Gavin

Gavin Raubenheimer is a certified Mountaineering Instructor (M.I.A.) endorsed by the Mountain Development Trust of SA. He is a NQF National Mountaineering (level 7), Cultural and Nature Guide (level 4). He is sponsored by First Ascent outdoor clothing company and by RAM Mountaineering, importers of Black Diamond Equipment, Beal Ropes, Cascade Designs, Bibler and E3 gear.

Gavin is a past President of the KwaZulu-Natal Section of the Mountain Club of SA. He has been involved in mountain rescue since 1992 and since 2005 has been the Convener of Mountain Rescue in the province. This involves organising, instructing and leading mountain rescues in the Drakensberg and any other area of the province. Since 2011 he has been the national chairman of the Mountain Development Trust (MDT).

In 2000, he represented South Africa at the BMC International High-Performance meet in Wales and again in 2005 at the MC of S International Ice meet in Scotland.

Since 1978 he has climbed at almost every major venue in southern Africa and many other mountain areas, including the Andes, Canadian Rockies, French and Swiss Alps, the Atlas Mountains, Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya.

Gavin has guided in Peru, Mt Kenya, Mauritius, Uganda, France, Namibia and Switzerland.

To date Gavin has made over 70 first ascents of rock and ice climbs in South Africa, and has been used as an expert witness and investigator in civil cases involving climbing related accidents. He has written guide books and on-line route guides covering his home area of KwaZulu-Natal.

He also has a National Diploma in Horticulture. (Durban 1989)