Blue Mountains Canyon News
This page has been set up to provide news of interest to canyoners
and those who go canyoning in the Blue Mountains near Sydney. Please
feel free to submit any items of interest to
David Noble
This page was set up and is maintained by David Noble.
2011
January 25
- Roger Keenan has emailed and reported that the tunnel section in
Hole In The Wall Canyon has recently changed. He says - "Basically a large slab has fallen down
about halfway through forcing you to climb over it which wouldn't be a
problem except that you're in deep water and basically need to get a
leg up to get over it. And in the narrow crack that you had to squeeze
through near the end of the cave part there has also been a rock fall
which is also a difficult scramble out of deep water.Its not impossible
to get through but definitely a bit more difficult." Thanks
Roger for this information. Note - that it is quite easy to climb over
the tunnel.
- Canyon Grades and Difficulty? Tom Brennan has used a sensible
system in his guidebook.
I looked though his sandstone canyon list and (independently) made up
my own grades and difficulties and have placed it here.
2010
September 24
- It looks like access to Claustral Canyon from Tomah South has
been stopped by the landholders that are building the new house
mentioned below. NPWS have dismantled the stile at the old carpark near
the microwave tower. The fire trail that provided access in the past
goes through two private blocks of land and access through the first
block is now no longer possible. It looks like access to the canyon in
the future may be best made via Dismal Dingle. In this case the best
place for car parking would be further along on Mt Bell. It may be
possible to traverse from the saddle between Mt Bell and Mt Tomah on
the Bell Rd along to the causeway out to the Camels Hump. This route
may be the best access for people returning from the canyon (and Ranon
and Thunder Canyons). Hopefully it bypasses private land. Otherwise it
is possible to traverse from Mt Bell to near the junction of Claustral
and Ranon Canyons and descend into Claustral Canyon just above the
abseils (this is an old escape route if the canyon goes into flash
flood). Back in the 60's when Thunder Canyon was visited (this first
canyon in the trilogy to be explored) - most parties climbed out
on the true right downstream of Rainbow Ravine as shown on the map
below reproduced from Rik Jamison's early guidebook -
I have never exited from the canyon at
that point - but from the top of the pass (marked as "fairly easy" on
the map) - there is a fair ridge walk back to the Bell Road. And the
ridge is scrubby.
It is important that canyoners do not
attempt to access the canyon via the old route from Tomah South
through the private land. Private land extends well below where the
track leaves the firetrail below Tomah South - so it is not possible to
walk around the private land from Tomah South.
September 14
- I have heard that a house has been built in the paddock area near
the Claustral Canyon carpark on Mt Tomah - blocking access to the
firetrail that
provides access to Claustral Canyon and the usual return route for
visitors to Thunder and Ranon Canyons. I understand that NPWS is trying
to negotiate an alternative right of way to the canyons.
March 23
- The road to Mt Hay is currently closed - so there is no road
access to the many canyons along that access route. This includes Mt
Hay Canyon and Fortress Creek Canyon. According to the NPWS
website - the road is closed due to recent storm damage "until
further notice". See the website
for updates (choose Blue Mts National Park - "show details")
March 7
I was overseas when the tragedy
occurred near Wollangambe Canyon. It seemed that a party visiting
Wollangambe Canyon became disoriented and then lost for a few days. One
member of the party, whilst climbing, may have pulled a rock down on
himself resulting in his tragic death. Not being familiar with many of
the details of exactly what happened and where the party went, like
others I can only speculate and offer some advice to future parties
visiting popular canyons.
The accident that led to the death occurred after a period of heavy and
sustained rain. In such circumstances - when the ground is saturated,
it is common for rocks and boulders to pull out easily from steep
slopes and cliffs. Great care and caution is advised.
It is a mystery how the party became so disoriented. Perhaps they did
not carry a map and compass? It seems that they missed some of the
common exits to Wollangambe Canyon and spent a night overdue in an
overhang south of the Wollangambe River. The next day - they climbed up
and found themselves on a track. They followed the track - back down to
the Wollangambe River and reportedly "swam across" and continued up the
other side - spending another night in an overhang. The next day, while
attempting to get to a high point in the hope of attracting helicopter,
the accident occurred which resulted in the death of a young member of
the party. Not long after, the remaining members of the party did
attract the attention of a helicopter and were rescued. This
information is based on a post by to the oz.canyons email list.
Now - how did the party become so disoriented? In particular, what led
them to re-cross the Wollangambe - bringing them further from roads and
help?
First - the accident occurred in the Wollangambe Wilderness. This is a
very rugged area with lots of deep canyons and cliffs. Navigation is
often confusing and drainage patterns can be particularly difficult to
discern. Parts of the area are covered with magnetic rock which can
confuse compasses (although these rocks, in my experience, tend to be
further away - near Lost Flat to the north). In good weather and clear
conditions even experienced parties have been confused with their
navigation. One example I can give is that I know if at least two
separate parties attempting to visit Bell Ck Canyon after crossing Du
Faurs Creek and climbing onto a ridge above Bell Ck, miss-navigated and
finding themselves back in Du Faurs Creek. They continued down Du Faurs
Creek (Clatterteeth Canyon) assuming they were in Bell Ck, until they
got to the Bell Ck/Du Faurs Ck junction.
There are many passes in and out of the Wollangambe Canyon. Some are
easy, some are tricky. I would speculate that the above party continued
down the Wollangambe a fair way (it is mainly easy going) and probably
found themselves below traditional exits - such as the one near the
Waterfall of Moss side creek. If it was wet, cloudy and overcast it
could be difficult to work out which way to go when they arrived on a
ridge. If they climbed up onto the ridge with a track that goes to the
Cathedral of Ferns - then they may have been unsure which way to go. Do
you walk left or right? In clear conditions - it is easy to observe the
higher ground to the south. In this case - the party may not have known
how far down the canyon they were - and as it has many big bends - some
times flowing north and at other times flowing south. If they thought
they were in a north flowing section when they climbed out, but where
really in a section flowing south - then it would be natural to think
you go right when you reach the track. The track in question even has a
slight saddle - so to go to the right would be going uphill, at least
for a while. If they were on this track - then to cross the Wollangambe
- they would have to "swim across". Why did they cross? Perhaps they
saw a bit of rope hanging down that is used by parties visiting creeks
and canyons to the north? This may have encouraged them to seek a way
out? After climbing up - they would have been close to where found
(near Whungee Wheengee Canyon).
Some advice -
- Take a map and compass
and know how to use them.
- Take matches or a
lighter and fire starting materials (I use old bit of bike inner tube
as fire starters) - a fire can make a cold night out bearable and the
smoke can attract rescuers. In the Blue Mountains a fire can be started
in any weather with skill and
care.
- Take a GPS if unsure how to navigate using map and compass. A GPS
may not work too well in deep canyons.
- Take an personal locator beacon (PLB or Epirb). They may not work
too well in canyons however - but they will work in gorges and on
ridges. They can be borrowed free of charge from police stations at
Springwood and Katoomba (24 hours) or from NPWS Blackheath during
office hours.
- Be very careful climbing and scrambling after rain.
- If lost - it is far better to stay where you are rather than try
and walk out if you are unsure which direction to go. Search parties
will probably follow along major tracks or water ways such as canyons.
It may nto be practical or safe to stay in a canyon however - and it
may be worth climbing out and staying nearby.
One great danger that could
happen in an easy canyon like Wollangambe Canyon is the danger of a
flash flood. I have seen water levels rise very quickly in the nearby
and similar Bungleboori Creek (water level up several metres in 10
minutes due to a very intense hailstorm). Canyon visitors need to be
aware of this possibility and note high points and possible escape
routes.
- Canyoners should note that the Grand Canyon at Blackheath is
still closed - due to trackwork. This is supposed to be completed by
the end of June 2010.
2009
October 12
- Tom Brennan has put together a collection of his canyon route
notes and placed them online here as a
pdf. When printed double sided they staple toogther to make a handy
little 64 page A5 booklet.
- Tom also reports that he has heard that logging is currently
taking place in the Newnes Plateau forest and it will effectively mean
that access is cut off to the Deep Pass area (Both Deep Pass Clearing
(the campsite) and Deep Pass (the saddle) until April 2010. Tom
suggests - "If you're planning to go
anywhere in the Deep Pass/Natural Bridge area, you might first want to
contact Forests NSW Bathurst Office on 6331 2044"
2008
June 3
- It is very sad to report that an old friend and fellow canyoner,
Ted Daniels, passed away last week. Ted was an active walks leaded for
the National Parks Association in the 1970's and he was the person that
on one of his walks introduced me to the South Wolgan Area. On that walk,
in
1974,
Ted
pointed
out
what
would
later be called "Heart Attack
Canyon" and later on the walk we also visited "Inverse Canyon". It was
a great trip. Ted then got into canyoning - and was on the first
descent trips of Surefire Canyon and Galah Canyon. Not too long after
this period, he retired, and together with his wife Brenda, moved to
some of his favorite country near Rylstone. Ted was a thoroughly decent
bloke that had a great love for the bush. He will be sadly missed.
- Summit Gear have they winning photos of their canyon competition
on their website. See the link below.
April 10
- Summit Gear are holding an exhibition of photos from their photo
competition on the evening of Saturday 12 April -
The
Summit Gear Edelrid Canyon Photography competition has been a great
success, with well in excess of 200 entries received!
This Saturday 12th April at 6.30 pm
at Summit Gear Katoomba is the exhibition opening and prize giving, and
all OzCanyoners are welcome. It will be a night of great photos, great
company, and great stories from a bumper summer in the canyons.
The fine print: 80 Bathurst Rd
KATOOMBA, on Saturday 12th April (this Saturday!) at 6.30pm.
See www.summitgear.com.au
- It appears the road access to the Waratah Ridge has been restored.
February 3
- A friend recently rang the forestry office in Bathurst to find
out the current situation regarding access to Waratah Ridge (for Hole
in the Wall and many other canyons) and was advised that the forestry
operations are still underway and are expected to take till the end of
February to complete. There is alternative road access via the Eastern
Boundary Road - which goes around he perimeter of the forest -
but recent rain has made this 4WD only. (Last year a friend managed
this road in his Camry without too much trouble)
- Allan Wells has advised that some hydrological changes have taken
place in Wollangambe Canyon. A few minutes downstream of the normal
"tourist section" - there is a boulder choked section that normally
involves a waterjump or a tricky downclimb. Now the water flows to the
left of the boulder. The downclimb section now has no flow. This makes
it easier for people coming upstream from Why Don't We Do It In The
Road canyon and who don't want to climb out one of the lower exits.
- Katoomba based Summit
Gear are running a canyoning
photo competition with prizes worth over $2000. Entries
close at the end of March 2008. Full details on their website.
- A new local canyoning website -
- The Victorian climbers site - chockstone.org - has an interesting
report on "Protecting
an
Abseil" by Dr Ron Farmer
- A canyoner in the Wolgan Valley at Newnes on the Australia Day
long weekend - on the way up the Pipeline Track to start a canyon was
bitten by a tiger snake. The snake, was shedding its skin and was
disturbed by the canyoner as she walked past. It struck towards her.
She did not realise she was bitten - until 20 minutes later when two
puncture marks we observed when then the party was resting higher up
the track. She started feeling a bit nauseous and even though a dry
bite was suspected (no venom injected) - the party wisely played it
safe and improvised a stretcher out of logs, wetsuits and tape and took
her back to camp and from there by car to Lithgow Hospital. After 4
hours of "tests" she was found to be OK.
- I have long used Glen Davis as a starting point for canyoning
trips. I was out that way with friends on the Australia Day long
weekend. I was surprised to find that there were at least 3 other
canyoning parties in the area. If you do canyon out that way -
please remember that it is a "wild canyoning area" - so don't use
cairns to mark passes. Also - don't write up and publish (on-line or
otherwise) detailed notes with grid references for the canyons you
visit.
2007
December 23
- It would appear that all the Grose canyons are now open. There is
no reference to any of them being closed on the NPWS webpage for Fire,
Flood
and
Park
Closure for Blue Mts National Park. Grose Valley
walking tracks are still closed except for Perrys Lookdown to Accacia
Flat.
December 17
- Further to the fatality in Thunder Canyon
There is now a report in the
accident
register
site. Quoting from it -
At
this point there are two options for descent; either down the
groove on the left (facing downstream) that usually has water
flowing down it, or alternatively on the right which is usually free of
water. Both options have been known to have a fixed rope in place
and there is a log anchor on the right (often with slings around it)
that would allow descent by staying out of the main flow of water. It
is also possible to drop off the centre of the rock into a pool
of water although care must be taken to avoid a large rock that is
often just under the water. A number of people have been injured here
after hitting the rock. In low water the left groove is an easy
scramble that for most becomes a safe slide into the water as it
becomes hard to hold the handline.
Some comments -
In my guide "Blue Mts Canyons" for Wild magazine I wrote about this
drop -
Before
long
there
is
another
awkward
short
drop;
it can be jumped, but this
requires great care as the pool contains many submerged boulders. In
low water it can be downclimbed on the left. In higher water an abseil down the right
side is needed. (emphasis added)
In a posting to the OzCanyons yahoo group of 9 Nov 2004, I wrote about
Claustral Canyon -
A few
points -
The minimum rope for Claustral is 22m
If in flood - you can climb out
before the abseils, downstream of the two waterjumps. I have climbed
out onto the Camels Hump - and it was not too difficult to scramble out
of the canyon, and I know of another party that climbed out on the true
right - although they later had to abseil down a cutting onto the Bell
Rd.
Where there are pools - it is a good
idea to use an abseiling device like a piton brake or rappel rack
rather than an ATC - to avoid the danger of dropping the device into
the pool.
and in relation to the short drops in the Thunder Gorge section -
In really high water - they are not climb
downs - and must be abseiled
(emphasis added) - eg the last drop, after the tunnel, do on the right,
off the high log. If you can climb down - then the water is not too high
For the second drop - the one where the
accident took place - I have never seen a fixed rope in place on the
true right - and it is not a climb down or hand over hand - it is an
abseil. The left hand route is a climb down (in low water) - and no
fixed rope is needed for this. It is quite easy to chimney - squirm
down to a hidden ledge near the bottom and then carefully drop into the
water - not too far out because of the submerged boulder - which slopes
out towards the waterfall.
Here is a picture of the drop - taken in low water
The drop occurs because of the huge boulder. The left hand (low water)
route is just right of the middle of the photo. Only a tiny amount of
water is flowing down the groove. The right hand (high water) abseil
route is from a log wedged on top of the second, smaller boulder on top
of the huge boulder. The route goes down the groove on the left of the
photo - next to the shadow. Once the abseil rope is deployed - start
the abseil from the large boulder, not from the log. At the bottom -
you can traverse the slopping ledge, shown on the left looking back, if
you want to avoid turbulent aerated water.
I have placed a short movie of the left hand route
here.
This
movie
was
taken
last
saturday
-
in fairly high water (but probably
a fair bit lower than the party involved in the accident experienced).
In the movie - you can see the fixed rope still in place at the top.
The above two images (frames of digital video) show the top of the drop
showing the left hand route in the relatively high water of last
Saturday.
This image shows a member of our party abseiling the drop using the
right hand route.
December 10
- Further to the report below - here is Jim Cook's email to the
OzCanyons yahoo group that gives the details of the accident -
I
know many of you knew Ian Knapp, both personally and via this forum.
Yesterday whilst doing Claustral
Canyon, Ian accidentally became wedged
in a stream of water and was forced
under due to the pressure of water
and drowned.
Ian was last in our party of 4 and
became jammed above the last fixed
rope climb down, about 200m upstream
of the exit track, so it was
extremely difficult for the rest of
us to get back up to him. Due to
the extraordinary rock climbing
skills of one of the party we did
finally reach him but it was too late.
The weather conditions were fine and
the volume of water in the canyon
was high but definitely not extreme.
I have done the canyon safely
with Ian in water conditions that
were much higher.
I know this forum can sometimes go a
little "over the top" in people
presuming what may or may not have
happened in events where they were
not present. Under the tragic
circumstances I ask those who may be
tempted to conjecture to respect
Ian's family and please refrain. I
was there and am happy to discuss the
circumstances one a one-to-one
basis.
For those who want to know the safety
message it is that we should not
used fixed lines placed directly in
the stream of water (especially
when water levels are high), as is
the last one in Claustral. The
member of our party who managed to
climb up to Ian is a professional
canyon guide in France and he
commented that in Europe where they often
experience very high water flows in
canyons they never use fixed
scramble lines that take you into the
main stream of water.
There is a substantial log with
slings on it on the opposite side of
the creek and that would be the more
appropriate place for a fixed
line/short abseil.
Jim
Thanks to Jim for permission to
reproduce his email here. Another friend of Ian's - Julie Burton has
placed a pictorial tribute to Ian
here.
There is a new report
here
in the Lithgow Mercury and there is a police report
here
that says that Claustral Canyon will remain closed.
December 7
- It is sad to report the death of canyoner Ian Knapp of Sydney. He
drowned on a trip down Claustral Canyon yesterday. The accident occured
in Thunder Canyon, after the Claustral junction, on the short
drop below the tunnel swim and before Rainbow Ravine. There is often a
short handline on this drop. The other three members of the party had
descended the drop successfully. Ian started descending using the
handline and got caught and jammed in the torrent somehow. Water levels
were high at the time. Ian was well known and highly respected in the
Sydney canyoning community. He was a prominent poster to the online
OzCanyons yahoo group and was always willing to share his knowledge and
love of canyons and canyoning. There is a report concerning what
happened and may tributes on the OzCanyons site.
There is short report on the Sydney Morning Herald site here
and a video item on the yahoo seven site
(this link may change - you may have to go back a few pages)
November 23
- The Dam Cliffs at Dargans Creek has now been reopened - and the
gates have now been unlocked. So Dargans Creek Canyon should now be
accessible.
November 21
- UTS Outdoor Adventure Club are holding their fourth "Canyon
Festival" at Mt Wilson on 1 - 2 December
- The Waratah Ridge access to Hole in the Wall and many other
canyons in the Wollangambe Wilderness section of Blue Mountains
National Park is closed for forestry operations. It may be possible in
the near future to access this area via the Eastern Boundary Rd (this
turns off the Two Trees Rd - and is steeper, but bypasses most of the
forestry harvesting operations). At present some of the canyons in that
area may be better approached via Deep Pass. The fine for illegal entry
is $2000 + GST
- Mt Wilson - The landholder who owns the land which the fire trail
from the Cathedral of Ferns - and provides access to lower sections of
Wollangambe Canyon, Whungee Wheengee Canyon and Why Don't We Do It In
The Road Canyon (and others) - has placed a "trespassers prosecuted"
sign at the gate. He has had equipment stolen recently and rubbish left
on his property. In the past he has been happy with canyoners passing
through. Please respect the landholders rights. These canyons can be
approached still via the other end of the trail via the Fire Station.
- Note that most Grose Canyons are still closed (due to last
summer's bushfires) - this includes - Ranon, Thunder, Yileen, Dalpura,
Magnifying Glass and other canyons off the Bell Rd
- Also closed are the Dam Cliffs - and access to Dargans Ck Canyon.
This area has been investigated by the managers - the Department of
Lands (I think the main problems was the stability of the dam walls).
The following email was posted to the rock climbers - chockstone forum
-
The
Department of Lands will be holding a public meeting to gain valuable
public input into the future management of this Reserve, which will now
be open to the public for recreation following the successful
resolution of risk and access issues.
The Minister’s office is arranging
for a media release to be in the local papers and radio, however we
have your contact details as an interested stakeholder and so would
like to extend an invitation to you to attend the meeting:
Date: Monday 26th November
Location: Clarence Rural Fire Service
station
Time: 6.00pm
Please reply to this email with your
intention to attend so that we may ensure sufficient seating and other
arrangements.
Regards,
Tamsin
Tamsin Martin
Team Leader Environment
Department of Lands
Tel. 6391 4309
Mob. 0428 934 330
PO Box 2146
Orange NSW 2800
October 2
- Mt Hay Canyon and Fortress Ck Canyon are now open. Other Grose
Canyons except for Claustral Canyon and Grand Canyon are still closed.
March 9
- Claustral Canyon (and only Claustral Canyon) is now open - of the
canyons in the Grose area closed following the recent bushfires.
Older news items are archived
here (from November 2001 to
2005)
here (from April 2001)
here (from June 21 2000),
here (1999) and
here (1998)
This page has been accessed
times since 19 Dec 2008
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