Sweet Dreams Rockclimb

25/10/2015

Party: Matt, Steph and Tom

Grade: 14 climb, with a 15 section at the top. 180m climb with 5 pitches

Notes:  My rockclimbing best friend convinced me it would be a good idea to try 'Sweet Dreams' as my first multi-pitch rock climb and so on Sunday we headed out to Sublime Point in Leura. Having had little to no experience with outdoor rockclimbing, I was extremely nervous for what lay ahead.

Starting from the carpark we walked along the track for about 5 minutes before veering off to the left and down the hill. It took us about 30 minutes to walk to the crag, of which there were a lot of jump-downs, ropes and a little bit of exposure.

The first pitch was probably my worst when it was meant to be one of the easiest. I had trouble finding the hold towards the top and had to get pulled up by my two friends. I also panicked which made it even more difficult, and I considered abseiling back down and walking out because if I couldn't get past this, I would have no hope for the rest of the rock climb. But in any case, I persevered!

The 3rd pitch was probably the highlight - it was a traverse across the cliff face on a really really easy grade. The rock was easy to maneuver - but looking down was terrifying as at this point we were at about 130m with full exposure, and the 3 sisters in the background.

The final pitch was the most difficult rockclimbing, however I did much better than the first pitch (I must have gotten into the swing of it by then). It was definately a challenge, with it being the hardest grade (15) and also being 150 odd metres up. Looking down was terrifying, but getting over the edge was very satisfying and a HUGE relief!  It took about 3.5 hours in total car to car (slower than normal with 3 people).

3rd pitch - sweet dreams traverse

right before the traverse

3rd pitch

Burning Palms/Figure 8 Rock pools

17/10/2015

Party: Matt & Steph

Grade: Really, really easy

Track notes: It was a lazy saturday afternoon when we decided to drive out to the Royal National Park and do the short hike to the Burning Palms/Figure 8 Rock pools. The walk itself was really really easy. It took us about 45 minutes to an hour to walk down the hill (maybe a 200m decline) down to the beach from Garrawarra carpark.

Walking along the beach and past the headline, there is a lot of rock scrambling and a section that is a bit slippery where the waves crash.

The rockpools themselves were quite beautiful and made for a nice place to have a few beers and watch the whales off in the distance!

The figure 8 rockpool

New canyoning shoes!

For my birthday Dad bought me new canyoning shoes and I am SUPER happy with them. Instead of using cheap Volleys like I have been over the years that fill up with sand and don't provide much support, my Bestard "Canyon Guide Lady" shoes are a much better option.

 They are so good because they:

• Don't get any sand in them as there is a a drawstring at the top that closes off the shoe
• Provide a lot of support for the whole foot
• Make you feel much more sure-footed when walking through the canyon, over mossy rocks or just walking around in general
• Don't hurt your feet!
• You can use them to bushwalk in as well- so you don't need to take 2 pairs of shoes

I highly recommend them for anyone seriously interested in canyoning!

Bestard Homepage

Whirlpool & Geronimo Canyon

21/12/2014

Party: Steph, Neil, Lucy + 4 others led by Simon Hager

Grade: 4 moderate to difficult

Track notes: We met at Mt Wilson fire station at 9am to begin our walk into Whirlpool canyon. The walk in followed the fire trail through to the start of the popular Wollangambe entrance and then all the way down into the canyon. Crossing the river, we climbed back up the other side along the ridge, until we eventually ventured down the left handside of the ridge. Unfortunately due to the 30 degree heat (and a work Christmas party the night before; I never learn?!) I struggled a fair bit.

We eventually came to another creek, presumably a tributary to the Wollangambe, where we then climbed back up to the top of this ridge. Eventually, 2 hours later and after morning tea and lunch, we got to the start of the canyon. It had some lovely abseils (about 5) that weren't too long but had awkward starts. The walk back was quite long and we camped at the Cathedral of the Ferns campsite at Mt Wilson.

On the sunday we headed back out down the same track to do Geronimo and Horseshoe canyons- both of which are quite short and an easy grade. The walk-in today was also much shorter, however I didn't end up doing Horseshoe canyon as Dad and I wanted to get back to the cars by 4, and we had only gotten back to the Wollangambe river for lunch by 2pm.

The second day was much more enjoyable for me (mostly as I wasn't hungover!!) and the walk in wasn't as long.

*** Video to come! ***

Mt Talaterang Bushwalk

20/09/2014

Party: Steph, Luke + 6 others lead by Stephen Brading

Grade: Very easy

Track notes: In order to join the Sydney Bushwalkers club you need to do an overnight qualifying walk (Q walk), so I thought I'd join in on this one as it looked relatively easy and sounded fun to camp in a cave. The track was the Mt Bushwalker Car Park foot track around Mt Bushwalker- Gadara Point- Pallin Pass- Mt Talaterang - Talaterang Creek and return.

After meeting at Mt Bushwalker carpark (approx 45 mins from Nowra) we head off down the track. The start of the track is a very easy coastal-style walk. You generally see a lot of the general public walking along this (for approx 30-40 mins to the cliff line) to get to the lookout. From the lookout we turned left and walked along the left hand side of the cliffline with some spectacular views across the valleys. About half of the day was on a clearly marked track, and the rest of it was off track.  After about 6 hours we eventually found the campsite which is right next to a lovely creek with freshwater, a good spot for a campfire and of course the lookout whith 180 degree views across the Budawangs.

We had happy hour watching the sunset over the mountains with these truly spectacular views of The Castle, Byangee Walls, Pigeon House Mountain and a large waterfall to our right.

Sunset over the Budawangs

Panorama of view from campsite

Surefire Canyon

26/1/2014

Party: Neil, Matt, Keith, Ian & Steph

Grade:  4 moderate to difficult- I would grade a 5 as it is a very very long day

Track notes: Day 3 of Australia Day long weekend and I have left the SBW group to meet up with Matt and my family. Getting to this canyon was very difficult with good navigational skills required. It took us probably 2 hours from the start of the car park to get to the beginning of the canyon, and I wouldn't recommend doing this without an experienced bushwalker. 

This canyon had about 5 abseils, all relatively short but with awkward starts. It is an immensely beautiful canyon however it is short compared to the bushwalking and bush bashing you do during the rest of the day.

After lunch we had to find the exit, of which we knew there would be somewhat a difficult rock climb out (hence why we brought our trusty rockclimber Matt to lead the way out).

In the end it took a very long 4 hours from lunch (after exiting the canyon) back to the car but it was through some of the most beautiful forest I've ever seen. It was again a bit of an orienteering challenge so I recommend going with experienced walkers.

Surefire is up there in my favourite canyons- but the walk in and out make it much less desirable. Only attempt this one if you enjoy bushwalking as much if not more than canyoning.

Starlight Canyon

26/1/2014

Party: Sydney Bushwalking Club led by Terry Moss

Grade:  3, very easy with no swimming involved, headtorch needed

Track notes: It's day 2 of the Australia Day long weekend with SBW and we head off along the very same track we used the day before to get to Devil's Pinch Canyon. Climbing that hill the second time around wasn't as fun as you knew exactly what you were in for. This time we walked much further along the track (and didn't bush bash) as this canyon started on a ridge further than Devil's Pinch.

After some navigational issues we got to the first abseil- in  my opinion it would be very difficult to get to without an experienced navigator. However we did come to an obvious T intersection and veered to the left of the ridge (this is all I can remember).

There were 3 longish abseils in this canyon- with it being very open (unlike other canyons being narrow and dark). The third abseil was down a very slippery and mossy waterfall. 

At the bottom of this canyon there is a beautiful stretch of canyon (more like a cave!) of which you can take off your backback and walk down with a headtorch. I was absolutely terrified of going by myself- it's pitch black and there are lots of tight squeezes and goes for about 10-15 minutes. However it's worth it to see the little glow worms :)

Abseil into the cave section

Cave section

Spot for lunch after the abseils

Abseil down the waterfall

Devils Pinch Canyon

25/1/2014

Party: Sydney Bushwalking Club led by Terry Moss

Grade:  Supposedly a grade 5 but in my opinion a grade 3

Track notes: It's Australia Day long weekend and my first trip with the Sydney Bushwalking Club. I left Sydney at 5am to get to Newnes Camping Ground for an 8.30am start. After setting up my tent for the weekend and getting acquainted with the group we head off. Newnes camping ground is one of my favourites as it has a large grassy area surrounded by beautiful cliff faces and the Wolgan River nearby.

The track starts off to the left of the Wolgan river- it is a clearly defined track that goes along the river for maybe 30 minutes until you reach a signpost for the start of Starlight/Pipeline Canyon. This is the start of a 300m ascent with a very rewarding look out at the top. Unlike most canyons, you do the 'climb out' at the start of the trip instead of the end. 

After morning tea we head off along the clearly defined track along a ridge top for about an hour. We then veer left to go down Devil's Pinch. The first abseil was absolutely stunning- it is like abseiling down a crevice and hence why they called in Devil's Pinch. It was about 20m long. The canyon itself was nice but not the best I have seen, and the fact that the water was insepid made it uncomfortable (due to no rain). 

In the end we inadvertently missed the final abseil by mistakenly going around it- but it was supposed to be a 50m abseil down a long waterfall.

Overall devil's pinch is not my favourite- mostly because of the smelly water and the fact that we missed the last abseil! However at the bottom there is a beautiful narrow passage way- definately the highlight.

Exit back up Wolgan river to camp

Twister (Sheep Dip) & Rocky Creek Canyon

21/12/2013

Party: Matt, Mark & Steph

Grade:  Easy/Beginner- no abseils but wetsuit advisable as lots of swimming

Track notes:
This is a fairly popular canyon with many beginners. It's also great for a hot summers day and for just a bit of fun as there are no abseils so you don't need to worry about bringing a rope and there are lots of jump-in's and swimming involved.

The track starts at the Rocky Creek carpark, where after 100m there is a smaller track to the right. Following this track for about 10 minutes you reach the start point where you put on your wetsuit.

There are about 3 places you need to either climb down or jump- however the 3rd and final one you have to jump and it is about 3m high. There is then a fixed line where you can climb down to the right hand side (so pack a small 10m rope just in case it is gone!)

After this final jump you have reached the end of Twister canyon and there are lots of big boulders to climb down. You reach a T intersection in the mountain, where you turn right to go down Rocky Creek and left to go up back to the car park.

Rocky Creek is also a fun canyon but it is much more beautiful than Twister. Once we reached the end of Rocky creek (where the creek started to dry up) we turned around and came up back up it- then turned right at the T intersection to get back to the cars (about a 20-30 minute walk up a steep hill).

Entering Twister canyon

Twister Canyon

The first jump in Twister Canyon

The last jump in Twister 

On the way to rocky creek

The first jump at Rocky Creek

Rocky Creek Canyon

Rocky Creek Canyon

Rocky Creek Canyon

Rocky Creek Canyon

Rocky Creek Canyon

Rocky Creek Canyon

Rocky Creek Canyon

Rocky Creek Canyon

Rocky Creek Canyon

Rocky Creek Canyon