[SUBW-A] Trip Report - Festival of Canyons - 1-2 Dec 2007

[David Noble]

Saturday -

It had been raining a bit (or rather a lot) up the mountains just  
before the weekend - but that didn't seem to deter any of the  
starters - but at the North Richmond Bakery - we thought it prudent  
not to do Claustral Canyon which most of the party intended to do (in  
two groups) and instead join a group that Peter Raines was leading  
down Why Don't We Do It In The Road Canyon at Mt Wilson. So we  drove  
to the mountain and met up with Peter at the fire station.

Party - David Forbes, Norm Kelk, Zenek Makaruk, Magda Giraldo, Dan  
Ryan, John Robens, Chuin Nee Ooi, Peter Raines, Rachel Melrose,  
Nazzih Chammas, Albert Chetcuti, Imke Zenker, Tom Gleeson ("Mr G"),  
David Carmichael, Carolin Plate, Nichol Hill, Col Atkinson, Dave Noble

Photos -

http://www.david-noble.net/canyoning/2007/WDWDIITR/WhyDontWe.html

It was raining and quite cold - so most of us got into wet suits at  
the fire station - then set off for the short walk into the canyon.

On the way - we overtook a UTSOAC party doing an optional early  
abseil and ran into another UTS party on the second abseil. We found  
an alternative belay point and abseiled into the canyon. In the creek  
- the water was up  promising us an adventure. We continued down a  
nice gorge section of the creek and soon arrived at the lower canyon  
section. This began with a nice abseil down a waterfall into a dark  
pit. The current was strong enough for John to loose one of his  
volleys in the dark pool. Then followed two short abseils. Some in  
the party injured their knuckles on one of the drops - and another  
major  mishap occurred when a (very fancy brand new!) GPS device  
slipped out of Chuin Nee's pack and vanished into the torrent.  
Despite a lot of searching - it was not found.

At the end of the canyon - we had lunch in a large dry cave. A fire  
was lit and the jaffle irons were unpacked. A friendly water dragon  
posed for photos just outside the cave. The walk back began with a  
nice ledge traverse to avoid trying to wade up the Wollangambe (which  
given the current would have been futile). Then a nice climb in mist  
and drizzle back to Mt Wilson.

Some of the party had to return to Sydney, while the rest of us made  
our way to the Festival of Canyons party at the Cathedral of Ferns  
Campground.

Saturday evening -

Thanks to local,  Peter Raines, we had a nice pile of firewood ready  
to burn - so a large fire was built and many fine ales and wines were  
consumed (perhaps too many?)

Sunday - Clatterteeth Canyon

Party - David Forbes, Magda Giraldo, Dan Ryan, John Robens, Chuin Nee  
Ooi, Nazzih Chammas, Albert Chetcuti, Carolin Plate, Nichol Hill, Col  
Atkinson, Sabrina Cascio, Lois Loren, Dave Noble

Photos -

http://www.david-noble.net/canyoning/2007/Clatterteeth/Clatterteeth.html

Another great day of canyoning. The water was high which made for a  
fun trip. The level was not really dangerous - and you only had to be  
careful in a few spots. We did puncture a few lilos however.

The canyon was very beautiful -with lots of long pools. We exited via  
Joe's canyon which was actually flowing quite well.

Most of us had dinner at the Kurrajong Heights Hotel on the way back  
to town

A great weeekend. Thanks to all that came along and made it such a  
great group of people. In particular - thanks to those hwo brought  
along ropes on Saturday and assisted with the abseils, and to Peter  
for dumping the firewood and in particular - to the main organiser -  
Ellen Braybon from UTSOAC.

Dave
________________________________

David Noble
dnoble at ozemail.com.au
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~dnoble
http://www.david-noble.net