DESCRIPTION

Soaring and thermal. 350km north of Cape Town, the Van Rhyn's Pass scribes a line up the plateau that forms the gateway to the Karoo semi-desert wilderness. Soarable in winter, and extremely thermal in summer, this is a site remarkable for its desolate beauty, and the remote charm of the little village of Nieuwoudtville behind. There is typically an inversion layer 350m above takeoff, although if you break through this, there is fantastic XC potential heading east across the plateau towards Calvinia.

ACTIVITIES

- paragliding
- soaring
- thermals

weather

�Good ground-handling in thermal conditions on launch is essential, as there are some nasty big rocks, and the launch site is restricted. �Heavy thermal activity in summer.

access

Take the N7 past Clanwilham, to Vanrhynsdorp, where you must turn off and follow the signs to Calvinia. After 50km you climb up the Van Rhyn's Pass. Don't park on the pass - drive around to the viewsite on top.