Pimple Traverse

Location

Take the Suikerbossie Restaurant turnoff on Victoria road, and park on the left outside the Ruyteplaats Estate entrance gates. DO NOT go all the way to the restaurant to park. The route starts on the left of the Ruyteplaats gate.

OSM map

Overview

An interesting, rarely done traverse in a remote part of Table Mountain, which is why a body lay there for 6 months before it was found! Read the full story here in the Constantiaberg Bulletin.

Route Description

Ascent

Approach the traverse using the Llandudno Ravine description up to the point in the Llundono Ravine watercourse where staples are installed. Don't follow the ravine watercourse, rather go left up the slope with a faint path. Once on the top of a the minor saddle, take a steep slope to your right, following the path until you reach the ridge line of Llandudno Corner.

The traverse officially starts on the ridge. Continue the traverse until you reach a gully, this is Pimple Gorge. There's a cairn past the gully to mark the route going up to a high ledge. Continuing the traverse along this ledge you will pass above Lekkerwater Pinnacle, continue traversing until a interesting tea cave.

The traverse continues slightly below the tea spot, aiming for the dark corner to the right of Grove Buttress. From the corner of Grove Buttress (with interesting dark rock) descend into the tree covered section. Traverse around the Grove Buttress to the left corner of the the buttress and onto the Victoria Ravine slopes.

From here Victoria Ravine can be followed, or across Victoria Ravine to Victoria Gully just left of Separation Buttress. Scramble up the left of the gully negotiating a exposed rock shelf. Slightly higher up scramble back to the waterbed of the gully, which should be followed to the top keeping right where the gully splits. From the top a bit of possible bundu-bashing is required to reach the Apostles path.

Descent

The route can be descended via Llandudno Ravine or Llandudno Buttress. Myburgh's Waterfall Ravine is a longer more scenic descent option.

MM Pimple Traverse