Slingsby Cederberg The Book

‘Cederberg—the book’ is the first ever comprehensive account of these extraordinary mountains. It’s Peter Slingsby’s personal seventy year encounter with the people, the politics, the fauna and flora, the cartography and the haunting rock art of the San—the essence of the Cederberg, its wonderful rocks and skies and the tang of the elusive cedar trees.

These 256 pages are beautifully illustrated with brilliant photos by Geoff Spiby and more than forty other contributors, and with a very special foreword by author Don Pinnock. The contents include the myths and the true stories of the mountains, the history of the people and the cedars and the efforts to save these iconic trees, the animals and plants embedded in the names of kloofs and rivers and lonely vlaktes. Here are descriptions of favourite walks, hikes and drives; rock climbing in its many forms; and many pages devoted to the rock art, its roots and our understanding of its creators and our own human past.

‘This is without doubt one of the best books ever written about the Cederberg… it’s a personal, passionate reckoning with a place that has defined much of the author’s life.’ —Don Pinnock

Foreword by Dr Don Pinnock

For over half a century, Peter Slingsby has mapped not just the Cederberg’s ridges and rivers, but its history, stories and spirit. His maps—and now this book—capture the layers of ecology, culture and memory that define the mountains. Combining personal essays, trail notes, rock art, interviews and superb photography, it is both a guide and a love letter to the Cederberg. This volume celebrates a lifetime of exploration by South Africa’s legendary mapmaker and storyteller.

Preface

After nearly 70 years of exploring the Cederberg, Peter Slingsby finally set down his memories, stories and research while unexpectedly bedridden. Drawing on decades as a cartographer, he weaves together history, place names, photographs and personal insights to create a book for both seasoned hikers and newcomers.