![]() ![]() This route is one of the first routes up the Left Face and therefore takes the name from its location on the mountain. Left Face ‘B’: Platteklip Gorge, a deep gash up the front of Table Mountain, divides the face of the mountain into two sections: the Left Face and the Right Face. Origin unknown, but one can only assume that a human skeleton was found in the ravine sometime after the 1850s, when routes names for routes other than Platteklip Gorge became popular. Skeleton Gorge: The most popular hiking route up the east side of Table Mountain. Nursery Ravine: named after a 1880s tree nursery on the mountain above the ravine. ![]() Not used as a route anymore, after a rockslide in the 1950s left the ravine bed dangerously unstable. Actually derived from Slang (Snake) Gully, pronounced by Welshmen in the late 1800s as Slang Goolie, and eventually stuck as Slangolie. Slangolie Ravine: Afrikaans word that translates to Snake Oil Ravine, but not the intended meaning. Of Dutch origin, translates to Castle’s Portal, a broad, open ravine that offers easy access up the Twelve Apostles, formerly known by the Dutch settlers as the Kasteelberge – Castle Mountains. Kasteelspoort: The most popular hiking route on the Twelve Apostles, up the west side of Table Mountain. ‘Venster’ is Afrikaans and Dutch for ‘window’, and refers to a gap along the route formed by a chockstone that resembles a window. India Venster: The route crosses India Ravine (shaped like the country India). Named after an embedded slab of granite low down in the gorge. Formerly Platklip Gorge, of Dutch origin, translates to Flat Rock Gorge. Platteklip Gorge: The most popular hiking route on Table Mountain. Let’s look at how some of the hiking and climbing routes on Table Mountain got to be named: The name of the first route on a buttress – usually up its center, as was the way in the early days of mountaineering – would typically be appended with ‘Frontal’: some of the more well-known ones include Slangolie Frontal, Barrier Frontal and Corridor Frontal. In the 1910s, when Table Mountain’s most prominent buttresses became the focal point of climbing activity, route names simply took the name of the buttress examples include Fountain Buttress, Jubilee Buttress, Fernwood Buttress, etc. An example of the latter is Pimple Ridge, an old climbing route on the Twelve Apostles that tops out on a prominent little peak named Pimple Peak – which happens to be one of the most beautiful places on Table Mountain.Įarly route names were matter-of-fact, stating the name of the buttress on which the route was opened, followed by the dominant feature of the climb (sometimes random) so you get Grootkop Wall, Fernwood Gully, Platteklip Face, Africa Nose, India Waterfall, Ascension Ravine, Cairn Ridge, Fountain Crack, Blinkwater Cleft, Porcupine Arete, Spring Needle, Barrier Edge, Corridor Rib, Kleinkop Recess, etc. An example of the former is Desperation Corner, a climbing route opened in 1938: the name evokes images of anxious cragsmen battling up forbidding cliffs. They almost look like tire tracks in the rocks.At its best, a route name hints at the nature of the route, or encapsulates the story of its opening ascent, or makes reference to a prominent feature found along the way at its worst, it describes the route’s principal physical feature in unflattering or prosaic terms. If you look closely in the rock along the trail you will see the fossilized remains of plants such as Cordaites, Lepidodendron, and Calamites. While this may seem far-fetched the proof lies in the rocks right here on the Ferncliff Trail here in Ohiopyle. Tropical Ohiopyle?Ĭan you imagine when Pennsylvania weather was consistently warm, let alone tropical? 300 million years ago Pennsylvania was a tropical swamp filled with huge ferns that grew more than 80 feet tall. Designated a National Natural Landmark, the peninsula is home to ancient ferns and trees as well as interesting fossils from when the peninsula was home to tropical plants and animals. The first of which is because of its current natural beauty. The Ferncliff Peninsula has always been one of my favorite spots in Ohiopyle - for a variety of reasons. Since the day was a little on the cooler side and I didn’t have a lot of time I decided to take a short hike. There are so many things to do in this time town, whether it is white water rafting, biking, hiking, or camping that it can be hard to choose. Speaking of natural beauty, one of my favorite places to enjoy nature is at Ohiopyle. ![]() While I usually focus on the variety of attractions available in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties, Fayette County also has a huge variety of attractions, many of which highlight the area’s natural beauty. Recently, I was lucky enough to have a day off of work so I decided to take an adventure over to nearby Fayette County. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |