What route was first climbed on
Table Mountain?
The first recorded ascent of Table Mountain was in 1503. It’s important to note the word “recorded” here. I am sure there were several of the original inhabitants of the Cape who hiked to the top long before any Europeans landed here! So, the first European to climb Table Mountain was in 1503. The adventurous person was Antonia Saldanha. He didn’t climb the mountain out of love for hiking but in order to find out where he was! The commander of a Portugese fleet sailing to India he had become disoriented and taken refuge in an unknown bay in the shelter of a large flat topped mountain. From then on the bay became known as “the Aquade de Saldanha (watering place of De Saldanha) and became a regular stop over for the Portugese fleets sailing to the Indies.
The first recording of a woman taking on the Table Mountain Challenge, was almost 300 years later. In the 1790’s Lady Anne Barnard organised a group of people that included 3 gentlemen and several slaves. This group ascended the mountain and enjoyed a lavish picnic on the top.
Both Antonio De Saldanha and Lady Anne Barnard chose to ascend Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge. This is perhaps one of the most obvious routes up the mountain and really the only walkable route on the city side.