16/11/2024
Kylie, Jason, Matt, Jamelia, and me.
The “Gobsmacker” section of the North branch of Bowen creek is fun and spectacular.
And as a smaller day it was just the ticket.
And a steady hike back up to the hill. About 5hr car to car
They say a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing, but not one half as bad as a lot of ignorance.
27-10-2024
Meeeeeeee
Got my hands on a reasonable camera so di a quick solo through Dargan Creek to learn the ropes… or buttons or surfing
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. D Adams
31-08-2024
Dick, Kylie and meeeeeeeee
A long, long time ago… Well, not that long ago!
Ok it’s nearly 40years ago which sounds like a long time when I think about it but I was and young whippersnapper out on a Jeep trip with dad and his mates. Day 2 we visited a bloke by the name of Col Ribaux.
As well as being a fellow connoisseur of ex-millitary vehicles, 4wd drive enthusiast and diamond miner, Col was an all around top bloke, legendary character and, the “Guardian of the Mountain.”
After admiring the assortment of old Jeeps, trucks and tracked personnel carriers he fired up one of the old tanks and we followed him up the steep pass through the cliff line of what we knew as Airly but is more properly Airly Turret (Confusingly there is Mount Airly slightly to the West, then Airly gap, then a small bump call Airly Mountain then Airy Turret on the way up to Mount Genowlan (Not to be confused with Jenolan, different spellings of the same aboriginal word for high point/place).
After the steep drive up and a look around the mine we camped the night out at Genowlan Trig.
Col has since passed and the area with it’s plethora of Aboriginal and European heritage sites and stunning natural beauty has been taken over by National Parks and named, Mugii Murum-Ban after local elder Uncle Charlie Riley. Mugii being a type of owl and Murum-Ban being eldest sone.
While always a favourite spot in 4wd circles it’s a bit further from Sydney so hadn’t attracted the bushwalking crowds of the Blue Mountains. That’s changing as walking clubs and fellow bloggers discover just how magical the place is.
Anyhoo, in the ensuing years I’ve driven passed it a lot and even driven up Mount Airly a time or two but it was time for a return to Genowlan.
Kylie and I had scoped it out a couple of weeks prior on a day when she also flew over it with Capertee Valley Helicopters. Remembering the steepness of the road and the old rock steps I opted to park part way up and walk. Finding the road recently graded and, while still steeeeeeeeep we thought it easily doable in the triton.
And so we came back and Dick joined us.
Plan for the day was to have a look around the old mines, enjoys the views and check out some of the slots the walkers had cottoned on to.
First stop Ultimate Slot.
From where we parked I was expecting a bit of a scrub bash but
There a bit of a trail here, called Kylie
We follow a well defined trail for about 2mins and… BAM
After phaffing about for ages we head back to where we parked and head in on the other side of the road. In less than 20 steps from where we parked we were in the “Grotto”
Back to the cars and we head back up past the main diamond mines. Our next stop was Gnomes pass, AKA Ladders Defile. This is another slot/micro canyon that Col had set a series of Ladders in to make it easier for his kids to get through. He also added a bit of a fairy tail touch.
The old ladders make it easy to negotiate the slot which soon opens out to a amphitheatre that would make a great spot for a picnic.
We scramble up onto the pagodas and admire the views
We then continue out to soak in the views from Point Hatteras
And to round out a relaxing but rewarding day we poke around the old mine site
All up a nice soulful day exploring some of the more easily accessible sites and barely scratching the surface of what Mugii Murum-Ban has to offer.
Rough diamonds might sometimes be mistaken for worthless pebbles. T Brown.
22/06/2024
Dick, Vince, Russ, Kylie and meeeeeee
The predicted snow didn’t come our way and I was keen to do something short and sweet.
Wolgan Falls seemed a good option.
Kylie and I had been searching for rock art in Kia Ring Gai NP and it occurred to me I hadn’t shown her some of the more prominent stencils around here so we met Dick early at Maiyingu Marragu (Black Fellows Hands rock)
Maiyingu Marragu was a meeting place for Wiradjuri, Gandangara, Dharug and Dharkinjung people. It was also an occupation site with a mens area, Women’s are and a special birthing place. Exisiting art layers are upto 1600 years old.
There are other art sites in the area but Maiyingu Marragu is the easiest to get to and one of the more impressive with over 50 motifs.
We take our time soaking in the ambiance then head back to the cars to meet Russ and Vince before heading up the hill.
I definitely didn’t take them down a wrong fire trail, twice… Shuddup
The trail in is reasonable and it doesn’t take us long to get to the views over the spectacular upper Wolgan gorge.
A couple of dry abseils gets us down to the shelf above the falls.
It is an awe inspiring place to be.
I sign the log book and, again we spend some time soaking in the special space
And then we rig the main drop.
Myself, Kylie and Dick are going to take the main drop in one 55M+ abseil down a wet line in the side flow. While Vince a Russ opt for the usual 2 stage dry line.
And then it was back up the hill.
Back at the cars it was still early so we headed off over the plateau to some other gems.
and we finish the day and get home just before the weather breaks.
What is clocks? Philomena Cunk.
Past trips to Wolgan Falls
8-06-2023
Millie, Kylie, Jason, Vince, Russ, Libby, Russ, Brooke and meeeeeeee
Any one canyoning on Sunday. Asks Brooke
Not Sunday but we’ll be doing something Saturday says I
W’re taking Millie to the Glowworm Tunnel says Russ, We might stop by the Dry canyon but if you are doing anything in the afternoon we’d be keen.
So we pretty much invited ourselves on their trip.
First stop the Dry Canyon, AKA Wolgan View or Nobles Canyon.
Ans then we head off to find some honeycomb.
The facilities at the Glowworm tunnel has undergone an upgrade and the road it the best I’ve ever seen it so it was to be expected that the car park would be chokas on a long week immediately after reopenning.
But we found a park, grabbed the packs and skipped up the hill
Millies new bed room. She is quite impressed with it
Post 2019 fire scrub has grown back hard!
So much so we couldn’t see the canyon until we were right on it
Honeycomb is a pretty little pagoda canyon. Adventurous, with trick abseil starts but nothing overly awesome
https://youtube.com/shorts/RlLDH6pNnw8?si=pOUmBjEUgNNzyD7U
We are all worms, but I do believe that I am a glow–worm: W Churchill
18-05-2024
Gadget and meeeeeeseeee
Go Go Gadget had been in a moon boot with a broken foot for the last six weeks and now she was out we thought we’d ease back into it.
Or sumfink
We’d thrown around a few options and settled on Serendipity canyon at Mt Wilson. But, um well, Unpopular opinion: I’ve never been a big fan of Serendipity. Just always thought it was overrated. Gadgets wasn’t a fan either.
So we changed plans last minute and headed to a little one off the Bells Line that neither of us had visited before.
Named after an elaborate pot plantation in the head waters that got busted in the 90s I had not given too much thought to Marihuana Canyon before and had low expectations but it was something new so why not.
Scrub bashing down we avoid the upper cliff lines but get to the lower cliff and decide to rope up.
And we shall never speak about the tiny shrubs we used for anchors ever again.
As I use to joke with my old mate Della, if it’s wider than your thumb it’s ok. We never did clarify if you held your thumb vertical or horizontal.
Anyhoo
We enter the creek a little high (see what I did there.)
And before long it drops into a stunning little canyon.
We work our way upstream through some very nice canyon section.
TBH it was hard work making our way upstream so we got to our exit and hauled out.
He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it: D Adam’s
05/05/2024
Russ, Brook, Aimee, Jason, Madie, Leo and me
Yileen?
Why not.
Yileen is pretty after a bit of rain so today should be schaaaaaweeeet.
Plans were made and oddly not changed.
To be honest the water wasn’t too cold. Autumn is as warm as canyon water gets.
It was warmer in the canyon than on the ridge top walk in
And then we skipped back up the hill and caught up with Jen, Libby and Millie at the pub.
“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.”
– Aristotle
30-03-2024
Hywaida, Kris, Kylie and meeeeeeee
Oh and a handy cameo from Muz
It’s late March in the Australian Alps. Why am I roasting ?
Gather around, grab a seat and get comfortable kids. I’ve got a tale to tell.
I’m sat in the patchy shade of a patchy shade bush waiting my turn as the sun beats down and reflects back up off the granite.
The guide wasn’t overly clear on exactly where the top anchor was but the others were confident they had the right spot.
Me? Not so much. I’d been nervous as shit about this one for some reason.
The guide said there were a multitude of bolts to choose from but the ones set further back with captive rings were the better option.
Problem was I could only see 2 sets and the ones further back didn’t have captive rings. And we weren’t really on a rounded boulder and, I was second guessing stuff.
Just let me have a look around.
So I’d soaked up time looking a long the cliff edge then in the creek on the ledge below. Nothing.
We’d all donned our full wetsuits earlier. Did I mention it was hot?
It was hot.
Kris dunked himself in the creek to cool down while I was stuffing around. Kylie waded in to do the same.
We headed back up and decided to check the anchor closer to the edge as we figured at least that didn’t drop straight onto the ledge and U bolts are closer to rings than the bolt hangers on the other ones.
I’d stuffed everyone around and wasted time.
I set up on anchor duties. P1 is supposed to be 38m to a semi hanging belay. Because I’m not 100% sure we are at the right anchor I let out 50m so Kris has a factor of safety and over he goes.
Muz slips across to a lookout to take photos and is prefectly located to keep us informed of what’s happening on the face
Time elapses.
He’s coming back up. Calls Muz
Kris regains the ledge 10m below.
I could see the P3 anchors just below me but they were way over to canyon left and I could not traverse that far. Calls he.
Weird. P3 anchor was suppose to be another 35m below the P2 anchor. I still had 15m of my 64m rope in my bag.
I saw the bolts for P2 on the way up. Says He
He has done an amazing job and now he is safely back on the large ledge I had walked out to earlier (I’m guessing in high water like they had when pioneering the canyon that would not be an option) he directs me to reset on the other bolts. I add some maillons to the hangers and Kylie resets the rope.
It’s a little known fact that maillons were invented is 1673 by a Frenchman called Louis D’Nutter. The same guy who invented the bicycle derailleur. No one really knows how to pronounce either one but we all attempt to sound French as we try.
I digress, We’ve been in the wetsuits in the heat for about 1.5hrs by now
Did I mention it was hot?
It was hot.
Damn hot.
Fry an egg on your helmet hot.
Hywaida takes the 80m rope and goes next. There’s not much room at the rebelay so Kris has P2 set. She will get to him then continue down to set up P3.
Kylie will then go and skip past both and we’ll regroup at the bottom of the 80m P3.
At least that’s the plan.
I find a patchy shade bush to sit under as the sun beats down and reflects up the granite as I wait my turn. But I’d already told you that bit.
Muz calls that Kylie is clear of P1. I rig the pull cord, drop on down to Kris and we pull the rope.
I take a 40 leaving Kris with the 60.
Is Kylie passed the anchor? Calls I
No they are still sorting it out. Calls Muz. who is now adding in all the correct hand signals.
Two whistle blasts come up. I start down. Muz tells me to stop.
I whip the camera out
Kylie calls me down
Hywaida is starting to struggle in the heat. She hadn’t taken a dip to cool off and it was damn hot.
I reach the small ledge they are setting up on and noticed they are clipped to a single bolt which didn’t leave a lot of room for PASs and rope.
Kylie is tipping water over H’s head to cool her down
This isn’t the right anchor
The guide doesn’t mention the single bolt at all but Kylie had more detailed notes from a friend and we remember them saying to ignore the single bolt halfway down P2.
We get the the 80m set up and we discuss a game plan. Kylie is going to stay with Hywaida to get some water into her and cool her down. I’m going to head down on the 80, if I find another anchor within the next 20m I’ll secure myself and I’ll blow 3 whistles. that means to lower the 80m to me and reset using a 40m
If I don’t find any rebelay bolts but make it to the bottom it’s two whistles as normal. come down on the 80.
I head on down looking for more bolts but I ain’t see shit.
Well, except for the end of my rope about 10m above the bottom of the drop.
Halfway down I’d finally entered the flow. It was deliciously cool but now I’m a little worried about people needing to pass a knot right where the flow funnels in to smack you in the face.
Luckily there was a convenient, albeit tiny, alcove with a 30x30cm ledge right where I needed it.
I join my 40m rope on and continue down.
Hywaida comes next.
Oi! Calls I. You need to pass a knot.
What, calls she.
A Knot! calls I
I can’t hear what you are saying!
She tries to continue
There’s a Knot! calls she as she finally sees it she does what’s needed and continues down
Kylie comes next.
Oi! Calls I. You need to pass a knot.
What, calls she
A knot! Calls me and Hywaida
I can’t hear what you are saying!
She tries to continue
There’s a knot! Calls she. And does what needs doing to continue down.
Kris comes next
Oi! Calls I… you can probably see where this is going.
He gets off on a larger ledge and scrambles down not needing to pass the knot.
Ok so I can see how this would be a major test piece in the flows they had during the La Niña years when they were establishing it and writing the guide but at 1.2Ml so far it’s just been abseiling down a (high) waterfall for the sake of abseiling down a (high) waterfall.
From here though the abseils get a little more interesting and funner.
In high flow accessing the anchors would be scary as a really scary thing.
We’d been warned about the terrifying false bottoms and syphons and stuff but at this water level it was an easy traverse to the next anchor across a solidly wedged boulder choke
Next up is the superhero anchors.
Apparently boulder has moved. The bolts were originally set high but now they are so high and reachy I wouldn’t be able to reach them and I have quite a reachy reach.
Lucky Kris has his panic draw, which only just reaches. He then has to use that to pull himself up and out to clip in. Once again he saves the day.
TBH I think you’d be better combining this drop off the previous anchor. It looks like it would be a clean pull down anyway.
And all that’s left now is to boulder hop down stream to find the exit.
We scramble on down and spot a small cairn but to the right of it the climb looks horrendous and the guide says large cairn and we have a trace off ropewiki that says the exit is still further down stream
We press on to where the trace says the exit should be. There’s no cairn but a slight weakness in the vegetation in the first real side gully we’ve seen so we start up. It gets steeper and sketchier and shittier the higher we go.
We decide to bail and Kris heads back upstream to double check for a cairn we may have missed.
He finds it so eventually we start up the trail.
It goes
It goes
It just goes and goes and goes.
Up. traverse a bit. Haul up a handline. descend a gully. Up again etcetera etcetera etcetera.
Type 2 Fun.
Crystal Brook is a big undertaking even at low flow, but a solid team brings the dream.
I think I made a better boy than I do a man, I admitted ruefully to the wolf. R Hobb.
09/03/2024
Gadget, Vince and meeeee
It’s been a spell since I’d done a big scrub bash on a djinn’s whim of finding a questionable canyon and, TBH I had a tip off that we would find canyons in our chosen creeks
But you never know until you go.
We use to drive out here for a picnic over looking the Wolgan. Even a few years ago it was a reasonable (if legally questionable ) ride on the mountain bikes. Post 2019 fires regrowth is hectic.
Even since we did surefire late last year the scrub has engulfed more of the trail.
Anyhoo that was not going to deter us and we head out in good spirits.
There was a bit of debate about where to set up camp. Closer to our destination would give quicker access to the canyons in the morning but that meant lugging the camp gear further
Not wanting to carry a full tent we banked on it not raining and spread out under the stars.
Magical
I didn’t even feel the factor 3 earth quake that was conjured up and rumbled through the Bluies sometime that evening
Did you feel it? Asks Vince the next morning.
Nope, says I. I was dead to the world
We leave the camp gear and make our way further along the ridge before dropping into our first target.
We weren’t expecting much. unpublished “wilderness” canyons along this part of the Wolgan can be hit and miss but generally aren’t renown for high quality. (The high quality ones mostly found their way into the guidebook)
We descend the upper cliffs without it really. Canyoning up and then it opens out again
Have we missed it? Asks Gadget. We’re not that far from the junction.
We are expecting the junction to be where the canyon ends.
We continue down.
And then
Kylie summons up the courage. Turns out it was smelly and deep enough.
The creek finally canyons up and begins to plummet through the lower cliff line
The abseils all have tricky starts. getting over the edge without getting jammed is a bit of a black art but we all got through.
It was an interesting little canyon dropping steeply through several ledges of various widths.
Ok first goal achievements . A quick look about and now to break a pass back up through the cliff and check out its neighbour.
We knew the adjoining creek also had a canyon in it and seeing as all the interesting bits of the first one were in the lower cliff line we traversed around and dropped into our next one.
After the second scrubby abseil we realise we are 1 short abseil above the junction where our first canyon finished.
Disappointment
We ascend up the previous drop then scramble out a convenient side gully.
There was chatter about checking the upper section out as it is rumoured to hold cool abseils.
But open scrubby creek greets us as we make our way up stream. We gain the ridge and continue up, keeping an eye on our gully just in case it drops through a slot but there’s nothing of note below the top cliff line.
Another easy pass yields us the ridge top
And thus back to camp and homeward bound.
It was a longish walk out for 2 short canyons. But I still get a kick out of exploring little canyons few others bother wit h. These ones would be doable in a day with a fit, efficient group but camping out was half the appeal. Plus there is other stuff out here that’s worth a look
When you’re dead you’re dead. Guy Martin
sleepwhenwearedead 