On Thursday evening it was almost clear that the weather would allow us to do Spring Buttress on Saturday; only that we needed to decide postponing the start to the second half of the day. On Saturday morning the rain then indeed stopped, followed by clouds, and finally the sun came out. No one had dropped out, and it was finally a group of fourteen that started at 2:30pm from Theresa Avenue.
We reached the starting point of the Spring Buttress route on Pipe Track after roughly 40 minutes and enjoyed the first scrambles including the squeeze through the big overhang bolder before we stopped for a first break in one of the built-in caves. From there we made our way further up. Everyone managed the technically more tricky rock-pitches without a rope. The views from the traverse were breathtaking. Everyone managed the step-out-and-around at ease.
After climbing the last big exposed bolder, we followed the traverse line further up, passed by the exit point of Spring-Wood traverse, and enjoyed magnificent views into Slangolie Ravine before further climbing up the steep gully section. Four participants started to head-off from there due to early evening appointments while the remaining group enjoyed the last fun scramble through the chimney at the right side of the gully before finally reaching the Apostles Path on top.
We took it rather slow on the way down via Wood Ravine. The late sunlight illuminated the partly cloudy mountain in a spectacular way and we enjoyed the sunset while walking back down to the cars.
Thank you everyone for a very special hike and a great time out in the mountain. Thanks all for being so flexible to rearrange time, for your patience and support. Thank you for your enthusiasm.
Photos by Chen Nakar, Devon Magan, Ethan Cox, Jean-Paul Van Belle, Ruth Knoblich