Erica Buttress
Location: Starts from the Newlands Forest station.
Overview: A Route pioneered by Jeff Goy that ascends the lower sections of Erica Buttress to the Ledges-Ascension traverse.
Finding the start off the contour path can be difficult as it is trackless and in the trees. The OSM map can help pinpoint this. But don't expect it to be of much use on the rest of the route! Follow the RD, not the GPS.
Route Description of Erica Buttress 'B':
Ascension Ravine comes down the Eastern side of Table Mountain finishing in a big waterfall on the bottom rocks. Go up to the bottom of the waterfall following the track to the contour path directly above the Newlands Forest Station. Continue up into the forest (no path) ascending to the right of the stream. When you reach the waterfall traverse to the right under the cliffs. Go around the corner and move diagonally up for about 30 metres to reach another high ledge via a short B pitch on the right hand corner. It’s a bit bushy here.
Traverse on this level under the cliffs, right around Ascension Buttress, crossing Erica Ravine. Go up two short easy B pitches, gaining about 20 metres just before the crest of the buttress and prepare to tackle a short dassie traverse around the crest. This is quite exposed but goes at easy B (a rope is useful though). It is best done sitting on the rock, facing outwards.
The ledge widens considerably thereafter, and continues traveling to the right. Bypass the steep rock above you, until you reach an obvious gully above you. Here one finds a few short B pitches leading directly upwards, and through the rock. The rock climbing is over now.
Going directly upwards leads easily to the lower traverse leading left into Ascension Ravine. To get to the upper traverse, traverse to the right around the crest of the buttress, and move up an easy gully to reach it. This traverse goes to the right and finishes up on the knife edge just below the Ledges route.
Above description kindly supplied by Jeff Goy.
Finding the start of the route off the contour path through the trees can be tricky. The GPS tracks attached can be useful in this respect, but don't expect them to be of much use finding the rest of the route! GPS tracks in this sort of terrain are a rough guide at best.
