Justin Lawson
I’ve been climbing for more than 36 years. I was formally introduced to rock climbing by a friend from Scouts when I was 11, but my mom will tell you I had already started climbing by the time I was three year old.
After high school, while I was studying Information Technology, I worked as a climbing guide and instructor and as river guide. In 1996, I qualified as a SARA Level 1 river guide and in 1997, I completed my Level 3 First Aid Certification. A couple of years later, in 1999, I became one of the first people in South Africa to qualify as a Single Pitch Supervisor and things continued from there.
I've climbed across much of the globe including the USA & Europe. In Africa, I've summited Mount Kenya & Spitzkoppe, put up new routes in Malawi & Angola. I serve on the Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) Rock Sub-Committee and am a member of MCSA Cape Town Rescue Team.
I am never happier than when I am out climbing mountains. I love helping other people to explore and enjoy the crazy craggy beauty of the Cape.
Justin Lawson is a registered Adventure Guide (Tourist Guide Registration number: WC 7055). He holds a First Aid Certification and is fully insured to operate as a hiking climbing and abseil guide.
Book your Cape Town climbing adventure with Justin
As a climbing guide/instructor, Justin is also..
- A proud member of the Mountain Club of South Africa since 1997
- A respected gear reviewer for local and international climbing brands
- An occasional a stuntman and rigger for film, TV & print media
- A published climbing photographer
- Experienced in all aspects of climbing: trad, sport, boulder, multi pitch and big walls
- Involved in developing and bolting new routes and the upkeep of existing routes
- Co-founder of ClimbZA (www.climbing.co.za)
- Member of the Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) Rock Sub-Committee
- Member of the Mountain Club of South Africa Search & Rescue Team
- Design / construction of Via Ferratas
Table Mountain Routes that we climb often:
Table Mountain Routes that we climb often:
Weather permitting – we take the cable car up to the top of the mountain and then abseil down to the start of the routes. Should the cable way not be in operation – we have the option to hike up, climb at the lower buttresses or climb on Lions Head.
Jacobs Ladder: Grade 5b (French) / 5.9 (USA)
This is an absolute classic route that is situated high up on Table Mountain with views over the Atlantic and Camps Bay. The route is 4 pitches long with great exposure.
Click here for more details on Jacobs Ladder rock climb Table Mountain
Atlantic Crag: Grade 5c (French) / 5.10a (USA)
Another classic overlooking the city bowl and ocean below. 4 pitches of excellent climbing takes you back up to the Cable Station (after a spicy finish with lots of air below you).
Staircase: Grade 4 (French) / 5.7 (USA)
If you have have never rock climbed before, this is the one for you. 3 pitches long, easy climbing takes you up to the large traverse ledge. After an exposed traverse, another pitch of climbing gets you back to the start.
Double Direct: Grade: 6a+ (French) / 5.10b (USA)
An excellent route that takes the best lines (from Touch & Go and Magnetic Wall) up the Cableway Wall. 2 pitches gets you to below the cable station.
Sport climbing areas that we often visit
Silvermine Lower Crag: The most popular climbing area on the Cape Peninsula with short walk-ins, good rock quality and many excellent routes. Silvermine has five different crags and over 80 routes with grades ranging from 13 to 28. The crags go into the shade in the early afternoon (season dependent). The Lower Silvermine Crag has easy routes and is perfect for beginners, Blaze of Glory is a little harder, Silvermine Main Crag is a good all round crag and Fawlty Towers for some harder stuff. There is also a great dam for cooling off afterwards.
Lakeside Pinnacle: This is a great crag for beginners, with a few challenging routes for others. Crack of Dawn is a splendid crack climb for practicing trad climbing placements (we often run beginner climbing courses here).
Paarl Rock: Unique granite climbing 45 minutes drive from Cape Town and the opportunity to climb multi pitch sport climbing. The most well know route being ‘Sands of Time’ grade grade 5b (French) / 5.9 (USA).
Customised Multi Day Trips (Cederberg)
Upon request we can organise multi day hiking, rock climbing, scrambling trips to the above areas and to the world famous Cederberg mountains. Areas include Wolfberg, Truitjieskraal, Maltese Cross, Tafelberg, Rooiberg and more.