9-01-2020
Laurence, Chris, Tal, Della, Gabby, Ev, Matt, Adrian and meee
The bushfires that raged across much of Australia threw a spanner in the work of a family holiday to the south coast so some last minute phone calls were made to me old mate Della who generously offered us a couple of beds on the central coast, I threw the ropes in just in case
Laurence had been promoting some abseil trips to sea caves that looked quite alright and while under normal circumstances I probably wouldn’t have driven up just to visit them while I was in the area I thought why not drag Tal out of a mini adventure.
A quick message to Laurence to get some info and tips and he offered to meet us there and show us around.
Hey Dell, can you get Thursday off work?
It’d been about 20years since he’d done any abseiling but he was keen. A few other invites were sent out and before we knew it we had met up with the above mentioned folk and were setting up ropes above our first cave. The Nudie cave
We set ropes, and exit ladder and Matt even jumps in at the exit to test the water, then after a few quick tips and reminders me and Dell get on rope and drop on in
.
Dropping off the end of the rope we swim into the cave and wait for the others
As he was finding his feet on the beach the only wave we saw all week swept up to smash Adrian face first into the pebbles. We shouldn’t have laughed… but we did
And then we swim out and make use of Laurences cave ladder to climb out of the water
Be a cool jump. Say I. Looking back up to the arch
Oh Coop jumps from that platform there, Says Laurence
And then we make our way around to the next one, Pinney Cave. This is just a dunk in the ocean with a bit of a scramble out. By all reports the scramble out is much harder in normal conditions and out right dangerous if the swell is much over a foot. We must have got very lucky with not much swell at all as I found it much easier
But with Laurence’s warning only myself, Matt and Della decided to give it a crack, with Gabby and Ev opting for a dry landing on the exit route and the rest waiting for us up top.
And then we make our way a bit further along the coast to the Shark Hole. An ominous name for us country bunkins.
Actually this is the snake hole, explains Chris. The Shark hole is where u swim out.
Oh, well then. In we go.
And to finish things off we head to the Catho Bay hotel for a cooling beverage or two
Group Size: 9
Time: I have no idea
Caution: You need low tide and a swell of under 2 feet to run this trip the way we did it. Also the rock is sharp as a finely honed cutty thing so rope protectors and good start technique are a must.
Adventure pushes your limits and lifts your soul or sumfink
31-12-19
Madie and meee
I’d strained a tendon in my arm so hadn’t climbed for ages but with 99.99% of canyons closed due to the devastating bush fires that are raging across the country I was going a bit stir crazy.
I text The Mad One to see what she was up to over new years.
Want to go climbing now?
It’s like 6pm Monday afternoon. Sure
There’s an easy climb at Mt Boyce that I use to really enjoy that she hadn’t done yet so we decide to go give it a crack.
A quick look at the guide. You need bolt plates she says.
I have plates.
Cool.
We meet at the car park. a quick check of the guide and we drive around to the new car park…. It’d been 20+ years since I’d climbed this one.
So we abseil in, and leave a rope in place. Good call
and head around to the start of the climb.
I can’t see many bolts, says she
I remember it being run out, say I
And up she goes to clip the first bolt 6 or 7 meters off the ground.
Um, Flynny. I can’t see any bolts above me.
I lock her off while she pulls out her phone to check the online guide .
Um this is a mixed route….
We didn’t pack any trad gear. Ooops
A delicate retreat was made and by the time we ascend our abseil line it’s dark… Bugger! shall we try something again tomorrow?
It’s New Years Eve and we skived off work early to see if we could find somewhere open.
Pulling into the car park we step out of the car… holy crap it’s hot.
Wanna do a quick run through Empress to cool off first?
Yep.
Changing plans is what we do the best
Back in the car and out to the conservation hut
Back at the car we check online to see what crags are open then head off for the classic Sweet Dreams. A climb I’ve never done before
I totally sooked it and “let” Madie lead every pitch but I thoroughly enjoyed the climb,
Cheers 2019. you have been eventful.
Here’s to 2020
sleepwhenwearedead 