Hole in the Wall Canyon

6/12/12

Party: Steph H, Neil H + 9 others from The Bush Club lead by Adrian.

It’s Dad’s 55th birthday and we decide to spend it canyoning with the Bush Club (our 3rd canyon in 7 days!!!) We left at 6am to reach the trail by 9am and turned right onto a dirt road from Zig Zag Railway where we took the Waratah Ridge Turnoff, although we missed it because there are no road signs.

Grade: 4 (moderate to difficult), 6 short abseils with one 15m, wetsuit needed.

Track Notes:

After a quick introduction to all the group members, we set off on the trail to the middle front of the car park area, where the National Parks had closed off the continuing Fire trail to the actual track start. After about 20-30 minute walk along the trail in the middle of a ridge, we came to a large log in the middle of the road that signalled our exit towards the left, which is North of the Bungleboori. We continued until we came across a large pagoda, where we veered to the right. Once we came across a small section of beach with water (about an hour of walking), we wet-suited up. From there there was a small section of canyon that didn’t have abseils, and we then walked for another 20 minutes until the proper start of the canyon.

All in all, there was 7 abseils- most were quite short but had waterfalls and tricky/awkward starts, with slight overhangs. The most spectacular abseil was 15m long with a free hang on the way down into a deep dark section of canyon. After this, we entered a pitch black section with glow worms and an extremely tight and cold squeeze (remember to veer right at this section). Once we reached the end, we jumped into the river and swam left upstream until the exit. This track led us to the same pagoda but from a different side and we reached the car by 5.30 (could have probably finished hours earlier, but being in a large group slowed us down).

In conclusion, it was a great day with good abseils, with the canyon being extremely dark and narrow with the most beautiful canyon formations and cliffs! It is called Hole in the Wall canyon because it was discovered from the bottom up (the part where we jumped into the Bungeboori), where those who found it literally saw a hole in the wall of the cliff.

Going into the start of the canyon

A short swim

15m Abseil

Steph in a short swim

15m abseil

Steph

Jump-in at the end of the canyon

Walk out of the canyon to the exit

Wollangambe One Canyon

2/12/12

Party: Steph H, Neil H, Luke S, Richard C.

After a long night of 21st parties, I managed to get up in time to do another canyoning trip. This one is an easy beginner canyon, which is much wider than Du Faur’s canyon with more and much longer swims that is by far the most popular and accessible canyon in the Blue Mountains. There was also a fair amount of bouldering and rock scrambles.

Grade: 1 (easy), no abseils, wetsuits needed.

Track Notes:

We started the day to the right of Mount Wilson’s Fire Station at 9am and walked until we reached the entrance. About 1/4 of the way down we came across a commercial group of 15 people and decided it would be best to go down ahead of them as quickly as possible. After finding the right way down, we descended into the gulley that would reach the canyon. As this was Luke’s first trip, he was quite impressed and excited with just walking and climbing down the gulley haha. After reaching it we found 3 other people already there putting their wetsuits on.

After getting ours on and blowing up our lilo’s, we jumped in the water ahead of the commercial group and so began our trip. I was amazed by the grandness of the canyon and how long, wide and deep it was and a bit further down we found a good spot to jump off the cliff walls into the water which was so fun.

We had lunch about midday and found the exit about 2.30pm where we took off our wetsuits and started climbing back. There was a small section of exposed rock with a difficult climb up that was a little dangerous but very fun. After being in the cool refreshing water all day, the walk back was extremely hot and humid which slowed me down a lot.

We got back to the car at 3.30 and drove around Mt Wilson to have a look around and also see the Cathedral Reserve Camp site that we’ll most likely be staying at in the near future.

It was a GREAT day with great company!

Start of the canyon

Steph, Luke & Richard

Dad jumping off the rock

Richard liloing

Steph & Luke before a swim

Steph, Luke & Richard

Lunch rock

Du Faur's Canyon

30/11/12

Party: Steph H, Neil H, Bas, Hester & Duncan.

Exams are over and it’s finally my first canyoning trip of the season! This canyon was quite dark and narrow but with the most amazing formations. Dad organised for me to go with his Bush walking group “Coastal Mountain Walkers” as a visitor.

Grade: 1 (easy), no abseils, wetsuits needed.
Track Notes:

We started to the left of the Mt Wilson’s Fire Station at 9am and followed the fire trail until the track entrance, which was an inconspicuous exit off to the right about 15 minutes down. From there there was a small track, of which towards the end we left. We bush bashed down the rest of the way to the entrance of the canyon where we then put on our wetsuits and jumped into the icy cold water! It was a shock to the system but shortly after the wetsuits kept us warm.

From there we walked and swam down the first stretch of the canyon until we reached the best part with some long swims through the dark canyon. We had lunch about midday, saw plenty of yabbies and plenty of blue tongue lizards on the way, and returned to the car before 4pm.

All in all a fabulous day and great re-introduction to the canyons of the Blue Mountains.

Steph, Neil & Duncan

Neil & Steph in a narrow and deep swim

Who's got who? A little yabbie

Hester, Steph, Neil & Duncan