Traverse of the Gods
Location: Kloof Corner Buttress (Camps Bay side of Kloof Corner)
Overview: Starts at Kloof Corner and traverses round to Cairn Ravine on a spectacular dassie traverse. There are various alternative finishes.
Route Description:
Start from either Kloof Nek (or park near the cable station) and walk to the corner of Tafelberg Road at the entrance to the waterworks. Take the path that leads up to Kloof Corner. At the "band stand" right on the corner, drop down 3-4m to start the traverse. Traverse south under the main rock bands of Kloof Buttress for about 250m to the first easy break up through the rock band up to a broad grassy major ledge. If you reach a ravine, you have gone too far - come back about 100m.
Scramble about 50m up this break to a grassy ledge through easy broken ground, but take care as there is loose rock and bush. (Grade 3 to 4). When the ledge is reached, traverse past and through a prominent cave and through onto the major prominent ledges in the middle of the rock cliffs on Kloof Buttress.
Go along these ledges, gradually working one's way up to a higher ledge directly under the top cliffs. On the right hand corner of Kloof Butress, one then sees a rock platform high up on the right hand crest, as the butress turns back toward Cairn Ravine. Scramble up to that platform on easy rock.
Once there, the traverse proper begins, and the classic dassie traverse is clearly visible. Climb down a few metres and then traverse across, and then climb up an awkward step to reach a ledge just before the dassie traverse. (Grade 5 or "C" standard and very exposed. All but the most experienced may like th comfort of a rope, even though there is only one difficult move.)
The dassie traverse is easy, but climbing into it to lie down is awkward and exposed, bearing in mind one has to take one's pack off there. One finishes up on a narrow ledge that runs around towards Cairn Ravine. Take care on the exit ledge as although it is broad, there is loose rock underfoot.
Three possible return routes are possible:
Scramble up the left hand branch of Cairn Ravine (it is actually a separate ravine for 40-50m and bear left as soon as possible to gain the edge of the ridge. Follow the ridge all the way up to the steep cliffs that bar access to Kloof Corner Ridge, then traverse right to get into the gully that leads up to the window on Kloof Corner. Go up the gully, but do not follow it all the way up. About 50 from the top, move out left on easy ground to gain the path that runs from the top of Cairn Ravine (i.e. the Grotto-Fountain-Cairn path) and follow this to the window. Descend the Kloof Corner path, but cut off right about 100m (vertical) down following a vague cairned path to meet the India Venster path.
Do a descending traverse into Cairn Ravine and go down Cairn Ravine to meet the Pipe track.
Do an ascending traverse into Cairn Ravine and follow Cairn up to Fountain Ledges
Opening: TOG (as it is known) was opened by Jeff Goy and Ralph Roseman in about 1995. For some reason in fell into neglect until Jeff led an MCSA meet there in Dec 2010 to re-acquaint MCSA leaders with the route.
