbage 7A+ After Dinner Mint in about 1993, photo thanks to Andy Wesson collection.
Lady's Slipper Rock Climbing, Juan-Dray Marshall on Wild Child (32) ~ 2011
Andy Wesson bouldering on After Dinner Mint in about 1993, photo thanks to Andy Wesson collection.
Craig Reynolds on the classic 6B+ All I Need at After Dinner Mint in about 1993, photo thanks to Andy Wesson.
Eric de Beer PE local bouldering on the Slipper 2002, pic thanks Eric De Beer collection.
Andy Wesson on the classic 6B+ All I Need at After Dinner Mint in about 1993, photo thanks to Andy Wesson collection.
Martin Renz at Hidden Boulder on the Lady's Slipper 2008
Juan-dray opening a new sport line on The Heel, Lady's Slipper Rock Climbing. ~ 2017
Andy Wesson Slipper Boulder Truth 6A at After Dinner Mint in about 1993, photo thanks to Andy Wesson collection.
Night bouldering on the Lady's Slipper, Derek Marshall ~ 2015
Lady's Slipper Rock Climbing, Juan-dray Marshall at Falcon Rock ~ 2009
Lady's Slipper Rock Climbing - Falcon Rock, Juan-dray Marshall ~ 2009
Derek Marshall sending Finger Tip Explosion (25) on the Slipper ~ 2014
Harry Yoko abseiling at The Fire Place Area ~ 1950. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Juan-dray Marshall opening a Wild Child (32) on Lady's Slipper
Scrambling near Piton Crack the classic 14 ~ 1950 photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Andy Wesson bouldering on After Dinner Mint in about 1993, photo thanks to Andy Wesson collection.
Heel abseil circa 1953. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Peter Bicknel on Slipper, 1951. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Climber on what is now Water Babies (14) in Back In The Days Sector, 1952. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Climbers on Battle Face ~ 1950. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Climber on The Heel on Lady's Slipper ~ 1950. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Harry Yoko climbing Piton Crack ~ 1950. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Harry Yoko belaying & Ludwig Abel climbing ~ 1950. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Allen Luck opening a new line on the Lady's Slipper, 2006. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Climbing on the Lady's Slipper 1976. Photo courtesy of Anton MCLachlan.
Mike McKechnie on Pixies Pitch 1974. Pixies Pitch is named after Franz Nel AKA Pixie. In those days Pixies was a popular climb often repeated. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Franz Nel AKA Pixie ~ 1975. Note the overalls. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
1977 Mike McKechnie on what we now call 1987 (5C) On the After-Dinner Mint boulder. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Mike McKechnie on After-Dinner Mint (6A+) ~ 1980 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Kim Cadle climbing Grovelers ~ 1978 Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Mike McKechnie climbing to the left of Piton Crack. Note the crazy body belay technique. ~ 1978 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Alex Von Alten-reuss on After-Dinner Mint (6A+) ~ 1984 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
William Quixley climbing, Rob Mac Geoghan on belay, Pixies Pitch ~ 1980 Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Andrew Forsyth aiding up Hollow Men (22). Andrew latter freed it in 1985 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Andrew Forsyth aiding & cleaning Hollow Men (22). ~ 1985 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Mike McKechnie gardening the Gutter on Battle Face ~ 1983 Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Brad Sharp belaying & Mike McKechnie climbing what would later become McKechnie's Madness (20) ~ 1978 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
An interesting early picture of the eastern end of Van Stadensberg, showing the vegetation as it was in the early 1900s.
Arthur Harlow & Rose Wood (Rob Mac Geoghan's mom) on The Heel, Lady's Slipper ~ 1950 photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Lady's Slipper in 1958. Photo courtesy Tristan van Der Merwer collection.
Andrew Forsyth at Turning Rock ~ 1980 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
John Mac Geoghan (Rob Mac Geoghan's father) abseiling ~ 1960. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Lady's Slipper in 1958. Photo courtesy Tristan van Der Merwer collection.
Andrew Forsyth climbing & Mike McKechnie belaying at Back in the Day's Sector ~ 1980 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Arial view of the Slipper from about 1970. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger collection.
Lady's Slipper Rock Climbing, Derek Marshall doing the easy sport routes on The Wave. ~2015
Andrew Forsyth, note the squash takkies ~ 1985 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Mike McKechnie bouldering on After Dinner Mint ~ 1987 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Gill Shapley abseiling on the Lady's Slipper ~ 1960, photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Andrew Forsyth climbing at Twinkle Toes Wall ~ 1985 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Lady's Slipper from the east as the darkness falls, picture taken by Derek Marshall.
Andrew Forsyth aiding & cleaning somewhere on Twinkle Toes Wall ~ 1985 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Flex sending Screamer (29) at Hidden Boulder on the 2009 Petzl Rock 'n Road Trip. Photo thanks to Martin Renz collection.
Gus Teeton, Lady's Slipper Bouldering - After Dinner Mint ~ 2015.
Dricus Bezuidenhout bouldering on the Slipper 2002, pic thanks Eric De Beer.
Andrew Forsyth aiding & cleaning somewhere on Twinkle Toes Wall note the hockey socks. ~ 1985. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Andrew Forsyth on the FA of Foot Up Direct (20) 14 Sept 1979. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Dricus Bezuidenhout bouldering on the Slipper 2002, pic thanks Eric De Beer.
Andrew Forsyth cleaning somewhere on Twinkle Toes Wall. Those solid bar friends would have been some of the first in the EC ~ 1985. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Lady's Slipper Bouldering on After Dinner Mint.
Lady's Slipper Rock Climbing some where on The Heel.
Andrew Forsyth bouldering at After Dinner Mint ~ 1980 Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Andy Wesson bouldering on After Dinner Mint in about 1993, photo thanks to Andy Wesson collection.
Andrew Forsyth belaying an unidentified climber at the Rhino ~ 1980 Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Climbing at Lady's Slipper, Clee Roy leading The Hollow Men (22) - Sept 1985. Photo courtesy Andrew Forsyth.
Rob Mac Geoghan belaying Alan Gibb up Sky Line on The Wave ~ 1983 Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Clee Roy leading The Hollow Men (22) - Sept 1985. Photo courtesy Andrew Forsyth.
Mike McKechnie belaying an Alan Gibb up what we now call 1887 (5C) on the After-Dinner Mint boulder ~ 1982 Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Andrew Forsyth bouldering at After Dinner Mint ~ 1980. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Derek Marshall on a new line at Inyati on the Slipper 2006. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Mike McKechnie on Skyline ~1984. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Andrew Forsyth aiding & cleaning Don't wait For Heroes (23) ~1984. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Rob Mac Geoghan cleaning a problem on Brontosaurs ~ 1984 Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Rescue helicopter landing on The Heel, Lady's Slipper ~ 2019. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
Andrew Forsyth leading Foot Up (17) - Dec 1977. Photo courtesy Andrew Forsyth.
Andrew Forsyth aiding & cleaning Don't wait For Heroes (23) ~1984. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Brett Myrdal climbing & Andrew Forsyth belaying at the Rhino ~ 1980 Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Andrew Forsyth aiding & cleaning Don't wait For Heroes (23) ~1984. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Mike McKechnie bouldering on After Dinner Mint ~ 1987 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Andrew Forsyth on the FA of Foot Up Direct (20) 14 Sept 1979. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Steven Reed, the only true legend of Eastern Cape climbing, posing on The Wave ...on top rope...hehehe ja Stevie! Show us the Werewolf! ~ 2003. Photo thanks to Morne van Der Mescht.
Andrew Forsyth aiding & cleaning Don't wait For Heroes (23) ~1984. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Alvin Wood sending Twinkle Toes in about 1983.
Mike McKechnie climbing, while Rob Mac Geoghan belays ~ 1981Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Andrew Forsyth leading Jurassic Roof (19) ~1983. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Climbing somewhere on the Slipper, Brett Myrdal ~ 1978, Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Mike McKechnie repeating Piton Crack in 2009. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Andrew Forsyth leading McKechnie's Overhang (20) ~1979. Photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth collection.
Wayne Clausen following Pixies Pitch ~ 1979. Photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth collection.
Andrew Forsyth on the FA of Foot Up Direct (20) 14 Sept 1979. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Mike McKechnie bouldering on After Dinner Mint ~ 1987 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Climbers on The Heel ~ 1964, photo thanks to R. Nixon.
Mike McKechnie on the FA of Public Day Special ~1979. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Mike McKechnie top roping Skyline ~1976. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Andrew Forsyth belaying on the Slipper ~ 1977. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Mike McKechnie bouldering on After Dinner Mint ~ 1987 Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Rob Mac Geoghan following Mike McKechnie on Piton Crack in 2009. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Climbers at Lady's Slipper ~ 1979. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Kim Caddle & Tony Tonin climbing on the Slipper ~ 1979. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Tony Tonin climbing on the Slipper. Tony went on to become president of the MCSA EP Section. Tony passed away in 2020. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
John Damant facing the camera, Lady's Slipper 1957. Photo courtesy of Mike Streeter.
Geoff Streeter climbing on the Lady's Slipper in 1955. Photo courtesy of Mike Streeter.
Mike McKechnie in his bell bottoms & fires. Bouldering at After Dinner Mint ~ 1980. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Wayne Claasen & Mike McKechnie climbing at Twinkle Toes ~ 1979. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Lady's Slipper in the news, 1953. Courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
1964 EP Herald Heads for Heights, courtesy of Mike Streeter.
Rob Mac Geoghan watching the sunset on top of Lady Slipper. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
1964 EP Herald Heads for Heights, courtesy of Mike Streeter.
Kim Caddle on the Slipper ~ 1979. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.
Vest from the first climbing comp held in PE. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Rob Mac Geoghan & Mike McKechnie on the Slipper summit ~ 2005. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
Camp Trails, where climbers bought their gear in PE in the '80s. Wayne Clausen behind the counter & Mike McKechnie shopping. Photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.
PE Friendly Penguins explore the Slipper after the fire in 2004. Dricus Bezuidenhout standing, Stephen & Morne van der Mescht.
Spectacular Slipper sunset 2006. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Lady's Slipper in 1958. Photo courtesy Tristan van Der Merwer collection.
Lady's Slipper in 1958. Photo courtesy Tristan van Der Merwer collection.
Slipper from the west ~ 2019. Photo thanks Derek Marshall.
PE climbing crew on their way back from the Slipper. Dricus Bezuidenhoud on the right ~ 2007. Photo thanks Dricus Bezuidenhoud.
Lady’s Slipper | Rock Climbing
People have been rock climbing on the Lady's Slipper since about 1949. Situated 35km out of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), the climbing routes are a pleasant walk up a hill. The boulders are scattered, but most are at the base of the Slipper. Rock is quartzite. There are 32 sport routes, 300 short trad routes & about 100 boulder problems. There is potential for squeesing in a few new routes & boulder problems. One open sport project is begging to be opened & there are 8 boulder projects still to be sent.
Access
The portion of the Slipper owned by the Mountain Club is only accessable by members or people accompanied by a member. Private property!
Falcon Rock has their own path to the summit. They have their own boulders & small sport crag. See the Falcon Rock climbing & boulder guide for more information. There is a small entrance fee.
Falcon Rock is your best bet for accomodation in the area. http://www.falconrock.co.za/