Canyoning

Craig's picture
Craig started the topic in Tuesday, 2 Mar 2021 at 8:26pm

After visiting the northern Blue Mountains just after the fires were put out last February, me and a few mates paid a visit back to the same area to see how the recovery was going.

Some places the new blue gum regrowth was dense but at some of the hotter burn sites, there recovery looked slow and with no upper foilage.

One positive was the return of insects, ants, bugs and the sounds of birds. There was no sight of any larger fauna though including snakes, echidnas, koalas, kangaroos etc.

We hit a canyon that didn't looked to be as impacted by the fire and the green Jurassic scenes were just that, playing out our own Tomb Raider real life adventure..





Last year vs this..



Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 2 Mar 2021 at 8:43pm

Then after getting psyched on last week's canyon, we planned another one on the weekend just gone to what was expected to be a more entry level experience for a couple of our friends.

Well, on arrival at the abseil point into the canyon proper we looked down in awe at the trees some 70m below. We had to do 2x 26m abseils back to back and with that 70m exposure, the heart was absolutely racing. The less experienced handled it really really well, I think me and my mate not showing how hectic the situation was helped.

Then down through the canopy..

This canyon was shorter but deeper, with less greenery but a more foreboding feel to it..

The canyon opened up to one of the most incredible scenes I've witnessed, deep beneath 100m cliffs and with a further waterfall dropping off below us. The only issue is that we had to scale back up to our right to get out.

Celebratory beer before the climb..

Way out.. top right :o Notice the red rope middle-right of frame (below trees).

Looking another 40m below

And from the side

Working our way out..

The top

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Tuesday, 2 Mar 2021 at 8:51pm

Stunning!

Life- be in it.

Westofthelake's picture
Westofthelake's picture
Westofthelake Tuesday, 2 Mar 2021 at 8:57pm

Bugger surfing, I'm going canyoning!

simba's picture
simba's picture
simba Tuesday, 2 Mar 2021 at 8:59pm

yeah Craig awesome stuff mate...keep them coming

shoredump's picture
shoredump's picture
shoredump Tuesday, 2 Mar 2021 at 11:12pm

Wow looks hectic Craig. Canyoning is unreal isn’t it. These are from Blue Mountains 2016






It’s the only time I’ve done it but it’s right up there with one of the best days I’ve ever had

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Wednesday, 3 Mar 2021 at 6:32am

Isn't it Shorey! Wow that waterfall is a solid abesil as well. Great work!

I've seen photos for years of people doing it and always wanted to, but until you actually get down and into it there's no other experience like it.

It's truly other wordly and little would you know that these environments exist below the mountain ridges and tops.

Like being a kid again and pure adrenaline, stoke and wonder.

I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't done it. We did it ourselves as as a group we've got the equipment, knowledge and experience but I'd recommend going through a company as the route finding to get out etc as well as the rope work is quite involved.

And yeah when the surf isn't on WOTL, it's a perfect side hobby ;p

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GuySmiley Wednesday, 3 Mar 2021 at 9:52am

What a charmed life you lead Craig

Bnkref's picture
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Bnkref Wednesday, 3 Mar 2021 at 4:28pm

Unreal Craig. I was getting kicks just out of hiking in the Grampians recently. Your trip is next level.

Pops's picture
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Pops Wednesday, 3 Mar 2021 at 4:47pm

Nice shots as usual Craig.
I haven't been able to get out that way for a while now... cool to see the recovery, albeit slow.

Clivus Multrum's picture
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Clivus Multrum Wednesday, 3 Mar 2021 at 4:48pm

Sensational, Craig

I focus's picture
I focus's picture
I focus Wednesday, 3 Mar 2021 at 10:38pm

Stunning photos Craig (yours to shoredump)

Awesome locations.

Don't know about trusting ropes.

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Thursday, 4 Mar 2021 at 8:25am

Thanks crew and yeah Pops I'm glad we've had such a wet period since the fires, has helped the slow recovery. Would hate to have seen it if we had back to back scorching summers.

Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone Thursday, 4 Mar 2021 at 9:31am

Have you had a crack at “Draining” Craigosss. Definitely not as scenic but good fun nonetheless!!

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Thursday, 4 Mar 2021 at 9:38am

Nah I haven't though did get interested back in Adelaide when hearing of the Cave Clan etc and urban exploring. Sounds like good though much filthier fun.

Pops's picture
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Pops Thursday, 4 Mar 2021 at 9:53am

Craig, yeah I was worried that a lot of that area wasn't going to come back!