GoVertical Mountaineering Adventures South Africa

Adventure for 2012

2012-01-08T09:48:00.003+02:00

Here’s to a prosperous New Year, we hope that 2012 will be a fantastic busy year with a multitude of tourists to enjoy the Garden Route. We’re thoroughly excited at the prospects that 2012 brings, we’ve just been granted a concession by SAN PARKS to offer guided canoe trips on the Knysna Lagoon. Of course all our other adventures are still available. Check out our website www.govertical.co.za for pictures, options and information, but below are some of the highlights for the New Year. If you want to make a booking give us a call on 082 731 4696 or send us an email, info@govertical.co.za

KNYSNA CANOEING ADVENTURES

KNYSNA ESTUARY EXPLORER

Get out onto the water and close to nature, we’ll guide adventurers on a canoeing trip on the spectacular Knysna lagoon & tannin coloured Knysna River. Our knowledgeable guides provide all the info on fauna, flora & history while clients have fun in the sun. No experience is necessary for these adventures and we’re certain everyone will master our super stable easy to paddle kayaks in no time. We provide all the necessary equipment, canoes, life jackets, paddles and guides, just need to relax and enjoy the tour. The scenery is beautiful and the clean clear lagoon is one of South Africa’s treasures.

Half Day Explorer

Paddle along the Western end of the Knysna Lagoon, great views of the Heads, Featherbed nature reserve and Leisure Isle

Morning Trip: Start 08h00 end around noon

Afternoon Trip: 13h00 ending at 17h00

Includes all gear, guides, bottled water, optional transfer to site.

Price R 450.00 per person

Full Day Knysna Estuary Explorer

From the forested banks of the cola coloured waters of the Knysna River and the way down to the Knysna Heads the lagoon empties into the ocean.

Start 08h00 end around 16h00, includes all gear, guides, bottled water, adventurers lunch, return transfer to site.

Price R 550.00 per person

KNYSNA ADVENTURE TRAIL

An awesome combination adventure that starts off with a morning canoe trail on the Knysna Estuary followed by a magnificent beach walk in the afternoon. This is a great way to explore the beauty and diversity of the Knysna Lagoon and coastline.

Start 08h00 end around 16h00, includes all gear, guides, bottled water, adventurers lunch, return transfer to Knysna.

Price R 590.00 per person

GOVERTICALMOUNTAINEERING ADVENTURES

GUIDED DAY HIKES

Depending on your preference GoVertical Mountaineering guides offer a hectic peak climb, a magical forest trail or leisurely exploration of the tidal pools and beaches along the Garden Route. Our website has plenty of pics and info on our various hiking options, otherwise give us a call and we’ll suggest the best option for you, your fitness level and the area. All full day options include our legendary Hikers picnic.

Half Day Hike

Starts at 08h00 ends around 13h00

Includes guides, 500ml of bottled water, optional transfer to site.

Price R 450.00 per person

Full Day Hike

Starts at 08h00 ends around 13h00

Includes guides, 500ml of bottled water, hikers lunch, optional transfer to site.

Price R 550.00 per person

ABSEILING

Maximum thrill, minimum effort and magnificent views, our guides keep you safe while you plunge over the edge of a mighty cliff near Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

Morning Trip: Start 08h00 end around noon

Afternoon Trip: 13h00 ending at 17h00

Includes all abseiling gear, guides, bottled water, optional transfer to site.

Price R 450.00 per person

KLOOFING
Take a plunge into clear coke coloured water, while white cliffs and thick forest tower above you. Kloofing or Canyoning on the Garden Route is a hectic, adrenalin filled adventure suitable for the fit, adventurous & those who love to spend time in the water.

Start 08h00 end around 16h00, includes all Kloofing gear, guides, bottled water, adventurers lunch, return transfer to site.

Price R 550.00 per person

ROCK CLIMBING

On coastal crags or in the rugged mountains we’ll teach you the basics, brush up your technique or guide you on some unforgettable rock climbing routes near Knysna, George and Plettenberg Bay

Morning Trip: Start 08h00 end around noon

Includes all Climbing gear, guides, bottled water, optional transfer to site.

Price R 450.00 per person

Let us know if you’d like the full adventure details on any of the above or are keen to make a booking.

Have an excellent New Year

Latest News

2011-12-05T08:12:00.001+02:00

GoVertical Mountaineering guides offer an action packed five days in the Drakensberg or Cape Fold Mountains. This is an opportunity to break away from the daily grind, a personal growth experience in the vastly different environment of South Africa’s great mountain ranges, learn practical mountaineering skills while immersing yourself in the beauty of the wilderness.

These challenges are a rewarding life experience on their own, but the skills acquired can also be used as a grounding for future leisure time in the outdoors or a sound base from which to enter the professional adventure guiding industry. No previous experience is necessary. Group sizes are between 4 and 10 people. You’ll experience:

Hiking, - everything you need to know from how to properly pack a backpack to avoiding hazards/ river crossings

Rock Climbing & abseiling, - The basic rope techniques, knots, a set ups and technical skills we’ll include a peak climb

Mountain craft, - From judging weather to choosing the best terrain

Camp Craft, - how to choose a great site, make a safe and efficient camp and of course prepare GOOD food.

Environmental aspects, all about the Drakensberg or Cape Fold mountains and what makes these areas worthy of conservation

Just in time for the Holidays

2011-11-24T21:40:00.001+02:00

Hi Everyone

We’ve been incredibly slack in sending out our newsletter in the last half of 2011, sorry about that, but it is for an exciting reason. GoVertical Mountaineering Adventures is celebrating 10 years of passionately providing eco-adventures to the local and foreign tourism market and just to make sure that we still deliver adrenalin filled Adventures with enthusiasm and commitment, we’ve developed a whole new set of adventures… on the Garden Route.

Yip we’re down in the gorgeous Western Cape exploring gorges, trekking peaks, hiking in forests, meandering along beaches, indulging in Slack Packing – you have to check that out on the website, it’s the lazy man’s delight, fantastic hiking, no heavy bag, luxury accommodation, excellent food, wine and spectacular scenery – and now we invite you to join us. We know all you Gauteng folks deserve a holiday, so please come down and visit us! Have a look at the website which has a whole lot of the new Garden Route Adventures, some highlights: The Whale Trail, Over Night Canoe Trips, Sea and Summit Combo’s, great climbing and awesome abseiling and the best Kloofing in the country. GARDEN ROUTE ADVENTURES

Ok, so what’s happening up there in GP? The adventures continue, Mark and Emile are the guides who have taken over GoVertical’s Gauteng adventures. We still do the bookings, so if you’re keen for some Abseiling, Rock Climbing, Rafting or Kloofing during the December vacation, email us and make a booking.

And make a date for our Drakensberg adventures or take on the challenge of our favourite African summits, Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya.

Especially for the Holidays –

WILDERNESS MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE

Are your kids tired of studying, do they need a break from traditional learning and city life, have a look at our Wilderness Mountain Experience for young adults, ages 14 -19. It’s an awesome 5 days in the Cape or Drakensberg mountains doing all the fun stuff, abseiling, hiking, climbing and camping, email us for details

So, we hope to see you on the beach, in the mountains on the crags and in the forests, remember all GoVertical’s adventures are available 365 days a year, just email us for details or to make a booking

Winter Warm Up - July 2011

2011-06-22T07:51:00.000+02:00

We hope you’re all keeping warm and healthy in this icy weather. The best thing about Gauteng winters are the gorgeous sunny days, perfect for Climbing, Hiking and Abseiling in the Magaliesberg!

You can do all of these adventures individually, but if you want a decadent all in one adventure that’ll give you a taste of all the excitement out there, join us on our Hike, Climb and Abseil Adventure. You don’t need any experience for this 3 in 1 adventure and we’ll give you the opportunity to GoVertical – up and down – with all the gear, guides and instruction. See below for details and email us to make a booking.

If you’re feeling really adventurous and join us in the Drakensberg to explore the best of the Berg in all its winter splendor, our Sentinel Peak Climb is magical on a clear winter day and of course seeing the Tugela Falls choked with ice as it tries to tumble over the Amphitheatre is a photographers delight! See out Amphitheatre Trek. We have a Northern Drakensberg Traverse in August that you still have time to get fit for, email us if you’re keen for a real challenge

We’ve introduced so many people to the fantastic world of climbing over the last few month’s that we’ve barely got time to do anything else, all of you, who’ve joined us on the Introductory Climbing course, grab a place on our Sport Climbing Course – it’s the second step – and you’ll be able to sun yourself on the crags whenever you want to, send us an email for details or to book. Want to get more serious? Enquire about our Technical Climbing Clinic, it’s a focused program to get you to improve your climbing dramatically.

Don’t forget your co-workers, if they’re getting cranky from being cooped up, book a day of adventure to get that office morale up! Email us for details on our Teambuilding.

Check out our Gauteng School of Mountaineering and Adventure training for info on professional courses for guides, advanced climbing courses and the rope skills courses for adventure racers, First Aid courses Check out the most recent adventure pics, you’re welcome to tag yourself or your friends, just follow the link from the front page of our website

Anyway if you want to join us for an adventure...

How to book:

WHEN- We work 365 days a year, 366 on leap years so please ask us if your specific date is available!

HOW – by email, all bookings are done via email info (at) govertical.co.za

WHO – Anyone, most adventures don’t require previous experience

Do the dates below suit you? If not, just request the dates that do, we’ll try to make a plan!

MAGALIESBERG ADVENTURES http://www.govertical.co.za/

ABSEILING

Abseiling is the best - maximum thrill for minimum effort. No strength or real fitness needed, just a desire for vertical adventure! We'll give you the knowledge, instruction and gear to thoroughly enjoy abseiling all you need to bring is your confidence! Half day adventure near Magaliesburg.

11, 25 June 3, 30 July

BASIC ROCK CLIMBING COURSE

Join us in the Magaliesberg and discover your natural talent for climbing. This course is great for beginners and those whose skills have rusted! After teaching you the safety and the rope skills needed to enjoy this challenging sport, you will spend as much time as you like developing your rock climbing ability on the Magaliesberg cliffs. Full day adventure.

18, 26 June 9,16, 24, 31 July

SPORT CLIMBING COURSE

This is step 2 after the introductory course, a half day at the sport crags to get you climbing and leading with your partner on bolted routes. Short walk in, lots of climbs and more info on gear. Available to anyone who's done our Beginners rock climbing course.

5, 26 June, 10, 17 July

HIKE AND ABSEIL

A scenic hike to the top of the huge Magaliesberg cliffs, exploring the Escarpment with great views over the valley and beautiful wind sculpted rock formations, soaring vultures and elusive black eagles. Over the edge for Vertical adventure and abseil into the gorge after finding a shady spot you’ve got time to rest and have a bit of lunch before heading back in the afternoon. A full day of Adventure, no experience necessary!

19 June 2, 17 July

HIKE, CLIMB AND ABSEIL

A short hike brings you the adventure site, a gorge with great views of the Magaliesberg. Get your adrenalin fix climbing up the cliffs before going back over the edge on an abseil, great opportunity to experience Rock climbing and Abseiling, full day adventure no experience is necessary.

12, 16 June 3, 23 July

RIVER RAFTING WITH ABSEIL

Start off your adventure with an awesome abseil overlooking the Crocodile river, then gear up and head for the river. Paddle down the Crocodile River in 2 man inflatable raft towards Hartebeespoort Dam, the rapids are grade 1 and 2 and suitable for anyone. No experience necessary, all gear provided, you don't even need to know how to swim.

4, 19 June 10, 24 July

KLOOFING

An awesome adventure in a river gorge in the Magaliesberg! Starting with a sunny hike up the Magalies, we enter the waterway through forest and continue upstream in the cool gorge. After lunch the vertical adventures abound, clambering over boulders, wading through pools, smooth rock bum slide, an abseil down a waterfall and a great plunge pool, this is an adrenalin filled adventure for the fit and adventurous!

Sadly the guides just refuse to break the ice to swim through the gorge in winter, you’ll have to wait for October….

DRAKENSBERG ADVENTURES AVAILABLE ALL YEAR ROUND, ENQUIRE FOR DATES

AMPHITHEATRE TREK (3 days)

Hiking, camping, climbing and abseiling in the Northern Drakensberg, a great way to explore the magnificent Amphitheatre, we're going in January and you are welcome to join us, it's a great way to start the year! To make the most of this scenic trip it's great to be an active and fit person who enjoys a bit of wilderness camping. Curious? I'll send you details, some pics of the area the mountaineering page on our website

SENTINEL PEAK CLIMB

An early start for this day climb of the Sentinel peak 3065m. It is a technical climb of the highest freestanding peak in the Northern Drakensberg. The climb is great, not too difficult, we do recommend our Introductory Climbing course to get you into the swing of things. fit and comfortable with heights will enjoy it. We provide all the adventure gear . The views are awesome and reaching the summit is fantastic! Email us for details.

23 July

NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG TRAVERSE

Rated as one of the top Treks in the world, join GoVertical as we trek from The Amphitheatre to Cathedral peak over 6 days, hard work, but the views and spectacular beauty of the isolated wilderness leave you with memories you’ll never forget. Wilderness camping with the last night in a mountain lodge, guided by GoVertical email us for details

17 – 23 August

THABANA NTLENYANA

An overnight trek to the highest peak in the Drakensberg, 3482m, beautiful views, crisp air a great to go up Sani Pass. Email us for details

DRAKENSBERG DAY HIKES

Explore the Amphitheatre on the first day and the stunning Worlds View on the second, accommodation in a local mountain lodge, no heavy bags!

AFRICAN EXPEDITIONS

KILIMANJARO - Machame Route - A rewarding route exploring the West of Kibo, passing Shira and then round the South to summit via Stella Point . If you want to join us, now's the time to book and now's the time to start your training! This is a beautiful scenic route, don't miss out!

MT KENYA – Chogoria route & North Face Standard Route – Sheer rock, awesome exposure, high altitude tarns, equatorial glaciers and unbelievable scenery. A great combination of high altitude trekking and rock climbing.

July - or any date you have in mind.

PROFESSIONAL ADVENTURE GUIDE COURSES

ABSEIL SUPERVISOR

TOP ROPE SUPERVISOR

SINGLE PITCH ROCK CLIMBING

BASIC MOUNTAIN WALKING LEADER

Hope to see you in the mountains soon!

From Kloofing to Climbing - May 2011

2011-05-02T08:31:00.001+02:00

As cool fresh winds bring a promise of clear winter skies and the morning chill starts to bite, our Kloofing season comes to an end. With cool temperatures and little rain making the gorge cold and dry, we put the adventure on hold from the end of May till the first good spring rains in October. So if you would like to get a Kloofing adventure in before the end of May, book now!

What do we do in winter…? CLIMB, yip it’s the best time of year for getting to grips with rock. For those of you who don’t know, we do an Introductory Climbing Course for which you need absolutely no prior experience or knowledge, it’s great, you’ll spend the day out on the rocks, we’ll show you ‘the ropes’ and you can discover it’s not so difficult! After the Intro course, join us for the Sport Climbing course, it builds on the knowledge of our Intro course and gives you the technical skills to start tackling routes on your own – best kept secret about this course… the crags face the sun so it’s nice and toasty in winter! You can book our courses any time, but we’re offering a Friday afternoon slot for the Sport Climbing course, so bunk off work for a few hours and start your weekend Climbing.

After that, well, we can offer you more advanced Trad Climbing courses, our ever popular Sentinel Peak Climb in the Drakensberg or if you want to get serious about climbing, join us on our Adventure Weekend, it’s an intensive two days of climbing and abseiling, where we concentrate on furthering your technical climbing and Abseiling skills, expose you to multi-pitch Sport routes and encourage you to climb higher grades.

Want to get more serious? Enquire about our Technical Climbing Clinic, it’s a focused program to get you to improve your climbing dramatically.

Our Gauteng School of Mountaineering and Adventure training is in full swing, we’ve held our first professional courses for upcoming guides, but have also received an overwhelming interest in our recreational advanced climbing courses and the rope skills courses for adventure racers. Oh, don’t forget we can do your First Aid courses as well. Do keep us in mind if you want comprehensive training in Abseiling, climbing and Mountain walking, rope skills or first aid.

Check out the most recent adventure pics, you’re welcome to tag yourself or your friends, just follow the link from the front page of our website

Anyway if you want to join us for an adventure...

How to book:

WHEN- We work 365 days a year, 366 on leap years so please ask us if your specific date is available!

HOW – by email, all bookings are done via email info@govertical.co.za

WHO – Anyone, most adventures don’t require previous experience

The dates below, can change, they get booked up and so ask us to make sure!

MAGALIESBERG ADVENTURES www.govertical.co.za

ABSEILING

14,22 May, 4 June 3 July

BASIC ROCK CLIMBING COURSE

15, 21, 29 May 11, 18 June

SPORT CLIMBING COURSE

20, 27 May, 5 June, 1 July

HIKE AND ABSEIL

21, 28 May 2 July

HIKE, CLIMB AND ABSEIL

8, 29 MAY

RIVER RAFTING WITH ABSEIL

21 May 12, 16 June

KLOOFING

29 May. Season closes during winter until October 2011

DRAKENSBERG ADVENTURES AVAILABLE ALL YEAR ROUND, ENQUIRE FOR DATES

AMPHITHEATRE TREK (3 days)

SENTINEL PEAK CLIMB

THABANA NTLENYANA

An overnight trek to the highest peak in the Drakensberg, 3482m, beautiful views, crisp air a great to go up Sani Pass. Email us for details

DRAKENSBERG DAY HIKES

Explore the Amphitheatre on the first day and the stunning Worlds View on the second, accommodation in a local mountain lodge, no heavy bags!

AFRICAN EXPEDITIONS

10 – 18 July or any date you have in mind.

Info evening Tues 5th of April

July - or any date you have in mind.

PROFESSIONAL ADVENTURE GUIDE COURSES

ABSEIL SUPERVISOR

TOP ROPE SUPERVISOR

SINGLE PITCH ROCK CLIMBING

BASIC MOUNTAIN WALKING LEADER

Hope to see you in the mountains soon

An Adventurous start for the new year - January 2011

2011-01-02T09:33:00.001+02:00

GoVertical is delighted to welcome the New Year, 2011 promises to be full of adventure, exploration and magical mountains! We want you to enjoy it with us. In the moments between adventures during the “Holidays”, we did a bit of “work” , the office kind at least, So, we’ve got a new look website – check it out on http://www.blogger.com/www.govertical.co.za%20%20 our New Gauteng School of Mountaineering and Adventure Training is up and running with the first professional courses being held on the 10^th of January AND the photo gallery has finally been done, to check out the photos, follow the link on the first page

With all this rain we have a Crocodile River that’s pretty wild, very cool if you want to enjoy the rapids and the gorge for Kloofing has had waterfalls pouring over just about every ledge, it’s amazing. Don’t forget about Rock climbing and Abseiling, got quite a few of those coming up and hey, those of you who need to work off the Christmas dinner and have done the Basic Rock course, book your Sport Course!!

We are thrilled, we’ve got loads of trips to the Drakensberg lined up, there’s a really cool overnight Trek to Thabana Ntlenyana (The highest peak in the Drakensberg) which includes the 4x4 trip up Sani Pass AND a stop at Sani Top Chalet for a drink at South Africa’s highest pub, on the way down, it’s in a week or so time 19^th/ 20^th Jan, book quickly!!!

KILIMANJARO! Yip end of July it is, are you fit, are you keen have you booked yet? We can’t wait to get back up to the Summit of Africa, please join us, it’s a blast! July’s trip is on the Machame Route, you just can’t beat it, well unless you want to climb Mt Kenya, check out that new page. Of course if you have another date in mind, we’ll take you then, there may be one in September too.

If you’re keen on Adventure Guiding, want more info or want to work for GoVertical or in the industry, check out the new guiding page on GoVertical’s website or email us for more info.

Anyway if you want to join us for an adventure...

How to book:

We work 365 days a year, 366 on leap years so if there are 2 of you book any adventure for any date!
OR
By yourself? Don't stress join one of the scheduled adventures below.

AND

We probably haven't made a mistake with the dates, we do run more than one adventure on a day, so if you have a date & adventure in mind just ask.

MAGALIESBERG ADVENTURES
ABSEILING
Abseiling is the best - maximum thrill for minimum effort. No strength or real fitness needed, just a desire for vertical adventure! We'll give you the knowledge, instruction and gear to thoroughly enjoy abseiling all you need to bring is your confidence! Half day adventure near Magaliesburg.

7, 22 January 6 February

BASIC ROCK CLIMBING COURSE
Join us in the Magaliesberg and discover your natural talent for climbing. This course is great for beginners and those whose skills have rusted! After teaching you the safety and the rope skills needed to enjoy this challenging sport, you will spend as much time as you like developing your rock climbing ability on the Magaliesberg cliffs. Full day adventure.

29 January 6, 27 February

SPORT CLIMBING COURSE
This is step 2 after the introductory course, a half day at the sport crags to get you climbing and leading with your partner on bolted routes. Short walk in, lots of climbs and more info on gear. Available to anyone who's done our Beginners rock climbing course.

February……

HIKE AND ABSEIL
A scenic hike to the top of the huge Magaliesberg cliffs, exploring the Escarpment with great views over the valley and beautiful wind sculpted rock formations, soaring vultures and elusive black eagles. After a relaxing hikers lunch we go vertical over a free fall abseil and then back through the woodland in the afternoon. A full day of Adventure, no experience necessary!

26 February

RIVER RAFTING WITH ABSEIL
Start off your adventure with an awesome abseil overlooking the Crocodile river, then gear up and head for the river. Paddle down the Crocodile River in 2 man inflatable raft towards Hartebeespoort Dam, the rapids are grade 1 and 2 and suitable for anyone. No experience necessary, all gear provided, you don't even need to know how to swim.

9, 15, 23 January 6,12, 26 February

KLOOFING
An awesome adventure in a river gorge in the Magaliesberg! Starting with a sunny hike up the Magalies, we enter the waterway through forest and continue upstream in the cool gorge. After lunch the vertical adventures abound, clambering over boulders, wading through pools, smooth rock bum slide, an abseil down a waterfall and a great plunge pool, this is an adrenalin filled adventure for the fit and adventurous!

8, 16, 23, 30 January 5, 13, 19, 27 February

DRAKENSBERG ADVENTURES

AMPHITHEATRE TREK (3 days)

Hiking, camping, climbing and abseiling in the Northern Drakensberg, a great way to explore the magnificent Amphitheatre, we're going in January and you are welcome to join us, it's a great way to start the year! To make the most of theis scenic trip it's great to be an active and fit person who enjoys a bit of wilderness camping. Curious? I'll send you details, some pics of the area the mountaineering page on our website

15 – 17 January 8 – 11 February

SENTINEL PEAK CLIMB

5 – 6 March

THABANA NTLENYANA

An overnight trek to the highest peak in the Drakensberg, 3482m, beautiful views, crisp air a great to go up Sani Pass. Email us for details

19 - 20 January

DRAKENSBERG DAY HIKES

Explore the Amphitheatre on the first day and the stunning Worlds View on the second, accommodation in a local mountain lodge, no heavy bags!

AFRICAN EXPEDITIONS

KILIMANJARO - Machame Route - A rewarding route exploring the West of Kibo, passing Shira and then round the South to summit via Stella Point . If you want to join us, now's the time to book and now's the time to start your training! This is a beautiful scenic route, don't miss out!

10 – 18 July or any date you have in mind.

MT KENYA – Chogoria route & North Face Standard Route – Sheer rock, awesome exposure, high altitude tarns, equatorial glaciers and unbelievable scenery. A great combination of high altitude trekking and rock climbing.

July - or any date you have in mind.

PROFESSIONAL ADVENTURE GUIDE COURSES

ABSEIL SUPERVISOR 10 – 14 JANUARY

TOP ROPE SUPERVISOR 17 & 18^TH JANUARY

SINGLE PITCH ROCK CLIMBING 20 & 21 JANUARY

BASIC MOUNTAIN WALKING LEADER 24 – 28 JANUARY

Hope to see you in the mountains soon!