Blue Mountains Canyon News - Archive 1

December 8

• A film crew from Channel 9 were recently filming in Twister and Rocky Creek canyons. This will be for a segment on Wollemi National Park in a 6:30 Sunday documentary series on Australia scheduled to be screened during February 99.
• I had my first look last weekend at the road that extends out along the Waratah Ridge in Blue Mts National Park. This road was bulldozed during the bushfires last summer. The damage to the wilderness caused by the road is indeed bad. Further out along the road - there seems to be burnt area on one side and unburnt area on the other - so it may have done some good - but the scar will take many years to heal. The NPWS have placed a barrier at the old carpark (at Pot Hill) - but there is evidence of people driving around it (despite the threat of heavy fines). Indeed - one person with a flat battery had pushed his 4WD around the barrier in an unsucessfull attempt to clutch start their vehicle.
• A have heard a report that there is already a track forming to Yileen Canyon following its recent description being published in Rick Jamieson's new edition of his guidebook. Rick gives the canyon a "rave review". In my opinion it is a fair canyon but certainly nothing special.
• I was recently wondering when the term "canyoning" first appeared. I know it was in use in 1963 (as in "we are going canyoning this weekend" as distinct from "we are going to visit a canyon"). Does anybody know who first started using it and when (and also if the term arose in Australia)?

  
   

   

November 24

• The NPWS have now blocked off the Mt Cameron Track at the Natural Bridge with a permanent barrier. Another barrier (and sign) has been placed at the old car park on the Waratah Ridge (at Pot Hill) - this prevents car access along the road bulldozed into the wilderness during last summer's bushfires. Visitors to the canyons in the area may consider helping revegetation by throwing the odd log or two onto the road after the barrier. Any sightings of vehicles after the barrier should be reported to the Blackheath office of the NPWS. Note the number plates - and the owners will be fined. I understand that this barrier will be moved further west - to near the pine plantation once the wilderness area dedication goes ahead. Canyoners visiting this area may want to consider parking nearer the pine plantation in the interim.
• The bolts placed illegally in Hole In The Wall Canyon have been removed. It has been suggested that they were placed by commercial operators to facilitate easy abseiling starts. Perfectly adequate natural belay points exist where the bolts were placed.
• There seems to have been a few accidents recently involving canyoning - some by experienced canyoners. With the recent rains - the ground becomes saturated and can cause rocks to be unstable. As well - the canyons become very slippery. Be more careful than usual!

  
   

   

November 10

• A current list of canyons available within the Blue Mts National Parks for commercial operators to visit can be found here. Note this is converted from an Excel spreadsheet into html and the formatting is not ideal (but I hope to improve it soon). If anybody sees commercial groups down any canyons not on the list (and within a national park in the Blue Mts) then please let the NPWS know.
• Here is an extract from a forwarded email of interest:

  
  For the route into Hole in the Wall Canyon, National Parks and Wildlife asks canyoners and bushwalkers to please park their vehicles in the original car park and not to drive on the new trail blazed during the Bungleboori Fire. We are planning to rehabilitate and revegetate this trail when funds become available and would greatly appreciate all users keeping their vehicles off it to allow regrowth of seedlings and resprouting of burnt plants. It is alright to walk along it.

  If you have any further questions or requests for information please ring the Blue Mountains District Office on 02 4787 8877 or E-MAIL. me.

  We would also be pleased to receive information from you about the canyons and tracks leading to them.

  I hope you have safe and enjoyable times in the canyons this Summer.

  Yours sincerely,

  Tony Garbellini

  Commercial Licensing Officer

   Blue Mountains District.

• I understand that the NPWS indeed plans to block off the bulldozed road along the Waratah Range in the Wollangambe Wilderness (- access to Hole In The Wall and other canyons) in the very near future. This will allow for revegetation of the wilderness. During the early 80's - the road from the edge of the pine forest to what is known as "Pot Hill" (the site of an old marajuana plantation) was becoming quite overgrown. Canyoners too lazy to walk a kilometre or two have been caused a lot of damage over the years and have compromised the wilderness.

  
  Also, the NPWS having aquired the inholding at Mount Cameron will now also be soon permanently blocking off the Mt Cameron Track at the Natural Bridge and allowing it to revegetate.

October 31

• I have heard there are some bolts in Hole in the Wall Canyon. Ring bolts and hex heads. Located at last abseil - but they may be on other drops - so have a look around. Next time you are out that way please take a spanner and wheel brace to remove them.
• Allan Wells (Blackheath resident, SBW & CMW) writes:

  
  There is a little known pass to the true left side (heading downstream) of the waterfall at the end of Hat Hill Creek canyon. It is known as Lew's Pass, after Lewis Hodgkinson, an elderly resident of Blackheath who first found the pass with Colin Campbell in the early 1950's I think, although it could have been earlier. He also gives an interesting account of a trip down Surveyor's Gully pass, later known as Orangutan Pass, back in the late 30's, again with Colin Campbell. I have used this pass a number of times as an alternative to abseiling the falls. A short (8m) length of tape is handy though not necessary to scramble down the 3m drop onto the scrubby ledge a few metres to the left of the falls. This ledge is followed to the left until it meets up with the talus slope which is easily walked down and around to the base of the falls. Alternatively keep heading left after walking down the talus slope and get onto a spur to take you down to the Grose River.
   
   

October 12

• The canyons in the Wollangambe Wilderness that were closed by the NPWS due to bushfire damage are now open. Visitors to Cesspit Canyon (South branch of Dumbano Ck) report a lot of floating sediment in the canyon.
• Brett Snelson writes:

  
  Myself and a group of friends, went for a wander through Breakfast Creek Canyon on the 4 October. To our disapointment had to carry out an extra bag full of rubbish. Canyoning should be an enjoyable experience and its environment left that way for others to enjoy. We also didn't need to see the previous group's religous advertisements along the way -- LDS -- Latter Day Saints. We don't care who you are or what you belong to, have some repect for natural environments such as canyons -- they are not there to be trashed or used as bill boards for lost souls.

• I have heard reports of new bolts (!!!!) being found (and removed) by canyoners visiting Dalpurra Creek.
• The Sydney University Speleos website has moved again. Their excellent canyoning photo gallery can be found at http://ee.usyd.edu.au/suss/Canyoning/Canyoning.html

  
   

   

September 8

• According to sources the presently closed canyons in the Wollangambe Wilderness will be reopened by the NPWS on October Ist.

  
   

   

• Dunlop have introduced new styles of "Volley" sandshoe. These shoes have long been favoured by many NSW bushwalkers and canyoners in particular because of their grip on wet slippery rock. A few years ago, Dunlop moved production offshore. The first generation of Chinese made Volleys were widely criticised because of their poor wear. The upper seemed poorly attached to the sole and the sole itself was made from a softer material and could be penetrated by sharp sticks. The new Volleys are still made in China and feature a slightly modified design. The sole still seems fairly soft. I have been testing a pair - so far for 8 days bushwalking/canyoning and some small sections of the sole have split off. Grip seems to be reasonable. They are available in a variety of colours! There is also a more expensive suede style - a bit like the "Supervolley" introduced for a short time about ten years ago.

July 20

• The "other" Dave Noble writes:

  
  Heres some info on river caves....... It was first discovered by Russel (Rus) May and John Norris in the late 1940's (1948-1949) and they called it the "Water Tunnel".... They approached by walking down Budgery creek which was then called Buggary Creek and Mt Buggary. John Norris also named Mt Norris near Deep Pass. They also built the Deep Pass hut. They first went to Mt Barakee by jeep in 1959............ They are still alive in Lithgow today, aged 71 or 72 Hope this adds some light to the history of this area......

June 30

• Chris Cosgrove writes:

  
  The July 1998 issue of Inside Sport (available now at all good newsagents) has six glossy pages (pp 104--109) of photos of Mt Hay Canyon. Included are pictures of the chockstone abseil and the direct exit.

  Also, check out the photos of Nikki on pp 68--77.

June 16

• The current issue of GEO magazine features a spread on Blue Mountains sandstone canyons. A short article by Peter Christian accompanies some quite nice photos, mainly by Rob Jung. Claustral, Galah, Heart Attack and Newnes canyons are featured.

June 15

• Dave Stuckey has pointed out that you can now get Katoomba weather forecast via Yahoo. If you would rather see what the weather is actually like then you can look at the web cam near the Katoomba scenic railway and skyway. Good for planning those last minute canyoning trips! (well at least it will be if it still runs next summer)

June 2

• Craig Flynn and Amanda Spargo have started an attractive new canyon site - Craig and Mandy's Canyon Page. It features a good selection of Mandy's photos of canyons and a featured canyon of the month virtual tour. This month it features Newnes Canyon.
• Also Craig Flyn writes:

  
  I was just wondering about commercial parties access to Dargan creek canyon. It is not listed on your page as a canyon open to such trips. Does this have anything to do with it not being in a National park (therefore free game)?

  The reason I ask is that earlier in the year we while at the dams rock climbing we came across a tour opperater from Katoomba who had a group from bathurst uni with them. The group contained 70 phys ed students on a compulsary course. The course was held over two days and the group was split into three. One third climbing, one third absieling and the others doing the canyon.

  At the time we found the number of students to guides disturbing and the sheer size of the group excessive. Surely, if the course was truly necessary, they could of taken smaller groups on different weekends.

  Are there any regulations governing canyons that lie outside the National Parks or are these people free to trash them in the name of making a quick buck?

May 19

• "The World Around Us" last Saturday (16th May) on the Blue Mts featured a short section on canyoning. The canyon visited was Mt Hay Canyon. The presenter was accompanied by Lucas Trihey.

May 13

• On "The World Around Us", Channel 7, 6:30 pm, on Saturday the 16th May the program features the Blue Mts. One section (according to the SMH Guide) "Greg Grainger .... experiences canyoning - the art of abseiling through waterfalls". Click here for more details.

May 8

• University of New England Mountaineering Club has an interesting set of web pages that feature amongst other things a set of animated gifs showing how to tie common knots. To see an example of a double fishermans knot (the main knot used to join two ropes for canyoning) click here .

April 27

• Last saturdays Sydney Morning Herald "Good Weekend" magazine contained an article written by Lincoln Hall on canyoning.

  
   The article describes the descent of a canyon that is a "major undertaking in terms of time and commitment". The canyon is not named but from its description it is obviously Claustral Canyon. Three photographs by Lucas Trihey accompany the text. One is a fine shot of an abseiler on the main drop in Mt Hay Canyon (but why do some people still refer to this canyon as "Butterbox" - I wonder?). The text of the article gives a fair introduction to the sport but from its style would seem more in place in a tabloid paper.

April 15

• Draft plans of management have been released by the NPWS for Blue Mts and Kanangra Boyd National Parks. The one for Blue Mts hints that permits may be needed some time in the future to regulate useage to some of the more popular canyons. There is also the suggestion that some sort of canyon weather alert service be set up. I will post more details when I get to see the draft plans.

  
   

   

• The weeding of Arethusa Canyon mentioned below was part of the Great Grose Gorse Walk. The idea is to remove weeds from the Grose's catchment. Volunteers are needed to assist the NPWS on similar future activities. Contact ranger Cath Ireland (NPWS Blackheath) on 02 4787 8877.
• More on the canyon closures caused by the bushfires last summer. The NPWS have been active in patroling the closed off canyon area on the Waratah Range in the Wollangambe Wilderness. If action by the NPWS results in a court case then a fine of up to $5000 may be imposed on people infringing on the restrictions. The present restrictions may last until Spring.
• Dave Lockwood has passed on more interesting URL's relating to US slot canyons. Visitor regulations to a series of slot canyons can be found here . One of these slot canyons experienced a recent flash flood in which 11 people died. Details can be found here . Another site contains interesting photographs and information on Buckskin Gulch slot canyon.
• The Sydney University Speleos website has moved slightly. They have an excellent canyoning photo gallery which can be found at http://omphacite.es.su.oz.au/geo_sponsored/SUSS/canyoning/index.html

  
   

   

March 31

• The NPWS last weekend undertook a program of removal of weeds from Arethusa Canyon.
• Reports indicate that people are still visiting canyons in the Wollangambe Wilderness that are closed. This includes Hole In The Wall Canyon. I understand that there is a $300 fine for entering the closed area. A barrier and sign placed by the NPWS on the Waratah Ridge seem to have been removed by vandals. I will investigate this further.

  
   

   

March 30

• More information on the bolts in Wollangambe canyon. They are at the exit for the normal (tourist) section on the way out. There are two bolts on the route that uses the tree roots and another two bolts on the nearby rock climb route.
• The NPWS is considering allowing commercial groups to take parties down Breakfast Creek and Whungee Wheengee Canyons. One commercial company was seen taking a large party of clients down Breakfast Creek Canyon on 14 March. This is despite the fact that this is NOT at present on the approved list (see below).
• Colin Wood (from The Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs) has posted the following item to the Newsgroup aus.bushwalking :

  
  It has been leaked to me that canyon Colliery in the grose that includes approx 3 popular canyons will be handed over to "Earth Sanctuaries" a private organisation. They will fence this area off and manage it as a private area. A meeting of shareholders will be held at the gates of the colliery this Sat and Sun at 10am. If anybody wants to go along they may not be welcome. Who knows who is a shareholders or not?.
   
   

• The current issue of the Sierra Club Journal featured a nice canyon photo as mentioned earlier. Another page illustrating these canyons can be found he re. Thanks Dave Lockwood for the URL.
• Andrew Tupalski, a Canberra based abseiler and canyoner has set up a web page on abseiling.

March 25

• A SUBW party that visited Tiger Snake Canyon on 22 March reports finding a new set of bolts in place. Unfortunately, they didn't have the tools to remove the bolts. All the bolts have been placed illegally. They are at places where there either no need to abseil (the drop can be climbed down without difficulty) or there is an existing tree or log belay. Most of the bolts are ring bolts. There is an older hex bolt still in the lower section of canyon.
• I have also heard reports of new bolts seen on one of the exits of Wollangambe Canyon.
• The current issue of the Sierra Club Journal features a nice canyon photo. More images of canyons in USA can be viewed on the photographer's home page

March 16

• A correspondent writes in saying:

  
  Kalang Falls - The Watagan Wanderers (see report of accident mentioned below) have installed a plaque!!!!!! It's twice the size of ALEXIA at about 300mm x 300mm...... Surely a club should not be installing such things! Apparently it's on a climb and can be used as a handholds..... And it's only glued on!!!!!!! Could this kill more people????
   
   

• The same correspondent continues -

  
  Butterbox (Mt Hay Canyon) - A group of about 10 Venturers were trundling rocks off the ledge just before the climb out of the Grose. This resulted in the rocks landing on the lower track and destroying trees and creating large craters.At the top the erosion caused by moving these rocks is significant.
   
   

• They also confirm that the tunnel swim in the Thunder/Claustral system is down:

  
  The tunnel swim is back down. The reason for the rising and falling is caused by water passing through the sand at the end of the tunnel swim. Water passes through the sand at a certain rate, when it drops the whole pool is lowered
   
   

• A party recently visiting King George Canyon recently recovered a length of knotted polypropylene rope tied from a tree, hanging into the canyon from the north. They wonder who could have left such a rope.

  
   

   

• A large fire scar was found a short distance along Daniels Ridge past the end of the road that goes from near Galah Mountain (near Rocky Creek Canyon) towards Galah Canyon. The large fireplace was cleaned up and covered with leaf litter - but a clearing around it unfortunately remains. At the centre of the fire was found the remains of a Trangia stove. Whilst on the subject of this road - it was constructed by a drilling company in 1977 and should have been revegetated when they completed their work (like some of the other drilling roads in the area). It was, for a long time, quietly revegetating by itself - but now it seems to be used by all and sundry - all the bushes on it have been bashed down by four wheel drives - the passengers of which seem too lazy to walk a kilometre or two.

Feb 25

• Steven Brown writes:

  I was taking a small group of Venturers and Rovers from Greater Western Sydney Region through Cederwood canyon on Saturday (21st Feb) and we were exiting via Rocky Ck. At the jump in to Rocky Ck. we came across a group who had one member with a badly twisted/sprained ankle which she did further into the canyon. Ambulance officers were in attendance as well as Westpac buzzing around overhead looking for them.

  I took my party out as they had had a long day and the other group (with the victim) seemed ready to walk out once she was winched out.

  As we walked out we passed another ambo walking in with the stokes litter and he told us she had to be carried out as the chopper pilot thought it too risky to winch her. My group got back to the cars, ditched our wet gear, grabbed our torches and some snacks and went back in to assist with getting her out.

  We met up with them at the tree with the rope tied to it between the Twister Canyon? (some call it sheep dip) exit track and rocky creek. From there it took about two and a half hours to get her back to the cars.

  The other group had no first aid kit, no torches, little food and generally no idea. We had seen them at the carpark that morning and we commented among ourselves at the lack of gear they were taking in with them. They just slung their wetsuits over their shoulder and off they went.

  Steven Brown.

  Regional Rock Related Activities Leader

  Greater Western Sydney Region

Feb 24

• It seems the tunnel swim in the Claustral/Thunder area is now back in its low state. Perhaps it fills up after rain and then takes a few days to go down. It appears to be over a metre lower than it was a few years ago - turning much of the swim into an easy wade.
• The newsgroup aus.bushwalking has had a long and at times heated discussion concerning Rick Jamieson's 3rd edition of his guidebook "Canyons Near Sydney". I mentioned in my critique that the author seems to have copied a mistake I made years ago in a Wild article about the name of "Water Dragon Canyon" and he has finally fixed it up in his new edition. Well, he hasn't campletely! If you look at his Wollangambe Canyon map you will still see the wrong name "Crayfish Canyon".
• There has also been a discussion on the newsgroup on the best knots to use for tying tape in canyon belay points. This has now moved on to the discussion of knots used to tie ropes. Interesting.

Feb 18

• A correspondent writes in saying:

  Did you hear about a certain Blue Mountains commercial canyoning company

  On a Saturday in November 97, a trip was led through Rocky Creek and at the first jump where the canyon starts a client broke a leg jumping into the pool. A helicopter was called and they were airlifted out..

  The following day, a Sunday, the same leader was leading a trip through Hole in the Wall. On the first water jump or climb down whichever you do...It's the one that often contains a fixed tape just before the first abseil, anyway one of the clients broke a leg!!! Not to be seen to be bad to the authorities (from previous day) he decided to carry the VICTIM out and in the process there is a rumour he drove through the bush at the start to get them out.

• While on the subject of commercial parties. Here is a list of canyons that commercial companies are allowed to visit with the ratio of guides to clients and the maximum party size.
  • Surefire, Galah, Danae, Tigersnake, Mt Hay, Why don't we do it in the road?, North Bowens, Kanangra Falls, Claustral, Hole in the Wall, Ranon = 1/4 ratio = 8 max
  • Kalang = 1/4 ratio = 10 max
  • Dione Dell, Grand, Empress=1/4 ratio = 12 max
  • Bell, Twister, Sheep Dip, Fortress, Hat Hill, Rocky, Rivercave, Du Faurs = 1/8 ratio = 12 max
  • Deep Pass, Wollangambe = 1/8 ratio = 14 max

Feb 12.

• Rick Jamieson's - "Canyons Near Sydney Guide" - 3rd edition published. This is sure to be contentious. A short critique is to be found here.
• A party returning from Ranon Brook reports a lot of log movement in the Ranon/Claustral system following recent storms. A large tree has fallen at the Ranon/Claustral junction. The tunnel swim is now back as well.

Feb 8

• A NP&WS inspection party looking at Hole In The Wall Canyon finds evidence of visitation despite the canyon being closed. Barriers placed over the new road (bulldozed for fire supression purposes) have been vandalised. When this canyon system re-opens (perhaps next summer) - please park well back towards the pine forest to allow the road to re-vegetate.
• The NP&WS announces (20th Jan) an ammended list of canyons that are closed. Click here for details.
• For details of a recent canyoning accident in Kalang Falls (resulting in a fatality) click here for a report.