A historical overview of the table mountain as an icon for recreation in South Africa

Abstract

Table Mountain with its distinctive shape, is without doubt one of the best known mountains in the world. Since the 15th century sailors experienced great happiness and relief when first seeing its imposing mass. The first European to climb this mountain was Antonio de Saldanha in 1503. Although his reason was to determine the position of his fleet, thousands upon thousands of climbers have followed his example since then and for various other reasons: In 1797 Joshua Penny hid on the mountain for 14 months after deserting the British navy, some climbed the mountain for astrological reasons, some to collect species of rock or indigenous plants, while the majority did it for the challenge its majestic aura creates, in other words for recreation. Accidents, some fatal, led to the foundation of the Mountain Club of South Africa in 1891. This club subsequently became the cradle of mountaineering in South Africa. In 1894 only four or five routes were known, all of them easy walks. Within 10 years there were 50 and today there are up to a 1000 routes, of which well over 90% are rock-climbing routes. Table Mountain is not only famous for walking and rock-climbing, but also for caving and hang-gliding, making it one of the most dangerous playgrounds in an urban setting. Mountain Rescue, an institution that celebrated its jubilee in 2000, receives up to 100 calls per annum.


Key words: Table Mountain, mountaineering, recreation, history.


(Af. J. Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2002 8(1): 94-105)