Claustral Canyon

05/01/13

Party: Steph H, Luke S, Adrian S, Damian, Jeremy & Sivaraman, led by Tim V

Grade: 4 (moderate to difficult), 4 abseils, wetsuit strongly advisable.
Track Notes:

We left Sydney at 7.30am to get to the starting point off Bells Line of Road by 9am. We left the cars past Mt Tomah on an obvious gravel area beside the road on the left hand side, where we then walked back towards the bend in the road behind the roadside barriers to find where the track started. Due to the closure of the usual and quicker route into Claustral, we had to go in this way.

After about 10 minutes we came across a large rock platform with great views of the mountains. Heading left, we found an obvious track that lead us down the gully and to the start of the creek (Turning right down the creek, we end up coming from the left at the end of the day). After a while we came to the first abseil which was an easy, short drop. We then came to the Hole of Calcutta- a series of 3 amazing abseils in quick succession. We brought 3 ropes so we could set this up quickly, as because it’s so dark down there and not much room to stand, this would allow for us to move quickly- particularly as we were a large group. The third abseil was the darkest- where you climb through a hole in the wall and abseil down and swim through the darkness to the light (veer right). 

From here we entered the most beautiful part of the canyon- and I tried to take my time so I could enjoy it! We saw some baby snakes and a huge yabbie. We then came upon a junction- to the right was Thunder canyon. We left our bags at the intersection on a sandy bay and walked to the end (approx an hour and a half return). There is a huge rock pile where you can either climb up and over or there is a dark tunnel you can climb through. There is also some swims. At the end was a beautiful waterfall which we climbed through, and lay inside a very tight cavity full of glowworms!

From then on we continued down the canyon until the exit on the left. Due to the extreme heat, I was a bit slow! Once at the top you reach a large rock that overlooks the region. Continuing along, we traversed along a ridge (to the right) where upon we veered left and headed down the gully back into the creek- where to our relief we got to dip back into the icy cold water to refresh ourselves :) Then walked along the creek until we came across the red marker on the tree where we came in, and walked back up to the cars.

All in all, It was a very long, hot day (approx 8 hours car to car) but it was well worth it. Claustral is without a doubt a beautiful canyon! A few of the guys on the trip also knew my Uncle Ian from his SUBW days, which was pretty cool.

Rock platform overlooking the mountains

First abseil

Luke on the first abseil down the Hole of Calcutta

Luke on the first abseil

Bottom of first abseil

Bottom of darker, second abseil

Waiting for the rest to come out of the Hole of Calcutta

Walking through the canyon

Luke through the waterfall to the glowworms

Sun beams

Tunnel Swim

Adrian trying to avoid a swim

View on the way back out

Dargan's Creek Canyon

29/12/12

Party: Steph H, Luke S + 10 Others, led By Kosta

Grade: 2 (easy to moderate) if going normal way, 3 (moderate) if going via 40m abseil. Wetsuits needed but can be done without. 

Track Notes:

After packing up our tent, we drove along Bells Line of Road/Chifley Road and turned left on to the Zig Zag railway just past Newnes station onto a dirt road to the left of the railway track. We continued on until a large parking area and further down is Newnes Dam. 

We begun the day by practising abseiling down the dam and down an overhang, as well as learning how to prussik. After this, we turned left from the car park and walked along the ridge until we came to a 40m cliff face instead of going down the usual way. From here there is two bolts in the rock that are a little rusty but otherwise okay. It was a heart stopping abseil, only because mentally it was hard on everyone, but technically very easy. After this we went down the canyon until we came to a very dark and cold section. There are a couple of swims and some awkward climb downs into some pools. Most of these have hand over hand ropes or large logs to navigate down. After a while maybe an hour we came to a hand over hand climb out and a tree with pegs in it to get out, then a very quick 15-20 minute walk back to the car.

After this we came to a camping ground in the Newnes State Forest just off Glow worm tunnel road.

The next day we did Hole in the Wall canyon (see post below for notes) but did it in 6 hours instead of 8 and I did the abseils much better than the first time :)

DARGANS CREEK:

Learning how to Prussik (climb up the rope)

40m abseil into Dargans Creek Canyon

Hand over hand climb out

View from the bottom

Campsite

HOLE IN THE WALL:

First abseil

Second abseil down a waterfall

Second abseil

Juggler & Grand Canyon

28/12/12

Party: Steph H, Luke S + 13 others from SUBW, led by Tim V and helped by Monica & Chee

Grade: 3 (moderate), 6 abseils (Juggler) 1 abseil (Grand), wetsuit needed for Grand only.
Track Notes:

After leaving reasonably early, we met at Medlow Bath Station from which we drove on onto a dirt road where we came upon a fork in the road where we left all the cars.

We then set on down the road until we turned right down an inconspicuous path that lead down the creek until we came upon our first abseil of Jugglers. The abseils were great as they gradually became more difficult- with the first being a simple walk down a waterfall and the last being a large overhang (maybe 30m?). We did about 5 abseils where we then had lunch and found the very touristy track (turn left) and walked along this up to the entrance of Grand Canyon. 

Grand Canyon had spectacular views but felt too touristy. There was also a lot of regeneration works going on so the canyon was spoilt by huge bags of cement and dirt. We then came to a gate which marked the entrance to the canyon. There is only one abseil into the dark abyss which has an overhang, anchored off 3 large metal bolts into the rock. After this there is a few long and extremely cold swims and some rock scrambling, until you are back at the same gate we entered.

These two canyons took us ALL DAY because of the huge beginner group but Juggler could easily be done in maybe 3 hours and Grand in 1 hour. 

After saying goodbye to the group Luke and I left for Cathedral Reserve at Mt Wilson to camp. The long day had taken its toll and we were asleep by 8.30 after a very nice noodle dinner.

Abseiling down a waterfall into a deep pool

Andreas climbing down the big log

30m abseil off an overhang

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