Back to index
Pinnacle Gorge | Groot Winterhoek

Werner Illenberger, the very naughty chap, climbing & just being bad in Pinnacle Gorge ~1978. Photo courtesy Mike McKechnie collection.

John Moss on top of The Pinnacle after Mike Scott & his FA of Morning Face 17 July 1973, photo thanks to Mike Scott.

Rob Mac Geoghan on Poetry in Motion 1973, Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.

Morne van der Mescht & Eric de Beer on The Composer (Spider) 2003, photo from Eric de Beer.

John Moss on Spiders' Web in 1979, photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.

Allen Luck opening a new line at Pearly Gates ~ 2001.

Unknown climber climbing on Wild Side ~1993, photo thanks to Andy Wesson.

Juan-dray Marshall opening the route on the down stream side of The Pinnacle.

Unknown climber climbing on Wild Side ~1993, photo thanks to Andy Wesson.

Mike McKechnie on Spiders' Web in 1975, photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.

Allen Luck on top of the pinnacle ~ 2001

Pinnacle Gorge, Eastern Cape

Morne van der Mescht & Eric de Beer on The Composer (Spider) 2003, photo from Eric de Beer

Derek Marshall opening a new route

Garvin Jacobs opening a new line

Garvin at Malteze Cross Sector.

Terence Trevaskis climbing in Pinnacle Gorge 2021.

Mannie at Big Daddy Wall.

Dave Harding not dying on the Pinnacle.

Brett Myrtle climbing in Pinnacle Gorge ~1978. Photo courtesy Mike McKechnie collection

Garvin Jacobs opening a new line at Pinnacle.

Andrew Forsyth on the opening ascent of Look Ma, No Hands (17) in 1983, photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.

Allen Luck, king of The Buffalo, on top of The Pinnacle ~ 2001.

Andrew Forsyth on the opening ascent of Look Ma, No Hands (17) in 1983, photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.

Alana on Belly Dancer (21) at Big Daddy Wall ~ 2016.

John Moss climbing in Pinnacle Gorge in 1975, photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.

John Moss on Spiders' Web in 1975, photo thanks to Mike McKechnie collection.

John Alexander does the standard route up The Pinnacle ~ 2017.

Terence Trevaskis following Derek Marshall on Flesh & Fire 2021.

Wayne Clausen & Alex Paterson on the FA of Graduation (14), 25 September 1982. Photo courtesy Mike McKechnie collection.

Andrew Forsyth climbing Spider's Web ~1980. Photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth collection.

Another route openned ~ 2016.

Andrew Forsyth cleaning Spider's Web ~1980. Photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth collection.

Windica on Finger Crack (17) ~ 2016

The classic Finger Crack (17), John Alexander ~ 2016

Mike McKechnie on 2nd pitch of Magic Roundabout (16) ~ 1980. Photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth collection.

Climbing The Pinnacle, John Alexander on the standard route ~ 2017

Louis following Pinnacle Face (17) ~ 1980. Photo thanks to Andrew Forsyth collection.

Dave Harding on top of The Pinnacle after all his trad placements popped ~ 2015

Che on The Pinnacle 2016

Che Freeze climbing Belly Dancer (21) at Big Daddy Wall 2016

John Alexander on the classic traditional route up The Pinnacle 2016

Climbers on Pornoster at Pinnacle Gorge 2018

Morne van der Mescht on the FA of Puffadder Club (25) in 2000.

Natalie van Loggernberg climbing DJ Arete ~ 2009

Camping at Pinnacle Gorge - Derek Marshall's 40th ~ 2013

Camping in Pinnacle Gorge 2018

Steven Reed posing with his drill. Interestingly this is the exact same drill that is posing with Andrew Wesson, see pics on van Stadens page ~ 2001

Bushman paintings at Pinnacle Gorge

Derek Marshall on an FA of Pillars of Steel (17) on the Angel Wall, 2004.

Fun teasing Garvin!

Derek Marshall on an FA in The Porn Sector ~ 2007

Steven Reed climbing on the Mail Wall in about 2001. Photo Derek Marshall collection.

Derek at Pinnacle Gorge ~ 2004. Photo thanks to Morne van der Mescht collection.

Puff adders at Puff Adder Club ~ 2004. Photo thanks to Morne van der Mescht collection.

Mike McKechnie leading & Brett Myrdal belaying ~ 1978. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.

Mike McKechnie following & Brett Myrdal belaying ~ 1978. Photo courtesy Werner Illenberger.

Brad Sharp & Kim Cadle climbing on the Pinnacle ~ 1979. Photo courtesy Rob Mac Geoghan collection.
Pinnacle Gorge
Please note that the exact location can’t be given as access is extreme sensitive.
There are a about 485 traditional trad lines & 37 sport routes (5 are open sport projects) set in a very senic gorge. The climbing is fantastic, the bush camping is awesome. There is a full route guide that can’t be distributed at this stage.
Access
The farmers do not want climbers they do not know camping in Pinnacle Gorge without supervision. This means that climbers that have not been there a few times need to go with someone who knows the farmer. Please respect this & don’t take any chances, the farmers out here are not to be fooled with.
For more information please contact info@easterncaperockclimbing.co.za .