mountains

Morong Falls

| flynny101

13-12-2025

Kent, Pete, Joel, Tam, Cotter, David and meeeeee

I’m walking out of Butterbox and I get a missed call from Kent

I hadn’t heard from him for a while so called back straight away in case something was wrong.

Nothing is wrong he’s just been thinking about an abseil trip in one of his favourite places at Kanangra Boyd.

And so a trip down Morong falls is set up

Morong falls is a bit like big brother of Box Creek Falls.

But Having a much larger catchment it can be a disappointing trickle or a wall of white water death.

We got it almost perfect.

We meet up and waste no time walking to the end of the fire trail and making our way down to the upper falls.

We bypass the first cascade and its inviting plunge pool.

Kent leads us pass an anchor set mid river left to find another just to the left of the main flow.

All abseils except the big one have easy escape routes back to the exit trail so you can pretty much choose your own adventure with doing a part or the whole.

Our first 3 slabby abseils are between 8 and 15m high. They are a bit of fun and nothing technical.

It’s a beautiful series of falls interspaced with plunge pools

Joel and I have the long ropes and get sent ahead to set the big drop.

From Kent’s description I’m nervously looking for a narrow ledge I need to traverse across which may or may not be slippery.

I’m standing on the edge of a wide slopping platform with heaps of grip looking for something below.

Bolts are behind you. Says Joel

I look at the wall behind me.

On the ground.says Joel.

Oh

I know this particular drop was pioneered by members of one of the caving clubs a few years ago.

2 odd looking bolts are set on the ground 7 or 8m back from the edge. 1 is a 8mm cap screw. The other a type I’ve not seen before….

A nice shiney new glue in has been added and all 3 equalised using D shackles.

We set up and Joel leads the way down. We have about 76m of rope out and by the time he gets to the next big ledge and traverses across to the rebelay there is maybe 3m of tail left.

As Kent heads down the rope snags behind a nub of rock which gets dislodged as he traverses at the bottom. He calls up a warning over the two way.

Dave about to descend

The rest of us get down no drama but Kent is reluctant to pull rope from directly below.

Joel devises a plan which will allow us to descend the next 12m abseil on a biner block, tie the pull cord for the previous ropes to the biner and pull rope from both pitches together from a safe spot on the far side of the plunge pool

We all head down. Most swim across the pool. Joel does a nice traverse climb to avoid the swim.

Pete follows Joel but does not avoid the swim…

I stay dry, just

The main falls. Around 90m

We start to pull and the system works perfectly

1 rope down.

2 two ropes down

3rd rope clears the anchor the end tumbles down and lands in a ledge. I start to pull.

It comes.

It comes .

It does not come.

Joel and I spend a bit of time trying different angles and stuff and it’s stuck good and proper on the only ledge not accessible from the exit track.

Next time we think we’d set this drop, leave the rope there and collect it on the way out. Not only would it avoid a stuck rope but it would avoid the need for 2 x 76m+ ropes and carrying it out the bottom half of the exit.

Joel looking further down as storm clouds begin to roll in.
Kent on the next one which passes under big boulder halfway down
Looking back up the main series of drop. Can you spot Dave, Cotter and Joel?

Finally we get to the wetter part of the trip. We are not quite 3/4 of the way down, still 150m or so above the Kowmung.

Below a series of falls and plunge pools

Above thou, the sky is cranky.

Dark clouds, thunder and a spattering of rain.

Big storms were predicted for later in the day. It looks like they arrived early. Standing on exposed granite in a lightning storm probably isn’t the best idea so we opt to abort the trip and scramble out to the exit track.

The storm doesn’t really hit in full, thou I later learn it hit the mountain with a good smash of hail. While disappointed not to complete the trip to the bottom we are comfortable with the call.

Besides, it gives us a good excuse to comeback and finish the journey.

“A river cuts through a rock, not because of its power but because of its persistence.” – Jim Watkins

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Popeye canyon, upper

| flynny101

02/11/2025

Gadget, Jason and, me.

Popeye creek pops in and out of canyon sections along much of its course and it’s one I’d not done before.

A big Saturday trip had been foiled by thunderstorms and we just needed to shake out the cobwebs but couldn’t be arsed repacking ropes and stuff so thought why not have a look at some non abseil sections in Popeye.

Meeting at the crack of 10am, or there abouts we make our way in in no time.

We’d be entering the canyon a long way upstream of where the jamieson guide recommends but not too far from the increasingly popular Popeye falls.

The creek cuts a deep, promising looking cleft in the sandstone.

A short section of narrow u bends hide a pleasant little canyon.

There’s a bit of bridging to stay dry above the knees. But the water is a pleasant temp anyway

Not the figure 8 pool
It is very pretty.
Parts very similar to the Dumbano tunnels.

We are already impressed. the canyon opens up a bit and Waratahs line the banks.

Waratahs along a spur off Waratah ridge? Who would have thunk it

And soon we come to the falls.

Most visitors to here avoid the canyon bit and keep their feet dry by scrambling down the nose.

It’s a funky little waterfall through an arch in a side creek

We phaff about with photos for a bit, we have to pool all to ourselves., but then push on downstream to the next canyon section.

A bit wider and deeper it’s a nice walk through section
It’s nice

Again the canyon opens out. We believe it’s a 1km scrub bash down to the next bit so, happy with our easy day, we retrace our steps back up to the waterfall. A crowd of people are here now.

There’s an easier way in, says old mate sucking in a vape.

We came that way, replies Ellie very politely. We just had a look at some other stuff while out here.

We leave the guards and scramble out into the cliff top for lunch.

It’s a beautiful day.

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Wild Swimming in the Wollemi

| flynny101

16-05-2025

Kylie and meeeeeeeee

Our weekend plans had fallen through so we thought we’d go in search of some waterfalls neither of us had been to before.

Kylie suggested a spot and during research got a tip off that the fire trail out to them had recently been gated.

So we put the mountain bikes in to help eat up the kilometres.

Not only are the swimming holes spectacular this could now be my favourite fire trail ride (Did I just say that? what have I become?) I have a feeling the guy who did the road work is a mountain biker. Each waterbar seemed to be a perfectly shaped step down. Even though recovering from a shoulder injury meant I couldn’t take to the air it was still a blast.

Anyhoo, that’s not what we are here for.

20min later we are stashing the bikes in the bush and heading down a steep trail cutting through subtropical rainforest quiet different from anything you usually see in the upper mountains..

This brings us to a pleasant creek and we head downstream.

the stunning cliff lines close in ©Kylie

And we reach the top of our first waterfall

It really is breath taking
stunning

We play around here for a bit then continue down stream.

At the junction with the next creek is another spectacular pool.

It’s a beauty

We slip up to a large rock shelf above the falls to find a bit of sunshine.

The shelf was riddled with keeper holes. ©Kylie
beautiful

We have some lunch and a splash then make our way out.

The Haul up the hill is steep but interesting enough that I wasn’t in a world of suffering. And while I thought the ride back to the car might be tough it was just as much fun as it was coming in, with some pinches to keep you honest.

On the way back we spy some interesting mushrooms.

So of course we had to head back in the dark to see if they still had a shine.

It was faint, barely able to be made out with naked eye but some long exposures brought up their beauty.

Click to enbiggen

Ghost Mushrooms produce bioluminescence for around 22hrs a day. And for 14 of those hours you would think they are just another mushroom. People are like ghost mushrooms, if you can’t see their glow you are looking at them in the wrong light: C Flynn

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A grand way to juggle back into it.

| flynny101

08/03/2025

Gadget, Darcy, Charity, Jess, and meeeeeee

Maddy A was organising an introductory canyon trip for her friends and a couple of the 9D staff were coming up for it.

And, missing her former work mates Kylie was super keen to catch up with them.

Do you think you’ll be up for it? Asks she.

I’d been recovering for collar bone surgery and was recently free from the sling.

What are they doing?

Juggler

Hmm. I reckon I could handle Grand.

She is equal parts excited and cautious for me.

We meet Darcy and head to the car park.

There is a girl parking a very nice looking car a bit of a walk out.

We offer her a lift. Turns out she is Jess, a friend of Maddy’s who ends up joining us.

There’s a big group assembling.

Maddy gathers us in. We are splitting into 2 groups. Beginners will be with her

More experienced or those wanting to do Grand as well are with Kylie.

That’s Darcy, Jess and Chasity.

At the last minute I decide to join them in juggler as well

It was so good to be moving through nature with this amazing soul again.
Juggler can be a fun little trip
J

We are through juggler fairly quick and head for Grand. Charity has to get back to the big smoke so bids us good bye. The rest of us skip on

Kylie dropping to the slot
It’s a great little abseil into a very pretty slot
Just Jesting, Wild Elly, Darcy Dooley, and meeeeee
It was lovely moody light

We take our time descending the canyon and enjoying the company.

It was an awesome way to easy back into adventure life.

Grateful.

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Lower North Bowen

| flynny101

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.

Matt psyked

Woot
A little rain through the week had the water flowing nicely
Misty day made great light
You can see why it’s described as a mini Claustral
Fernilicious

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.

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Malaita Point

| flynny101

20-04-2024

Ethan, Dick, Sonya, Aimee, Vince, Ed, Jen, Madie , Leo and Meeeeeeeeee

With cameos from Kylie, Hywaida and Kris.

Both Ethan and Dick had recently turned old(er).

What better way to celebrate than a post apocalyptic sci fi surviver trip?

Fittingly an eerie, dry mist blanketed the mountains as our gang of rabble rousers gathered.

This whole town is infested with killer cockroaches. I repeat: KILLER COCKROACHES!
Life clocks are a lie! Carousel is a lie! THERE IS NO RENEWAL!
6:12
Choice. The problem is choice
It’s a mad house! A mad house!
Shes the Last of the v8 interceptors
SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!
Multipass!!!
The future is not set, there is no fate but what we make for ourselves.
Lords of light!
Had I been informed of the impending apocalypse, I’da stocked up
M-O-O-N, that spells moon.
Ariel! Ookla! Ride!
We Have Come Here To Chew Bubblegum And Kick Arse, And We’re All Out Of Bubblegum

And that’s all I’m going to say on that.

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Water Dragon

| flynny101

17-02-2024

Gadget and meeeeeeeeee

We were looking for a quick and easy one for a lazy weekend and Kylie hadn’t done Water Dragon, A.K.A Kelvinator , before so we thought why not.

It’s been a while since I’d done it so we double check the notes and as usual Ozultimate is spot on with up to date track notes and condition reports.

We stroll down to the Gambie and skip up the other side.

It starts nice enough
Gadget dropping in
I’d forgotten how the colours pop in the top section
©️Kylie.

©️Kylie
Kylie on the main drop
It’s a nice place to be on a hot day.
Gadget entering the dark section
You know I sang the glowworm song. if you are not singing now I’m not sure we can be friends.

This section is accessible without abseiling by scrambling up from the Wollangambe .

Even after it opens out it’s pretty
Yours truly scrambling down the lower section ©️Kylie

It’s then a pleasant swim down the ‘Gambie for a long lunch at the exit before making our way back to the car.

And a quick stop at Winnie’s rock to admire the storm rolling over the Wollangambe Wilderness.

I think I made a better boy than I do a man, I admitted ruefully to the wolf.- Fitz to Nighteyes. Robin Hobb.

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Flynny’s freaky fiftieth

| flynny101

09/11/2024

Lots of truly awesome people and meeeeeeeee

Talking about dragging out your birthday.

This was suppose to happen before Christmas but a big rain event had NP jumping at shadows and closing things down.

Even though it stayed dry for the next 4days the parks were still closed and we had to postpone.

Until now.

Yeah baby

First up pizza and beerios at Evans lookout.

Oh, and as a 70s child a 70s theme seemed to make sense.

These lads
They really are a legendary bunch of humans

After posing and yakking and general shenanigans we make our way down the Grand Canyon trail under a setting sun and drop into the slot to say g’day to the glowworms.

I always forget the walkin/walkout to canyon ratio for Grand blows but it is a pretty little slot in any light
Night canyoning is a different experience
Space girl
Traversing under worms.
Dick glows as much as any worm

I really am lucky to be surrounded by amazing people and it was a great night.

And backing it up the next morning with a trip through Twister and Rocky Creek was a great idea

Entering the maw
It’s hard to describe just how much I love rocky creek.

How could the weekend get any better?

I’m glad you asked

Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. And scratch where it itches. A Roosevelt Longworth

BACK oh and once again I’m raising money fir the Westpak Rescue Helicopter so please consider a donation

https://events.rescuehelicopter.com.au/fundraisers/craigflynn4470/ride-to-fly-mtb?ref=ch_3OgHr5GahKCZcNZi01MSVvC3&fbclid=IwAR2HpMIMIPLSkYgjQ7914vsMgaoxePzKQX7JlmQIhV9Et_3eczfOn_x9eNY_aem_AdSnFIOmbhqGmIM7rXWREq3CfjoW0zgMe_wylqWDRkL6vk7rLPlk96xlzNEUPCg85x0

Claustral capers

| flynny101

03/02/2024

Leo, Madie, Brook, Achi, Toni and meeeeeeeee

Cruisey social trudge through Claustral?

Sounds ace.

In the spirit of cruisey we push that start time 30min later..

That might have been a mistake. As I role up the mountain it seems like every second car in NSW is trying to get a car park at the trail head.

Are you with them? Asks old mate pointing at a large group as I step out of my car.

Not me.

Come on boys let’s get going. Says he. Oh which way is it?

I point old mate and his 2 sons(?) in the general direction.

I notice Leo T marshalling the aforementioned group. That’s a relief. A commercially guided group that all bought their own cars making it seem like it’s a bigger group than it is. I know Leo is efficient and quick with his groups so not too fussed there .

Another group jumps out of their car and heads off to beat the rush.

Madie and Leo arrive and introduce another two of the people milling around. Achi and Toni are with us. Excellent.

Everyone ready to go? let’s get going before anyone else shows up. Says they

Um we aren’t due to meet for another 10 mins and Brook’s not here yet. Says I

Bugger say they.

Another group of 4 arrive. Leo knows them from rescue they banter about getting the jump on us and head off.

Brook arrives. Ok let’s go.

A quick walk becomes a slow jog becomes “keep up!”

Oi! I was promised a cruisey social trip.

By the time we get to the wetsuit change spot we’ve over taken all the groups who started before us.

As I always say, it’s not a competition. Unless you are winning, and right now we are winning.

Winning

Ok get changed and get into it. We’ll slow down when we get to the abseils.

Thank fugg for that.

The “black hole”
Overcast day meant sunbeams were unlikely but oh the ohm-bi-aunce

Obligatory Hulks fist photo
Obligatory Pride Rock silhouette photo ©️ Maddy
©️Maddy‘s boot
Doop da do

Still winning we make our way down the canyon and because half of us haven’t been here before we take the detour up Thunder canyon as well.

I mean, why wouldn’t ya?

We enjoy the 2 glowworm caves then make our way back to the junction and then down to the exit.

©️Maddy

Despite the three thousand two hundred and forty eight cars at the car park we haven’t seen any one in the canyon since one of the groups got to the top of the first abseil just as our last member was roping up.

We figure most of them would have leapfrogged us while we were in Thunder but we catch back up to the group of 4 at the exit and have a chat while we dry off and have a bite to eat and it appears no one else is in front of them.

then it’s up, up and up.

There’s still a gazillion cars at the car park

And while winning is winning, my legs don’t work anymore.

we farewell Achi and Toni then head for a well earned beerio

Part size 6

Time 5.5hr car to car mixed pace.

When you’re dead, you’re dead. Guy Martin

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