Right Face - Arrow Face

Location: Spectacular rock traverse across the Africa amphitheater, between Arrow Buttress and Right Face Buttress

OSM map  The path shows Union Ravine, Yellowstone Gully and Right Face - Arrow Face.

Overview: B Grade scrambling, requiring a good head for heights and sure footing. Overweight or large persons should not attempt this route, as there are tight spaces that need to be navigated.

The traverse can be done from either direction. It is recommended to approach it up Union and Yellowstone as a first experience, because it is more difficult to find the way down Yellowstone than going down India Venster.

Left to Right traverse:

MM Right Face - Arrow Face ‎(from Union Ravine)‎

Route Description: Via Union and Yellowstone Ravines to the traverse from Right Face to Arrow Face. From the Lower Cable Station, go up to the Contour Path and traverse 1km east across Africa Ravine and Union Ravine. Immediately after crossing Union Ravine, go up on the left hand side to bypass the overhanging waterfall. 

Ascending traverse right above the overhang to gain the start of Yellowstone Ravine. Follow Yellowstone all the way up until it tops out on the buttress overlooking Africa Ravine, scrambling up several rock steps. Traverse left around the base of Right Face and up a rock step. Above the step, ascending traverse right up and around the buttress to the start of the traverse across Right Face above Africa Ravine. 

At the end of the grassy ledge, go up a 3m step to the start of the first tunnel. At the end of the tunnel, drop down 3m and enter the next tunnel almost immediately. A tight squeeze out of this tunnel onto a narrow ledge brings one out onto the grassy ledge leading to the top of India Venster.

Descent: The shortest option is down India Venster, but one can also continue up on Fountain Ledges to the top of Table Mountain and descend via Platteklip Gorge or the Cable Car. If doing the traverse in the opposite direction (Arrow Face to Right Face) the only option is down Yellowstone and Union.

Right to left traverse:

MM Right Face - Arrow Fac...erse ‎(from India Venster)‎