Lines of Least Resistance

by Riaan Vorster

“By the late 1880s, after more than two centuries of European presence at the Cape, only seven routes led up Table Mountain. Thousands had climbed to the summit, the majority via the gash in the face of the mountain known as Platteklip Gorge, yet vast tracts remained unexplored. Only with the advent of mountaineering in the early 1890s did climbers begin a systematic exploration in their quest for new routes.

Lines of Least Resistance tells the story of Table Mountain through its hiking and scrambling routes. Drawing on his intimate knowledge of the mountain, Riaan Vorster pays tribute to the early pioneers by examining their routes, clearing the sands of time from those which have slipped into oblivion. No two routes are alike; each possesses unique qualities that reveal something of the mountain’s character. Written from a personal as well as historical perspective, the book takes the reader on a journey of discovery along the highways and byways of Table Mountain.”

Genres: South Africa

446 pages, Hardcover

Reviews

[Karen Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

António de Saldanha and some of his crew became the first Europeans to climb Table Mountain in 1503. Two centuries later thousands have followed climbing via Platteklip Gorge and seven other routes. This left the remaining area unexplored until the early 1890s when climbers begin a systematic exploration in their quest for new routes. Lines of Least Resistance tells the story of Table Mountain’s 101 hiking and scrambling routes opened prior to 1952, from A to C+ grade.
Drawing on his intimate knowledge as a mountain guide and with extensive research, Vorster follows in the footsteps of early mountaineering pioneers examining their psyche and philosophy. Answering questions as to why some routes became popular and others slipped into oblivion. He provides background into the naming of these routes, such as Stinkwater Ravine, named for the reeking kelp at the start of the stream. The name was amended in 1910 to reflect the stream ‘blink’ – shiny. As for the Twelve Apostles, of which there are 13 to 18 peaks, prior to 1820 they were known as Gevelbergen – Gable Mountains.
Vorster also includes the geology of some routes, fauna, flora and the people who lived and worked on the mountain.
Vorster’s writing is often poetic, humorous and always easy to read. This book is suitable for anyone with a love of mountain matters, from hikers, climbers and trail runners to historians and tour guides.
In the preface Vorster clearly states that the book is not a hiking climbing guide. There are no maps or pictures of these routes which are not always in chronological order.

[Charmaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I read with it my Slingsby map at hand, following the routes on the maps and marvelling at the history and stories about the adventurers that first explored the mountain. Riaan shows his knowledge and love for Table Mountain in this well-researched book. This book is a must read for anyone that is passionate and in awe of Table Mountain, whether you are a hiker, trail runner or a couch-traveler. I highly recommend the book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written vignettes of Table Mountain's 101 officially recognised ascents. Very enjoyable and inspires one to explore with more imagination. I longed for a map, even to show the basic location of each route, and more pictures would have been nice, but the prose if rich and evocative enough for the imagination to fill in the gaps. Hope they release a paperabck version as the hardback was formidably expensive (R600 in 2023)