Welcome
The Cape Province Mountain Club is a small mountain club with a rich tradition of serving the people of Cape Town. The club welcomes anyone who believes that they can assist us in making mountaineering, hiking and associated activities accessible to all members of our society.
About Us
History
Hikes and activities
CPMC membership
Cape Province Mountain Club was established on 16 December 1931 by Carl Fisher, C “Binder” Petersen, Bill Steyn and Cecil Townsend. Some of these members have features of Table Mountain named after them, e.g. Binders Rest, Townsend Cave, Other members who made-up the first executive members were Carl Fisher (Climbing Leader), Mr C Peterse
Cape Province Mountain Club was established on 16 December 1931 by Carl Fisher, C “Binder” Petersen, Bill Steyn and Cecil Townsend. Some of these members have features of Table Mountain named after them, e.g. Binders Rest, Townsend Cave, Other members who made-up the first executive members were Carl Fisher (Climbing Leader), Mr C Petersen (Chairman), Mrs K Petersen, Henry Flowers and J Kannemeyer. Binder's Rest, near the start of the Kasteel’s Poort path is named after Mr Petersen who was a book-binder by trade while Townsend cave is named after Cecil Townsend who for some part of his life lived as a hermit on the back table of Table Mountain. Their main reason for forming the club was firstly their love for the outdoors, having work for the council and being vibrantly involved in mountain rescue activities.
Not much evidence of the previous history of the club is available but after the Second World War substantial evidence is available to prove that CPMC has been very active in the mountains of the Western Cape and other parts of the country. The first expedition was undertaken by three members N Galliet, A George and J Thomas who ventured to Mount Kilimanjaro in 1951 driving to Tanzania in a Morris Minor of which the engine gave up en-route. Since then the activities of the club increased steadily in the Western Cape and other regions.
The bulk of the club membership was drawn from the working classes and funding for longer, foreign expeditions was not available to members during those early years. It was only from the mid-seventies that younger members became mobile and affluent enough to venture on climbing holidays to England, Scotland, Europe and the Americas.
The club was also heavily involved in search and rescue efforts in the 1950's. In 1951 the Club was donated a rescue stretcher and established its own search and rescue team. This stretcher now forms part of the artefacts exhibited in the Water Works Museum on Table Mountain. During the fifties the tradition of providing a service to the community was established. There are many records of mountain activities organised specifically for school, church and youth groups.
An emphasis was placed on providing opportunities and outdoor experiences for the underprivileged. This tradition was carried on through the sixties, seventies and is still high on the current agenda of the club, through our outreach programmes.
Many schools, community and youth based organizations interact with the activities of the club or are simply users of the club’s hut on Table Mountain facilitated by our members. Many young people (and older folk) experience their first mountaineering encounter with CPMC.
It remains the goals of CPMC to encourage positive lifestyles through enjoying and preserving our natural heritage, the mountains. It is our mission to share this kind of lifestyle with others who could be persuaded from engaging in negative social behaviour which impacts negatively on society.
CPMC continues to maintain an active membership base who are able to work with all interested parties to promote environmental awareness and education.
CPMC membership
Hikes and activities
CPMC membership
The Cape Province Mountain Club embraces diversity of race, religion, sexual orientation as well as economic and social standing.
We welcome all members of the public to join the club. Membership is not limited to Capetonians or South Africans, everyone is welcome.
Membership brings with it the following benefits: reduced rates at the hut,
The Cape Province Mountain Club embraces diversity of race, religion, sexual orientation as well as economic and social standing.
We welcome all members of the public to join the club. Membership is not limited to Capetonians or South Africans, everyone is welcome.
Membership brings with it the following benefits: reduced rates at the hut, club hikes at no cost and access to unique experiences.
We have a probationary period of a minimum of two months and maximum of six months during which we require new members to join club hikes, work meets and general meetings.
You will find the membership application form in the forms section. The club remains a small group with the aim of getting to know each other through hikes and other events.
Hikes and activities
Hikes and activities
Hut on Table Mountain
The club has monthly hikes that vary in difficulty. We also plan overnight hikes to our hut frequently.
Should you wish to join us on a hike or other activity please email the club to request details
Hut on Table Mountain
Table Mountain Hiking Challenge
Hut on Table Mountain
The Club has always had a hut on Table Mountain and this has provided a focal point for active members. The hut was built during the construction of the Woodhead Dam on the Back Table at end of the 19th century. The late City Councillor Dr Abduraman was instrumental in acquiring a lease from the City Council.
The building was originally d
The Club has always had a hut on Table Mountain and this has provided a focal point for active members. The hut was built during the construction of the Woodhead Dam on the Back Table at end of the 19th century. The late City Councillor Dr Abduraman was instrumental in acquiring a lease from the City Council.
The building was originally divided into two sections and CPMC shared it with the labourers of the City Council Waterworks Department until their new quarters were built in the late 1960's. The hut stands on the open plateau at the top of Kasteel’s Poort and is continually exposed to harsh weather conditions.
By the early seventies the wood and iron used for the construction had all but rotted away and was in need of urgent replacement. The Club decided to rebuild the wood and iron sections with brick and mortar and reconstruction started during the Easter Weekend of 1975. For the rest of that year a loyal and dedicated group of members spent almost every weekend rebuilding the hut. The new hut was officially opened on the Club's 44th anniversary on 16 December 1975.
After the major effort to rebuild the hut the members decided to take a well deserved climbing break. That break stretched for almost nine years before the renovations were completed and a new roof was added to the hut. Ten days later during the night of 15-16 May 1984 a tremendous storm hit Cape Town. The new roof was completely torn from the building and a good portion of the upper walls were destroyed too. It was a catastrophic disaster and the situation was worse than before renovations had begun. Accommodation was reduced to a very small lean-to kitchen which, at a very tight squeeze, could accommodate six people. The Club immediately embarked on a major fund raising drive to raise the funds to restore and re-roof the building. The reconstruction and re-roofing was started within a year and completed in an intense six week period.
After the pandemic the club decided to embark on a refurbishing project for the hut. The hut now provides bunks, benches, tables and a homely atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Table Mountain Hiking Challenge
Table Mountain Hiking Challenge
Table Mountain Hiking Challenge
This annual event was started in 2011. The setting is the iconic Table Mountain. The event is a mountain challenge over 18km. In the past the event featured teams of 2 youth who attempted to finish the course as well as tasks.
Our partners, primarily the Rotary Club of Kirstenbosch, have enabled us to expose many youth to the love of natur
This annual event was started in 2011. The setting is the iconic Table Mountain. The event is a mountain challenge over 18km. In the past the event featured teams of 2 youth who attempted to finish the course as well as tasks.
Our partners, primarily the Rotary Club of Kirstenbosch, have enabled us to expose many youth to the love of nature and the beauty of Cape Town.
The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. In 2022 we hosted a successful event with almost 80 participants and 50 marshals, emergency services and officials on duty.
The involvement of schools, clubs, SANParks, sponsors, City of Cape Town, the community is vital to the success of the event.
ROTARY table mountain hiking challenge
Objectives of the challenge
Objectives of the challenge
Objectives of the challenge
The event is a unique opportunity for members of the community to experience Table Mountain while contributing to youth development and conservation.
The objectives of the event are the following:
• Create safety awareness
• Promote environmental awareness • Promote the mountain and hiking
• Promote the Club’s role in the community
• Bring hikers from different backgrounds together
The route
Objectives of the challenge
Objectives of the challenge
The route provides a challenge to participants:
Starting at the base of Table Mountain near Kloof Corner the route takes the pipe track to Platteklip Gorge. The climb up Platteklip Gorge presents participants with a good test of fitness. At the top the route takes participants through the ravines to the dams. A brief stop at the CPMC hut provides participants with a welcome rest and some refreshment. From the hut participants descend via Kasteelspoort before heading to the finish along the pipe track. The route finishes where it starts at the base of the mountain.
Important dates
Objectives of the challenge
Important dates
Event: The 2026 TMHC Event will be held in September 2026.
We are excited to be hosting the event again and look forward to a busy day on the mountain.
Please email rotarytmhc@gmail.com for queries!
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Competitors
Competitors
Important dates
The challenge is aimed at the youth. We are excited to be partnering with schools this year.
The schools all have a Rotary Interact Program running and will represent schools and communities from across Cape Town.
This year we are excited that there will be a prize for the winning school and team. The race rules have been revised and we are excited that this will be welcomed by all involved.
Marshals
Competitors
Marshals
The challenge provides hikers and mountaineers an opportunity to give back to the community by being a marshal. Being a marshal allows you to provide support to competitors and encourage safety and etiquette on the mountain.
Sponsors
Competitors
Marshals
We have partnered with the Rotary Club of Kirstenbosch, SanParks, Eco-Logic Environmental Services and the City of Cape Town to present the challenge. We thank them for their contribution and involvement in making this a safe and successful event.
This is a community event and we appreciate any further sponsorship/partnerships. Should you be interested in partnering with us please contact us.
Our Partners
