AbstractExtensive Pleistocene debris deposits occur in the Western Cape Mountains, South Africa. Although a cryogenic origin for the clasts is generally accepted, there is still discussion about the conditions under which debris transport and deposition took place. In the Waaihoek Mountains solifluction features occur at 1800m a.s.l. Present‐day periglacial activity results from surficial soil frost action and snowfalls in the cold season. To assess the significance of freeze‐thaw action on soil movement rates, continuous and periodic measurements are being made of climatic parameters and soil movement at several experimental sites, including a snowpatch site, at 1850m a.s.l. in the Waaihoek Mounta