21/03/2025
Kylie, Jason, Vince, Darcy, Rakesh,Tanya and me
Twister and Rocky Creek at night is pretty special
We are all but worms, but I believe I am a glowworm: W churchill
Rocky Creek Glow worms
rocky creek
Flynny’s freaky fiftieth
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.
First up pizza and beerios at Evans lookout.
Oh, and as a 70s child a 70s theme seemed to make sense.
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 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
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
Surefire Saturday
14-10-2023
Jason, Kris, Hywaida, Kylie and me
It’s been a while since I’d done Surefire.
For the others it would be their first visit.
A quick reccie on the bike a couple of days before suggested that while the old road was ridable there were a lot of trees down and the regrowth was so crazy at times I couldn’t see my front wheel.
So rather than risk derailleurs and spokes we’d be hoofing it out and back.
This meant a 7km walk out. TBH pushing through the overgrowth seemed a lot less tedious than marching along a flat boring fire trail… but I’m weird like that.
Anyhoo
After the Navman took the others down the wrong fire trail and we waited in confusion, before finally going looking for each other. we all managed to somehow find phone reception at the same time…
This meant a late start and some talk about changing plans or cancelling altogether
There wasn’t much arm twisting and we press on.
It takes us about an hour to get to the turn off then another 30 or 40 minutes to get to out the ridge and down to start of the canyon
We follow the impressive canyon along the flatter bit and find a spot where it begins to open out for lunch.
This was going to be my first time out the “standard” exit. We’d have to retrace our steps about 300m back up through the lower canyon section and exit up a side canyon
This would involve
- Climbing up some tree roots
- Then up a steep, slippery ramp using some slings.
- Up more tree roots. These ones feeling like they are coming loose
- Up a tree and bridging across to a dodgy slope….
- Then a long walk up a beautiful gully , under amazing overhangs and beautiful coachwood trees
And finally 7km back along the old firetrail to the car.
Yep it’s a big round trip on flat, boring fire trail to get to and from the canyon.
but I reckon it’s well worth it and you could always combine it with Heart Attack (less worth the walk out to do on its own IMO) or camp on the ridge and explore some of other little canyons out that way.
Party Size.5
Time: 8.5-9hr car to car.
Work hard. Dream big. Don’t be an arsehole. Mike Shinoda.
3 little canyons on a Saturday afternoon, just because
19/12/2020
Izy, Ed, Dick, Madie, Leo and meeeeeeee
‘Twas the Friday before Christmas with zero plans for the Weekend
And it just kinda hit me, I must make amend
So I sent out a late invite, with little remorse
And 5 Friends replied “hell yes”, as a matter of course
We started earlier then planned ’cause Madie was bored
They piled in my ute and the accelerator was floored.
The first canyon we visited was little and sweet
Leo tried his best to wet not even his feet
We jumped, slid and abseiled and had lots of fun
Then Madie threw mud at me, it was the end of canyon 1
Canyon 2 is a cracker, an absolute blast
but the best was to come, we saved it ’til last
The next is my favourite, I whispered to Iz
The thing is I meant it, it absolutely is
Dick left us early, he was coming back the next day
He shook hands, he hugged and went on his way
The rest of us pushed on and our excitement it grew
And we got to the slot and made our way through
We slid and we jumped, we spashed and had fun
And looked around in awe at this place where we’d come
To soon we reached the end and had to turn around
but we smiled as we cherished the joy that we found
this might be a bad poem but I bet you wish you had been us
and doubt all you want but rhyming “Iz” with “is” well… that’s just fucking genius
Party Size: 6
Times
Sheepdip: ~ 2 and a bit hrs car to car
Twister and Rocky Creek: About 3hr car to car
The best friends force you to lever yourself up
Breakfast Creek
12-12-18
Jen, Mark, David-Stephen and meeee
Jen put out the call to see who wanted to do a canyon on her birthday. Much banter ensued. Problem was it was it was going to be mid week.
Then after a couple of big weeks the boss suggested I take a day in liue. Woohoo. How’s Wednesday suit he said? More Woo. Longer Hooo.
The organisational banter continued online and before we knew it it was a dress up party.
Anyhoo, Breakfast creek is a short trip with a couple of nice sections in it
Another fun day in the bush with great people
Party size 4: All experienced
Time: 6hr car to car with some photo phaffing and hi jinx
“and I am convinced that the only people worthy of consideration in this world are the unusual ones. For the common folks are like the leaves of a tree, and live and die unnoticed.” The Scarecrow
Galah Canyon
04/11/2018
Madie, Naomi and meee
My plans for the weekend were not going to plan but Sunday suddenly freed up and I thought Madie had a trip sorted out so I send her a quick message to see what she was up to and whether I can jump in on it. The reply was ” Nothing planned let’s do something”
Galah it is then.
Naomi joined us and we set off from the car park in high spirits.
The constant banter saw us eat up the walk in no time flat and before we knew it we were suiting up.
And then the canyon opens back out and we wander down the pleasant creek to the main section.
How did you get down the log? Asks Naomi
I’ll teach you to hump it. Says Madie. I’m a log humping expert…..
Naomi does it with style
Me… Not so much
The canyon here is deep and impressive. A stunning bit of canyon
We stuff around trying to re-enact the pose that features on the back of the 5th edition of the Jameison guide
Ok so Madie is not wearing stubbies, volleys or a terry towelling hat as David Stuckey did when he posed for the shot that became the image on the back cover of the guide book and she is standing a bit to far along the log but we got close going from memory.
The other big difference is the water levels. In the image on the guide book the water is all but covering the log and there is a nice flow coming under the chock stone above.
And then the canyon opens out. Tom rates it an 8/10 and I’d have to agree, if only the constriction was a tad longer it would be a solid 10/10
But we still need to get out and after a bit of route finding we pick up the right trail and find the climb where we decide to play it safe and belay each other up.
Then set a top belay for the girls
The exit follows the bottom of the top cliffline back around to meet the creek just below the upper section of canyon. From there we have a couple of options but choose to reverse up through the top section.
From there we have a few deep wades and slippery climbs. Not wanting to either put wetsuits back on or soak dry clothes we opt for a quick undie run. Avert your eyes girls…
Naomi learns the hard way about the difference in grip on wet rock between bestards and her trail running shoes. Madie and I pretty much walked up the larger climb. Naomi had a couple of failed attempts resulting in some slides and loss of skin before we set rope on a meat anchor for her.
And before long we are back at the change point putting dry clothes back on for the stroll out.
Group size: 3. All experienced
Timing: 7.5hrs not rushing but not dawdling either.
Earth. it’s the insane asylum of the universe
sleepwhenwearedead 