PROPERTIES — MPUMALANGA
Manoutsa
"If you think you’ve peaked, find a new mountain."
Venue Information
Venue Overview | Manoutsa offers over 100 traditional climbs on rock of excellent quality with very good gear placement. Routes are between 5 to 7 pitches with stunning views of the Lowveld. The climbing area is upstream of the Strijdom Tunnel on both sides of the road that leads down the escarpment towards Tzaneen. The difficult nature of both path and route finding means that MCSA meet participants have an ideal opportunity to familiarise themselves with the area. |
Permit / Permission info | None required. |
Approx travel time from Jhb | About 4 hours. |
Parking info | There are a number of climbing areas, each with its own parking arrangement described in the route guide. It’s usual to pay a parking fee to a home owner or a fruit stall owner at the end of the day for keeping an eye on your car. |
Walk-in | Walk-ins can be hot and paths difficult to find. Descent gullies are often rough going and can involve fighting through vegetation. Going with someone who knows the area, particularly on MCSA meets, is the best way to find your way up and down. |
Accommodation | The nearest accommodation is at Manoutsa Holiday Resort, where both camping and chalets are available. |
Availability of drinking water | Water from the Olifants River is Bilharzia infested so unsuitable for drinking. Climbing at Manoutsa is an all day, and often very hot affair. Please bring sufficient water. |
Climbing route guide | A full route guide is available from www.climb.co.za |
Climbing info | The 120 plus routes at Manoutsa are all traditional, between 5-7 pitches in length, and between grades 11 and 23. The rock quality is generally excellent, with very good gear placement, making it an ideal venue for intermediate to advanced leaders to hone their gear placement skills. Manoutsa is North facing, which makes it extremely hot in Summer, but ideal in Winter. Paths to the routes can be difficult to find, while the walk-offs are long and steep – taking up to two hours, so make sure you have enough water and food for a full active day. |
Child-friendly | No. |
Swimming | No – the nearby Olifants River is bilharzia infested. |
Camp fires | No. |
Other attractions | Excellent views of the Lowveld. |
| Dangers | The greatest danger is dehydration while climbing in the hot sun. Ensure that you have sunblock, head cover and sufficient water for the day. |
Contact details | Contact Manoutsa Holiday Resort to book accommodation (camping & chalets available). Tel: 0157955125 | Email:manoutsa@mweb.co.za Web: www.manoutsaholidayresort.co.za |
Disclaimer
Mountaineering, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking and other related activities are inherently dangerous and can lead to or cause serious injury, material loss and even death. The Mountain Club of South Africa advises that you only participate in these activities if you are competent to do so, or are under the guidance of an experienced person, and you are using the correct equipment. Any activity in which you participate, is done entirely at your own risk. The Mountain Club of South Africa accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for any accident, injury, death or material loss arising from participation in MCSA activities, no matter in what manner caused and whether allegedly due to negligence or not.