Maties Climbing’s Jeremy van der Riet has bagged the hardest route in the annual Black Diamond Tradathon – a traditional rock-climbing festival that pits strength and mental fortitude against gravity.
Maties was further represented by Megan Pons at the event, which was held in Monteseel in KZN, attracting 25 top climbers. Together, the duo completed five routes on the day.
Jeremy, who is ranked fourth in South Africa for sport climbing, scaled Leper Messiah (graded 24) to earn his accolade as first in the “Hardest Route” category. However, this is not the toughest route he has done – recently he scaled Double Jeopardy (Grade 30) on the sheer walls of Table Mountain.
“Trad climbing [rock] is the historical form of climbing but has become less popular because of access issues, the cost of equipment and required skills,” says Jeremy, who is the second year of his Master’s Degree in Wildlife Economics and Conservation. “But at Maties we are actively encouraging trad climbing and have invested in equipment and will be running skills workshops.”
In 2026 the Tradathon is set to take place in Montagu, and the club hopes to field a larger, skilled, and better equipped team for the event.
“I am a fourth-generation climber and have been climbing since I was three years old. Now, though I focus on sport climbing.”
Sport climbing evolved from traditional climbing and moved indoors to artificial faces up to 15 meters high, featuring bolted hand, finger, toe, and foot holds marking specific routes. It became an Olympic Sport in 2020 and involves three disciplines: bouldering, lead, and speed.
“Competitive climbing is very popular because it doesn’t require factoring in the elements; getting to a wall is as easy as going to a gym; and it lends itself to being an exciting show for spectators and sponsors, and live coverage. It is also simpler to score and collect data.
“Trad climbing does involve hiking with heavy equipment, but it is more ‘personal’. It takes you into the mountains where few go, it immerses you in nature, and being really rock, the challenges are more variable.
“Climbing is a great sport for all types, provided you are flexible, have no fear of heights, and are prepared to develop strength – even in your toes and fingers. What you put in, you get out. The biggest measure – and pleasure – is if you can overcome your own limits. And doing yoga helps!” says Jeremy.
Maties Climbing has a fully equipped indoor climbing gym at Coetzenburg that is geared for bouldering, and with newly acquired equipment, rock climbing outings are also now available to members.
