*words and photography by Philipp Wortmann, shot on Nikon FM2n with Kodak Portra 400 film
Rocklands. If you’re into climbing you will likely have heard of this magical place. If not, think of it like this: What Yosemite is for big wall climbing, what Japan is for powder snowboarding, what Las Vegas is for gambling, Rocklands is for bouldering.
Though a passionate sport climber myself, I'll admit I'm not a very talented boulderer, prefering a rope over a crash pad to catch my falls most days. But when I had the chance to live in Cape Town, South Africa last year it was clear that I had to get my hands on some of this legendary sandstone.
Still back home in Germany, as I packed my climbing shoes, I was already picturing myself hanging from tiny crimps, topping out picturesque boulders, and ticking off classic climbs in the guidebook—a vast overestimation of my skill and strength that would soon be corrected.
It’s a common understanding that anytime between October and May is a definite “no” for Rocklands. During this time the area goes into full on desert mode—scorpions and spiders included—and temperatures can get pretty heavy. But if you’re not planning to project “The Finnish Line,” and are willing to get up early and look for lines in the shadows, it can definitely still be worth a shot in December.