It has been 50 years since Peter and Pam Angus-Leppan opened up their now legendary route on the north face of the Sentinel. A group of climbers ascended the route on 22 March 2009 in traditional climbing gear used in that era, to commemorate the ascent.
The north face of the Sentinel is an impressive mass of rock that looms over the well-known Sentinel Car Park. The approximate route is indicated on the photo below. Note that the route starts behind the prominent gendarme to the right, and the initial part is hidden from view (indicated by the dashed line).
The climbers, all from the Mountain Club of South Africa, included Gavin Raubenheimer, Andy Wood and Hannelie Morris, among others. They wore traditional canvas clothing and takkies (sports shoes), used original carabineers and pitons, and also employed traditional rope techniques (such as tying the rope around the waist and wrapping it around the body to abseil).
For more pictures and information visit the following links:
* MCSA Natal Section, May-June 2009 newsletter
* Angus-Leppan route turns 50 (SuperSport.com)
* Climbers follow famous footholds of the ’fifties (The Witness)
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