Hairpin Route - Table Mountain Climbing Guide

Overview: opened by Martin Versfeldt, D. Gordon Mills & HG Wood in 1927, arguably the most remote & inaccessible hiking route on Table Mountain. This is an approximation of the original route following the chapter in Riaan Vorster's book Lines of Least Resistance.

The route is an interesting piece of history but not an enjoyable one to do. The entire route is severely overgrown, and under direct sunlight which makes the approach and scrambles an arduous task. The first pitch - a 15m C+/D slab climb - is a very serious obstacle and marks a point of no return therefore only highly experienced mountaineers should consider this route. 

Route Description: Begin at Cosy Beach parking lot just north of 12 Apostle's Hotel. Ascend the initial slope head on or up the Gully in the Left-Hand corner. After 200m you will encounter a contour path running perpendicular, follow this right for ~100m until you encounter a path that turns left up the slope (It is not marked on OSM but is quite obvious in person) that will link to the higher 160m contour path. Follow this right for ~300m into the corner where the "Lekkerwater" watercourse begins. Here any resemblance of a path terminates, continue up the slope where you can generally follow small animal tracks seperated by thick bush, while generally hugging the bank of the watercourse. At the 260m contour the watercourse splits into two branches, follow the right hand branch that originates from Obscure Ravine (Labelled "Needle Ravine" on OSM). Continue in this direction until you reach the ledge beneath the headwall (~520m asl) between Obscure Ravine & Disa Corner. The bush becomes even thicker on the final push to the ledge - this can be bypassed by traversing right and sticking to the rock bands - however this requires some short sections of D grade climbing.

Upon the ledge, traverse it for 80m to the first scramble pitch - there is a rather obvious track to stick to but it requires going on all 4s at certain points to get beneath very thick tree cover. You will pass by a very small overhang of orange rock on a corner, and immediately after encounter the first scramble pitch. This pitch is essentially a lichen covered slab climb for 15m up at C+/D grade, requiring a lengthy traverse right to top out. This should be roped regardless of experience level however there is poor protection available for the leader and so they must be highly competent. This pitch is a point of no return, it cannot be safely down-climbed and there are no spots for a rappel anchor without sacrificing significant amounts of gear.

Top out and gain about 30m of elevation, crossing the wide bushy ledge to the inside corner in the centre of the next rock band (~580m asl) beneath an overhang at the top of the headwall. A 3m B+/C grade chimney can be climbed to a small ledge which reveals an 8m C grade scramble up the recess. This pitch is very enjoyable, it is rather exposed but on very clean rock and at a typical difficulty for the grade but should still be roped for less experienced members.

Top out on a narrow ledge and traverse ~70m to a gully, the ledge is generally wide enough to walk confidently but has small sections that are trickier. Follow the gully up ~80m until you encounter the rocks on the right side near the top, it is extremely steep but only A+ grade. Turn out right and follow the rocks to the summit of Disa Corner.

The main Apostles path can then be reached by crossing the vlakte for 350m. 

Descent: Lladudno Ravine is by far the easiest descent but does require car shuffling or organising an alternative lift to return to the start. The most direct descent is down Needle Ravine, this still requires bundu-bashing but is far more forgiving than the ascent.