slot

Central Queensland Adventure:Day 1 part 1

| flynny101

27-09-2023

Gadget and meeeeeeee

Gather around friends, adventure family, misfits and, vagabonds I’ve got a story to tell.

Or sumfink

30 odd years ago when Jameison published the first edition of Canyons Near Sydney he included a short section at the back for other canyon areas with a short paragraph on Carnarvon Gorge saying it had sandstone slot canyons similar to the Blue Mountains.

The only description was try starting at the homestead, make your way up the gorge and look for a routes up.

My curiosity was pipped and it got filed in the back of my brain.

Since that time it’s become a tourist mecca with a wilderness lodge going in around 1996 and National parks developing a good trail network. But I had a feeling there’d still be some hidden gems.

So when the stars aligned and Gadget and myself found ourselves with a week off I said fugg it, let’s go.

Of course abseiling is frowned upon in QLD national parks. There are permits but from all accounts these are about as hard to obtain as diamond impregnated rocking horse shit.

So our plan would be to just have a look. Scramble up from the bottoms or down from the tops as far as possible then retreat.

Day 1 though would be the touristy stuff. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

We rock into the NP camp ground late Thursday night. Not realising the nondescript pop up gazebo was the visitor check in we cruise past and pull into a random camp site to get our bearings.

Hey Kylie, what number site is on our booking ? says I

9, says she

You’d never guess what number we had pulled into at random.

Ok, most of you guessed 9. But Shit yeah! good start to the trip.

Not a bad view out of the tent

Our first target was back up the road a bit, Micky Creek Canyon.

Micky Creek is on all the maps, tourist brochures and instagram posts but 1 person I spoke to said the side creek next to it was betterer.

Canyon 1

Weirdly Warrumbah creek is sign posted and has a tourist trail that leads to the mouth of the canyon but there was zero info on it.

A short way from the end of the “formed trail” we find ourselves in a proper slot canyon

The start was impressive but it was dry as a dead dingo’s donger.

The further we scrambled up the better it got. We met a guy who said he had visited in June and it had been flowing.

Note: to self September is a shit time to visit. Hot as hell and dry. you could see the moss drying on the walls, with a bit of water the colours would pop.

It got a little damp as we scrambled higher but the water was manky
The canyon just kept going

About a kilometre on we come to a long section of stinky pea soup looking water. We thought about trying to bridge over it but the walls were slimey and it’s our first canyon on our first day and it already exceeded expectations so we headed back down.

Canyon 2

Micky Creek right branch.

Once again the tourist trail takes us to the mouth of Micky Creek canyon. It ends while the creek is still a wide gorge but soon after there’s a junction and we head up the right branch.

It soon starts to canyon up
There were a few tricky scrambles to get up into the good bit

Eventually we got to a scramble that,while confident I could get up, I wasn’t overly keen on getting back down the slippery stone without a hand line. so once again we decided to turn back down.

Canyon 3

Micky creek left branch had a short section of canyon just upstream of the junction. This seemed to be the source of all the brochure and instagram photos. It was pretty but short. We continued up and it was narrowing but it wasn’t long before we were stopped by another scramble ropes would be handy for.

Continue to Day 1 Part 2

A little Blue Mts surprise

| flynny101

02/09/2023

So I kinda like visiting the little canyons most people would not bother with.

Part of it is seeing beautiful places most people don’t get to and part is just getting out and exploring with mates.

When Tom posted photos of this one on https://ozultimate.com a few years ago it caught my attention as I had a reasonable knowledge of the canyons in that area but didn’t recognise this at all.

Then a month or so ago a YouTube video was posted that had a few clues.

10mins of comparing images in the video and the areal images on sixmaps and I was confident I knew how to find the start and how to get out.

Anyhoo it had been so long since I’d dragged friends out on a scrub bash to a low quality canyon that they had forgotten the pain and agreed to come again.

Was it scruby? Yes it was
Was it low quality?
The canyon section was pretty. Pretty short. But actually pretty.
Wetsuits were over kill. I thought there might be a bit more flow in the falls after last weeks rain but most of us stayed dry above the knees.
Just a few abseils and a short hallway and the canyon opened up
Then it was back up the ridge and we avoided some of the scrub back to the car

A bit under 2.5hrs car to car with a large group and giving Muz some abseiling refreshers along the way.

They are all worth exploring at least once.

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Bindook Chasm

| flynny101

19-08-2023

Gadget and Meeeee

Despite being right next to Bindook cattle Station Bindook falls are in the middle of nowhere.

Sure it’s an interesting bit of nowhere but it’s a longish drive from anywhere.

The creek cuts a short but pretty slot down a series of Falls that have 2 main points of interest

1) they cut through hexagonal columns of basalt (Edit: apparently it’s not basalt but Barrallier Ignimbrite. Ignimbrite is basically the result of hot ash flows if I am understanding things, which I usually don’t)

b) it’s called a chasm.

Plus

iii) the distance means it’s less visited than a lot of blue mountains canyons.

Any hoo it’s been on my radar for a while only I thought you needed permission to cross the private property and I thought it was a very long drive to get to.

A tiny bit of research revealed you can skirt around the property within the boundary of the National park and it wasn’t that much longer a drive than it is to Kanangra which makes it an easy day trip from my place.

And so we thought why the hell not.

It’s a pretty drive made prettier by a dusting of snow coating the pine trees on the way out through Shooters Hill. And the road past mt Werong to Bindook is very scenic indeed. It’s awe inspiring country

We had no problem finding a spot to park and making the short walk to the start of the chasm.

Making our way down to where the creek first cuts into a narrow slot we are greeted by 2 smallish drops each with a long swim at the bottom and little to no anchor options between

The start of the chasm

We discussed setting an anchor for the first abseil and linking them together but it looked like it might be a tricky pull down in cold water so we opted to bypass a short section and abseil in from the side.

There was a reasonable flow of water so I believe the murky green is due to calcites in the strata?

Bypassing the first 2 drops with a 40m traversing abseil from trees above.
Looking down the amazing “chasm” towards the chock stone. With a bit of effort we were able to use the ledge on the left to avoid the early swim.

The anchor for the next abseil was threaded throu a single piton jammed in the back of the chock stone.

We searched for a while for a feasible back up without luck. Test weighting the anchor showed the piton to be solid and with a stepped, scrambley abseil we decided it was good enough and Gadget went down first.

You don’t really notice the columns until you look back

I perch above the pool and pull the rope. It comes easily and I stop to take out the biner block I had in place then go to pull the last bit down…. It locks solid!

It had come super easy til then. But nothing I could do would get it to budge. I assume the end has knotted itself on the ring and not wanting to waste too much time as Kylie was wet and waiting at the next anchor, I resort to cutting the rope.

The next anchor looks like it needed replacing 15years ago… it partly crumbles as Gadget inspects it. Other bits are so stiff we had to cut them out.
Gadget checking angles.

The next abseil is off old pitons again. At least there are 4 of them but we take a bit of time to set new tape. It was impossible to equalise them in the direction we wanted to abseil but again they felt solidly placed. And Gadget lead the stepped 45m abseil.

Another cold swim greeted us at the bottom of this one.

We pull rope from the far side of the pool then have a brief look for an anchor for the final 60-70m drop.

There wasn’t much in the way of obvious anchors and spying a steep ramp leading up to the right we opt to exit early.

It’s steep, loose and at times narrow but it goes.

Back up top we push our way through black thorn thickets up to the clearing below the property fence line, then make our way back to cross the top of the chasm and thus back to the car

Nice spot for a picnic

Part size: 2

Time: 4hr car to car.

Big places help you realise how small you and your problems are

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South Bowen, upper

| flynny101

Upper upper. Like, the very top bit.

08-04/2023

Kylie and meeeee

It’s been a while since I’ve organised an obscure trip.

Others take the piss out of my scrub bashes to shit canyons but I get a kick out of checking out places the majority wouldn’t bother with.

So when we were thinking about what to do and South Bowen formed up as the front runner I suggest how about we go in fro the top.

Not that’s it’s overly obscure, for as long as I can remember David Noble has been commenting that people miss 3 or 4 canyon sections by going in the “standard” entry.

Still upper sections tend to be hit and miss so I wasn’t expecting high quality but they are all worth doing once.

The only hitch was the car shuffle. We didn’t have a second car.

Let’s just do the top and scramble out the Cork Screw entrance. Says I. That way it’s only a 2km walk back up the highway and we can do that first.

Deal.

We pick one of the branches below Mt Wilson turn off and make our way in. It was scrubby on the spur and muddy in the creek line.

Like scrubby scrub and muddy mud

But it’s only a short bash to the first canyon section. And it’s surprisingly high quality.

And once we got to the junction with the “standard” entry we reversed back up the Cork Screw section and found a break in the cliffs to scramble up.

Party size:2

Time: 4.5hrs car to car.

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Juggler

| flynny101

07-04-23

I’m not going to make it.

I’m suppose to be catching up with the crew for a trip through Claustral. But the early start was delayed so I crawled back into bed to wait out the unusual morning storm.

Then I forgot to factor in Good Friday traffic.

I’m no chance of making the new time. Go without me, texted I

Now what?

Hey Kylie want to do a chill half day?

Sure

I’ve never been overly impressed by Juggler but it seems like the least hassle.

It’s was kinda nice after the storms.

Opting for the wet lines
A couple of guys in front

And that’s about it. We are not really fussed on adding in Grand today so we go for a little optional extra

We invited the two we caught up with in juggler to the add on.

Party size:2

Time: 3.5 hrs car to car with a relaxed lunch break.

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Hole in the Wall.

| flynny101

11-03-2023

Russ, Aimee and me

Anyone want to go canyoning?

Sure!

And thus we find ourselves navigating our way around the chemical weapons clean up and start walking out the fire break along Waratah ridge amid banter and laughing.

And before too long we are suiting up and entering the canyon
It’s quiet nice.
I always forget just how spectacular the top section is

And I also forget the length of the walk betwix it and the bottom section …

Aimee entering the bottom section. The log has moved so now it’s a much easier start. That log had been there as long as I can remember. It’s now further down the chamber. Testament to the power of the recent floods
Wrong time of year for a massive glowworm display but still… glowworms!
and if I’m ever not awed by glowworms slap me hard

The cave has silted up again meaning it’s a walk through to the squeeze out again.

It’s pretty choked up. Says Russ. I’m not sure we’ll get through.

Ah, that old chestnut.

Wait. I can see a bit of light. and up he squeezes.

I’m not sure of the sense of leaving the fat guy until last but Aimee follows him and I push my pack through to her and think skinny thoughts as I wiggle my self up and out

Then the hole abseil is awkward and holey again
Hole in the Wall, the sun really does shines out it’s arse
I don’t want to get into the whole bolt debate but for me the problem solving aspect has alway been a big part of the appeal of Blue Mountains canyoning. So needing to think about and improvise anchors was a pleasant change to what has become the norm in the more popular “trade routes”
And far too soon we are swimming up the Bungleboori North branch/*hackspit* Dingo creek.
Excuse me, I’ve been trying to reach you about your cars extended warranty…..

Chase your stars, fool. Life is short

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Crystal Slot

| flynny101

29/01/2023

Russ and meeeee

So when Neil Miller posted some photos of a little canyon on Australian Canyoners it sparked some interest. It was one I hadn’t done before and I thought I’d been down most of the gullies in that area.

Other more notable Canyoners were equally surprised. A bit of asking around by David Noble revealed Andrew V and Karen M had visited it years ago and called it sleeper.

Anyhoo I finally managed to go for a look with Russ to see what the fuss was about.

We may have removed some tape and ghosted so the next party can feel the sense of exploration
It’s a pleasant start.
And it kept the pleasantries going
The Crystal slot

It’s a nice afternoon outing. I rate it more interesting than some of the better known canyons in the area.

Nice one Neil.

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Ranon Brook

| flynny101

14-01-2023

It occurred to me I hadn’t done anything biggish for a bit. Nor had I lead anything I’d not done before for a while. Nor had I done the top of Ranon Brook ever.

Time to amend that.

The track notes said to follow the ridge so of course I headed straight down into the creek, joining it just below the feeder swap.

I don’t think Kylie was that impressed but the walking in the creek was mostly pleasant with occasional bits of cutty scrub

There were some nice bits of crystal clear water.
And soon the creek dropped into a stunning little canyon
Happy smiles
Abseil into a pool, swim across and abseil out is a bit of a theme in Ranon

But it’s only short and a bit more creek walking gets us the the junction with Mistake Ravine and into familiar territory

It was a busy day in The main canyon sections.
These tip top Canberrians let us go throu on their rope and caught back up a couple of times through out the day. oddly were the only other group we saw once we got to Claustral
Kylie in the slot above the Claustral junction
And into Claustral.
Just in time for sunbeams
Mandatory hulks fist
And National Geographic shot
And more sun beams
And standard Claustral gorgeousness

Another great day out with great company, somehow missing the crowds.

It’s still magic even if you know how it’s done: Terry Pratchett

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Buttering Boxes with Crazy foxes

| flynny101

06/08/2022

Hywaida, Kristo, Ethan, Kylie, Rus, Madie and meeeeeeeeeeeeee

Who wants to do Butterbox this weekend, said I

Me, said them.

As they say in Canada (probably) Well alrighty then

A cold wind blew on the morning of our gathering.

Wait! That’s an understatement and a half

It was an icey gale that ripped through us as we met at the car park.

And it seemed like it would be whipping up through the canyon

Are we sure we want to do this?

Of course.

And so it went.

We layered up and headed in.

Couldn’t quite get the Beetles abby road shot… It may have been cold but patches of blue sky and sunshine lighted our spirits.

Excitement on faces and interesting places.

And it’s about to get real

Butterbox is, for the most part, more open and has less swimming than the trip we did through North Bowen 2 weeks ago. But there are more abseils which could lead to more standing around waiting. we had enough ropes to keep moving. My only concern was the small stance on the chockstone pitch might mean we have a line up of people waiting in ice wind.

Good news for us, once we dropped off the ridge there was hardly any wind at all. I had a set of sharkskin T2 chillproof underneath my 5mm seland wetsuit (* this is not a paid endorsement. but if seland or sharkskin are reading this….. 🙂 ) I had put them on at the first abseil. I’d packed a windcheater jacket but left it in my pack.

By the time we got to the first swim I was keen to cool off

Ah the ol’ hump the log technique. I’ve given up going that way since the logs deteriorated a bit but H isn’t scared

A couple of short swims, a slide and we get to the bit we are here for

Butterbox is a fun, adventurous trip but lets face it. The next 2 abseils is what it is all about
Kristo on rope heading to the chockstone as Madie bleeds rope. There may have been comment made about how the official sign up top shows photos of old school technique and terrible rope management, having a massive pile of twisted spaghetti at the bottom. Something I was guilty of for many years. I’m thankful at how far my knowledge and skills have progressed in the last few years thanks to knowledgeable people sharing their, um, knowledge
R
K
E
H
Ours truly

So at the bottom of that you go over the edge and pop out to a large rock wedged between the canyon wall, The chockstone. Well I say large, there’s room for 2 people to set up the next abseil, 3 if you don’t mind getting up close and personal. 4 if you want a group hug with little room to do anything else much less try to set rope or maneuverer to abseil.

And 3 or 4 meters below the Chockstone the canyon takes a sharp right and you swing out under the roar of the falls and into the chamber of awesomeness
After the extended wet, and going of other canyons visited recently I was expecting water levels to up. Oddly they were fairly normal or even a bit down on the last trip but sliding directly off the end of the rope as you touch down here is so much nicer and safer than trying to disconnect with a bunch of rope still on the ground, or worse, twisting up in the water ©Hywaida

And I just noticed Madie creeping in the background of the above photo as Kristo descends. What is she doing up there? How did she get there? How will she get down? The answers to all this and more will not be forthcoming in the next instalment of “What’s Madie up to now”

Another short swim, some boulder hoping and a final abseil and we reach the lunch spot and spread out in the sunlight. Pulling on dry clothes Rus reminisces about the time it was so stinking hot when we got here that we found some shade and snoozed for a couple of hours waiting for it to cool down enough to climb out.

Of course the Butterbox adventure isn’t over yet. There still the steep walk out to the clmb.

I put my windcheater on expecting to be in the full force of the icy zepher. Soon I stash that back in the pack and strip down to a tee shirt. It was pleasant in the valley

I failed so hard.
Russ keeping the barefoot madie safe
Madie leading the way
The trees look so small. Did I say something about rope management earlier. it’s not a twisted as it looks. Kylie rocking on up with Me and Madie Duel belaying the others up

Up top it wasn’t until we were cross the saddle from Butterbox point back to the car park that the full force of the wind hit us. At one point I think I was leaning 45° to the right trying to resist it blowing me off the hill.

You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t loose it: R Williams

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