Coffs Harbour – sleepwhenwearedead

31/12/2023

Kylie, Jason, Vince and meeeeeee

It might sound like a tacky German porno from the 80s but Bangalore is a fun canyon/wet abseil trip.

TBH I wasn’t sure what to expect as I had heard it described as more creek than canyon and after yesterdays slip’n’slidefest in Urumbilum we were a little battered.

Once again the forecasts was for rain and severe afternoon storms but the river gauge was still sitting at around a modest 30Ml range and we knew it was more open terrain.

With Jason and Vince carrying the ropes and sharing anchor duties I got to play tourist and take a metric crap load of (mostly bad) photos.

I’m not sure where the creek walking rep came from as you are pretty much straight into it after hitting the creek.

Despite the creek being more open the abseils are in some nice flow. And at these water flows they were pretty chill.

And once again the sunshine defied the forecasts

I always thought the blessed by good luck saying was “hit up the bum by a rainbow” but apparently smacked in the face by a waterfallbow works too.

For an “open creek” it had some nice canyony bits.

The stench at the out flow of this one was spew worthy. Something very dead but yet not dead enough was caught in the log jam.

No drinking the creek water today.

Kylie into the cave

And out the other side 🎥©️Jason

Then we come to the one that contains the log you can squeeze behind but poses a big risk in high flow.

There’s a line of traverse bolts we decide to check out. Vince has never set a traverse before so of course we send him first (we did talk him through it)

Jason is shaking his head.

We normally just sling off that tree over there. Says he

And he has a fair point. The traverse is a bit of dicking around when the tree is far easier and safer to get to and (looking back from the bottom of the drop) gives a far better line anyway.

Moral to the story: Don’t just blindly follow the bolts kids. Sometimes there are better options.

Anyhoo it gave us a bit of practice on a traverse in a non threatening environment.

Vince and Jason at the anchor at the end of the kinda pointless traverse. The low flow line goes behind the log. The tree anchor comes down a much nice line just out of shot to the left (canyon right) and you can walk to it out of the flow easily

There’s an option to exit here. We opt to keep going as it’s a bit of fun

A short creek walk gets us to the next bit

Another odd traverse bolt to get out to a weirdly placed anchor. Jason bemoans the original bolt placement on the other side of the creek had been removed.

The new anchor appears to be for better pulldown but Jason says the other had no issues and was a funner line. 🤷🏻

And just like that we are at the Jade Pool and our exit. There is 1 more optional drop we could do but as you just go down to come back up we decide to skip it and head out.

The track up is steep but a hell of a lot easier than falling over 2.5km of slippery river rocks.

If Rosewood is the Empress of the north. Bangalore is their Dione Dell (minus dry line options.)

Mr. Burns : You must find the Jade Monkey before the next full moon.

Smithers : Actually, sir, we found the Jade Monkey. It was in your glove compartment.

BACK

30/12/2023

Vince, Jason, Kylie and meeeeeeeeee

This cyclone might thwart out plans.

What cyclone?

Jasper.

Jasper has smashed far north QLD and the resulting weather systems are peppering the east coast with heavy rain events.

We keep an eye on the river gauges but the ones we are interested in are staying low.

A big storm rolled through the afternoon before and it seemed to rain steadily all night. The river gauge had gone up fractionally.

Drizzly rain was predicted all day with afternoon storms.

Jasons has done it before at batshit silly high flow so at the current water levels we knew had plenty of room to move and opted for an early start to get through the more committing sections before the afternoon storms.

We park the car, suit up and we are into the creek in good spirits. The drizzle has lifted and the sun is out. The rocks are slippery as a well oiled hag fish.

It was my first time meeting Vince in person but he slotted straight in to the group dynamic.

We get to the first drop. Setting up the rope I somehow ended up with an overhand knot around the anchor. I shrug at Vince. I’m really good at this canyoning caper, honest. says I

Luckily he laughs.

Jason getting ready to descend into the devilish slot. The water might be lowish but the excitement levels are high

The top bit of Urumbilum is spectacular and at these water levels it’s fun without being overly spicy.

A couple of the abseils reminded me of Danae but overall it had more of a more Kalang on the wet line in high water feel.

Vince and Kylie down below. It was suppose to rain all day. I’m getting sun burnt

Then comes a section of creek walking.

Did I mention it was as slippery ?

Slipperier than a greased pig on an ice rink.

The creek walking bit sucked fetid arse.

But then came the next bit.

Last slot was schaaaa weeeeet. Would be epic in high flow 📸©️Jason.

And now we just need to walk down the creek. How goods this we think. A down hill exit to the car shuffle….

Did I mention how slippery it was ?

It was slipperier than the worlds slipperiest thing winning first place at the world slippery championships.

Never have I fallen over so much walking down a creek.

Fun times.

practice your flow state by getting into some dangerous positions: Andy Anderson

BACK

	Popeye Canyon Lower… on Popeye canyon, upper
	Popeye Canyon Lower… on Banks
	Hole In the Wall… on Banks
	Banks – sleepw… on Nose Dive
	Banks – sleepw… on Hole in the Wall and Banks…