Amazing day of rock climbing!! Brilliant routes on incredible rock. Not a soul to be seen or hear all day. The climbs felt intimidating so the challenge was psychological more than physical! We both had some proper ‘dry mouth’ moments as we balanced our way upwards on insecure holds. Quite the buzz.

We climbed a handful or routes, which were all in the shade.

Perfect climbing conditions really and we ate our lunch just out from the crag so we could warm up in the sun! 

We were moving camp to ‘Cave Camp’ which is on the other side of the valley a kilometre or so away. After an adrenaline soaking few routes, our nerves were all climbed out and we walked back to Elephant Camp (where we’d spent the past two nights), feeling mentally exhausted and completely jubilant!

It was fun driving through the wilderness on a small sand track, which eventually led up onto an escarpment. The final section was literally driving over bedrock on top of a massive rock plateau. 

The camp is incredible! It is high up above the plains and we watch a Springbok walking about below us. The shower/toilet is under another huge boulder and looks out over the savannah. And up at the cave, there is an indoor area with private view terrace with outdoor shower!

We cooked up a feast by the truck, then went star gazing from the balcony. The stars are incredible. And all new as we are in the southern hemisphere. The Milky Way looks like a cloud across the sky. Another incredible place to spend the night! The only humans for miles around…

Climbs at Schattenwand:

• Application, 17**** (incredible!)
• Links Hoch, 16***
• Links Rechs, 16*** (good holds all the way)
• Imbiß, 19**** (1 hard move off the floor then easy)
• Der Gilb, 17***** (intimidating and amazing!)