Castle Head Abseil & Empress Canyon Trip Megalong, New South Wales, Australia
By
Webguy & Ecoteam on 22-Jan-05. Waypoint GCKWB3
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Logs
Had a great time, except for the walk out which almost killed me....look forward to do it again...
nice meeting everyone that attended
nice meeting everyone that attended
Those who grabbed bugs, please log them out asap and also, if you have not already logged your attendance, do that as well then this one will be archived.
First thing I thought of when I read the news of the missing canyoner in Empress... Glad your team made the right decision.
Well what a Day, Firstly im thinking what am i doing here i just got back from adelaide working night shift and getting out of bed at 5:45 to drive to glenbrook, but by the time we had reached our parking spot i started to wake up. So off we went, Ive driven out this way before but never ventured along these tracks, and what a walk it was the scenery was amazing. Arrived at first abseil feeling much more awake, by the time i had rigged up and looked over the edge i was very awake. The 1st and 5th pitches were the best. once we arrived at the bottom the harsh reaslzation that we now had to get back out, this is when my lack of sleep really kicked in, I was not prepared for the stairs i knew they were going to be bad but obviously didnt expect this as i offerd to carry extra gear out, half way up the stair's it was time to unload luckily one of our party was unladen and accepted the rope. lucky i left early and headed home i must have been just ahead of the hail.
Thanks to everyone for a great day.
Thanks to everyone for a great day.
Well, that was a great day out. Excellent conditions and good company made for a most enjoyable and adrenaline fuelled day. It looks like piking on Empress Falls was an extremely good idea.
I too got hammered by the hail storm on the way home. With all the road work, several sections were converted into muddy temporary rivers with waterfalls. The traffic had to crawl along, navigating solely by the tail lights of the car in front. It got all too dicey at one point and most cars just pulled over to wait it out.
Photos to come soon.
I too got hammered by the hail storm on the way home. With all the road work, several sections were converted into muddy temporary rivers with waterfalls. The traffic had to crawl along, navigating solely by the tail lights of the car in front. It got all too dicey at one point and most cars just pulled over to wait it out.
Photos to come soon.
An excellent adventure, a trip I'll no doubt do again. Nine of us gathered at the car park and slopped on the suncream before walking out to the trig and kitting up. The day was very warm, bright and reasonably clear. The views over the Jamison Valley, Ruined Castle, Mt Solitary and Cedar Valley were spectacular. The last abseil pitch was the pick of the lot, with a final 20m overhang, two Eastern Rosellas landed on the anchor to bid me farewell as I down climbed over the edge taking the knot with me.
A storm brewed as we climbed the Golden Staircase and lightning forked overhead followed by loud cracks of thunder as we drove back toward Katoomba. We visited Echo Point to quickly bag one of Webguy's easy traditionals and the rain began to bucket down. By the time we drove through the town centre the roads had become rivers, the heavy rain and hail was deafening as it hit the car roof and bounced off the windscreen. Driving through Wentworth Falls the hail looked like snow covering the ground.
Fortunately the trip had taken a little longer than planned and we hadn't started Empress Canyon. I can only imagine what a scarey and dangerous place it would have become. In fact, tragically one member of another party in Empress at the time is this morning still missing and feared dead. I know what a horrible situation it is for his family, friends and the rest of his group right now and I feel for them.
Thank you to Webguy & EcoTeam for organising and to everyone else for making it a great day.
Here are my photos http://www-mod.uow.edu.au/sah/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=CastleHeadJan05
A storm brewed as we climbed the Golden Staircase and lightning forked overhead followed by loud cracks of thunder as we drove back toward Katoomba. We visited Echo Point to quickly bag one of Webguy's easy traditionals and the rain began to bucket down. By the time we drove through the town centre the roads had become rivers, the heavy rain and hail was deafening as it hit the car roof and bounced off the windscreen. Driving through Wentworth Falls the hail looked like snow covering the ground.
Fortunately the trip had taken a little longer than planned and we hadn't started Empress Canyon. I can only imagine what a scarey and dangerous place it would have become. In fact, tragically one member of another party in Empress at the time is this morning still missing and feared dead. I know what a horrible situation it is for his family, friends and the rest of his group right now and I feel for them.
Thank you to Webguy & EcoTeam for organising and to everyone else for making it a great day.
Here are my photos http://www-mod.uow.edu.au/sah/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=CastleHeadJan05
Well, after 4 hours sleep, I dragged my butt out of bed to a cloudy sky, "At least it's not going to be stinking hot" I thought to myself.
We all met at Glenbrook, I did a quick check to make sure that WP1 was still there for Girls Rule, it was, the new glue is doing the job by the looks. Some of the attending members took this opportunity to record WP1 of Girls Rule.
I bummed a lift with Dingbat and even though we were last out of the car park, we were first at the staging carpark?! By now, the could was starting to burn off and it was starting to warm up. Slip, Slop, Slap, change of shoes to boots and we were ready to go.
The walk out to Castle head is quite nice with plenty of great views from a multitude of places along the way. But, as the day warmed up, the visibility started to drop as the mountains took on their usual blue haze.
We got to the very top of castle head and whipped out our metal bits, harnesses and all did our best to look like we knew what we were doing.
After a quick scramble we were at the first anchor, radios had already been turned on and a final channel selected after a few false starts due to constant channel chatter. As I was coming down the first pitch last, I found myself some shade and settled in for my wait to be over. Doing this I think saved me from a serious baking!
The first pitch you need to veer right and was quite fun, after pulling the rope down, we walked over to the next pitch which was much shorter but just as fun.
I don't remember much about pitches 3 and 4, but they were shorter. I do remember pitch 5 though, it was certainly the pick of the pitches. Dave rigged the two 60mtr ropes and also rigged it so i could do it on a single rope to get more friction with the device I was using to better control my speed.
After Dave was down, I clipped on, tested the friction, took one loop out and still found it a bit on the slower than I wanted side, but, it was an awesome abseil. By the end of it, my harness was putting pressure onto my legs and you certainly felt the difference when I stepped out of the harness.
After cooling off in the cool shade of the corner we were in, Mr Mindsocket made his appearance, and since he wanted to hide a cache, and did not have a radio, we decided to set off and the others to follow as they came down.
The final stages of the descent to the saddle where the tourist track is involved a couple of interesting scrambles and was a lot of fun, the climb up to the ruined castle in the heat was no fun.
After logging Mindsockets new cache, admiring the views, a number of the others finally arrived, I set off to make my way to the bottom back to the tourist track to have some lunch. Just as finished, the others arrived ready to head back. The group ended up splitting into a few smaller groups, those who are fit, those who are in between and those who are not fit, but get there in the end.
The walk back up the golden stairs was not much fun in the heat and by the time I had reached the lookout near the top, I had drained my 3ltr hydration pack completely.
As we sat at the top chatting, we were watching the showers coming in from the west and the thunder had been booming for the best part of the last 2 hours. We decided that we would drop by my easy cache at Echo point, but would not do the canyon as it was late, and it is just too dangerous to even contemplate such a thing with a storm looming.
And what a storm, just as we arrived at Echo point, down it came!!! After the wet signing of the logbook, Scot and I headed up into Katoomba in search of hyrdration in a bottle, with that done we started our trip down, the temperature was dropping fast, and in 30 minutes, had dropped 11 degrees! Then the hail started, there was so much hail, as others have said, it looked like snow.
All in all, it was a most excellent day out with some great company and awesome views!
We all met at Glenbrook, I did a quick check to make sure that WP1 was still there for Girls Rule, it was, the new glue is doing the job by the looks. Some of the attending members took this opportunity to record WP1 of Girls Rule.
I bummed a lift with Dingbat and even though we were last out of the car park, we were first at the staging carpark?! By now, the could was starting to burn off and it was starting to warm up. Slip, Slop, Slap, change of shoes to boots and we were ready to go.
The walk out to Castle head is quite nice with plenty of great views from a multitude of places along the way. But, as the day warmed up, the visibility started to drop as the mountains took on their usual blue haze.
We got to the very top of castle head and whipped out our metal bits, harnesses and all did our best to look like we knew what we were doing.
After a quick scramble we were at the first anchor, radios had already been turned on and a final channel selected after a few false starts due to constant channel chatter. As I was coming down the first pitch last, I found myself some shade and settled in for my wait to be over. Doing this I think saved me from a serious baking!
The first pitch you need to veer right and was quite fun, after pulling the rope down, we walked over to the next pitch which was much shorter but just as fun.
I don't remember much about pitches 3 and 4, but they were shorter. I do remember pitch 5 though, it was certainly the pick of the pitches. Dave rigged the two 60mtr ropes and also rigged it so i could do it on a single rope to get more friction with the device I was using to better control my speed.
After Dave was down, I clipped on, tested the friction, took one loop out and still found it a bit on the slower than I wanted side, but, it was an awesome abseil. By the end of it, my harness was putting pressure onto my legs and you certainly felt the difference when I stepped out of the harness.
After cooling off in the cool shade of the corner we were in, Mr Mindsocket made his appearance, and since he wanted to hide a cache, and did not have a radio, we decided to set off and the others to follow as they came down.
The final stages of the descent to the saddle where the tourist track is involved a couple of interesting scrambles and was a lot of fun, the climb up to the ruined castle in the heat was no fun.
After logging Mindsockets new cache, admiring the views, a number of the others finally arrived, I set off to make my way to the bottom back to the tourist track to have some lunch. Just as finished, the others arrived ready to head back. The group ended up splitting into a few smaller groups, those who are fit, those who are in between and those who are not fit, but get there in the end.
The walk back up the golden stairs was not much fun in the heat and by the time I had reached the lookout near the top, I had drained my 3ltr hydration pack completely.
As we sat at the top chatting, we were watching the showers coming in from the west and the thunder had been booming for the best part of the last 2 hours. We decided that we would drop by my easy cache at Echo point, but would not do the canyon as it was late, and it is just too dangerous to even contemplate such a thing with a storm looming.
And what a storm, just as we arrived at Echo point, down it came!!! After the wet signing of the logbook, Scot and I headed up into Katoomba in search of hyrdration in a bottle, with that done we started our trip down, the temperature was dropping fast, and in 30 minutes, had dropped 11 degrees! Then the hail started, there was so much hail, as others have said, it looked like snow.
All in all, it was a most excellent day out with some great company and awesome views!
So this is luckily not one of you lot??
http://smh.com.au/news/National/Hopes-fade-as-rain-halts-search-for-abseiler/2005/01/23/1106415439126.html
Scary stuff...
Nearly as scary is realising that all my abseiling gear has come out of its pouches in my boot and has been clanking around and getting knocked around for weeks... hmmm integrity testing anyone?
http://smh.com.au/news/National/Hopes-fade-as-rain-halts-search-for-abseiler/2005/01/23/1106415439126.html
Scary stuff...
Nearly as scary is realising that all my abseiling gear has come out of its pouches in my boot and has been clanking around and getting knocked around for weeks... hmmm integrity testing anyone?
A great trip!
Weather turned out perfect this time, not a cloud in the sky and not a breath of wind. 10 of us headed off to takle this cache.
MindSocket had an ammo box straped on for the ride so he could plant it at Ruined Castle.
Some spectacular abseils with scenery to die for, but luckily no one died.
Several came close to dying in the sun and the heat though, it was hot and humid, and the UV was high. Several people got fried, the sun mercylessly attacking any square mm that was not protected. The normally fairly easy walk out up the Golden Stairs was an absolute killer in the heat and with a lack of hydration.
EcoNic lost the mouth piece on her Platypus AGAIN, leaving us without much water, and several others ran out too.
We were trying to get to Empress Falls as quickly as possible to cool off, but it quickly became clear that the thunder storm was about to hit us late in the afternoon, so the canyon was called off.
And hit us it did on the drive home!
Several of us foolishly stopped to do one of Webguys caches in the pouring rain and thunder and lightning. With EcoNic remaining in the car eating (as usual!), rolling her eyes in disgust, 4 of us headed into the bush to hunt tupperwear. 4 grown men cowering under an umbrella signing a log book was something to behold
Back into the car and heading home it HAILED! Tons of it, covering the sides of the road and peoples roof, it looked like snow. The main drag of Katoomba was turned into a slip and slide water park, with all the shoppers standing out the front watching the main drag turn into a river. It was a flood in 10 minutes flat.
The rain didn't let up one bit, it poured all the way back down the mountains.
A great day was had by all, although I think we all agreed that doing an exposed abseil trip in the middle of summer is a plainly STUPID thing to do. We have leanred our lesson and won't do such a foolish thing again!
EcoDave
Weather turned out perfect this time, not a cloud in the sky and not a breath of wind. 10 of us headed off to takle this cache.
MindSocket had an ammo box straped on for the ride so he could plant it at Ruined Castle.
Some spectacular abseils with scenery to die for, but luckily no one died.
Several came close to dying in the sun and the heat though, it was hot and humid, and the UV was high. Several people got fried, the sun mercylessly attacking any square mm that was not protected. The normally fairly easy walk out up the Golden Stairs was an absolute killer in the heat and with a lack of hydration.
EcoNic lost the mouth piece on her Platypus AGAIN, leaving us without much water, and several others ran out too.
We were trying to get to Empress Falls as quickly as possible to cool off, but it quickly became clear that the thunder storm was about to hit us late in the afternoon, so the canyon was called off.
And hit us it did on the drive home!
Several of us foolishly stopped to do one of Webguys caches in the pouring rain and thunder and lightning. With EcoNic remaining in the car eating (as usual!), rolling her eyes in disgust, 4 of us headed into the bush to hunt tupperwear. 4 grown men cowering under an umbrella signing a log book was something to behold
Back into the car and heading home it HAILED! Tons of it, covering the sides of the road and peoples roof, it looked like snow. The main drag of Katoomba was turned into a slip and slide water park, with all the shoppers standing out the front watching the main drag turn into a river. It was a flood in 10 minutes flat.
The rain didn't let up one bit, it poured all the way back down the mountains.
A great day was had by all, although I think we all agreed that doing an exposed abseil trip in the middle of summer is a plainly STUPID thing to do. We have leanred our lesson and won't do such a foolish thing again!
EcoDave
Loved it. Lots of good abseiling. keen to do it again but in a colder month of the year, i'll be recovering for a while with all my sun burns 
.
it's a shame we missed out on the canyoning, maybe for the next event cache.
Dropped off 3 TB's
Took 1 Jeep 4x4 TB
. it's a shame we missed out on the canyoning, maybe for the next event cache.
Dropped off 3 TB's
Took 1 Jeep 4x4 TB
OK, weather may hold off for storms till the afternoon, let us hope so, We will know more tomorrow night.
I will be bringing a 60mtr and gear for me and 1 radio.
I believe this BS of Nic going shopping is just not right, she should be doing Monkey Puzzle for you Dave while we do the canyone, should take her about the same amount of time.
Please, we will still be meeting in the carpark between the toilets/informarion centre and the theatre, you can access this carpark from the front road, just before you leave the information bay, you will see there is a short connecting road over the grass. Remember, we will be leaving the carpark at 7:30am sharp, ring me 0414 604 853 if you are running slightly late.
I will be bringing a 60mtr and gear for me and 1 radio.
I believe this BS of Nic going shopping is just not right, she should be doing Monkey Puzzle for you Dave while we do the canyone, should take her about the same amount of time.
Please, we will still be meeting in the carpark between the toilets/informarion centre and the theatre, you can access this carpark from the front road, just before you leave the information bay, you will see there is a short connecting road over the grass. Remember, we will be leaving the carpark at 7:30am sharp, ring me 0414 604 853 if you are running slightly late.
EcoDave and EcoNic are in, plus two muggles.
EcoNic and ZijerJel (if coming) aren't keen for the canyon, so will go shopping with EcoDave's not so Virgin credit card while the guys get some canyon action.
Can bring 60m, 40m, plus smaller ropes, all 9mm.
Given that Empress is so quick, I might leave the pack in the car, less gear to wash. Suit up and harness up at the car?
EcoNic and ZijerJel (if coming) aren't keen for the canyon, so will go shopping with EcoDave's not so Virgin credit card while the guys get some canyon action.
Can bring 60m, 40m, plus smaller ropes, all 9mm.
Given that Empress is so quick, I might leave the pack in the car, less gear to wash. Suit up and harness up at the car?
O yes we (Ben the muggle and I) have all our own gear req. plus 50m of 11mm if req.
I intend to come along. Have my own gear, but no ropes suitable for abseiling.
Would like to join in, but will have to confirm closer to date, will be working NShift out of state and wont get back till friday night.
Have all own gear + spare for 2 others, 50&60m dynamic rope's
Will Confirm ASAP.
D Man
Have all own gear + spare for 2 others, 50&60m dynamic rope's
Will Confirm ASAP.
D Man
I'm coming again + one muggle from SES. He just got new gear and wants to try it out.
I'm Keen for the canyoning, haven't done any for a while.
See you all there.
[This entry was edited by Odee McPodie on Saturday, January 08, 2005 at 5:33:38 PM.]
I'm Keen for the canyoning, haven't done any for a while.
See you all there.
[This entry was edited by Odee McPodie on Saturday, January 08, 2005 at 5:33:38 PM.]
We seem to only have a couple of confirmed attendees, any other interested parties, please post ASAP so we can sort out ropes etc.
Regretably I won't be attending now. Some friends are getting married on the day and swmbo has decreed we both have to attend the wedding.
Unfortunately the Rats wont be attending the second coming. What with holidays, work and other stuff something has to give.
Have fun all.
What with holidays, work and other stuff something has to give. Have fun all.
So far the new date looks good for me, maybe i can also drag the mrs out this time. Shame it got rained out last time (still had a fun time with all) hope it's not raining this time, touch wood.
't was a shame about the weather however we still had a good day out with a nice walk, an excellent adventure (Daylight) and a small abseil for Drop Dead Gorgeous.
The new date suites me and I look forward to catching up with you all then, if not before.
The new date suites me and I look forward to catching up with you all then, if not before.
Unfortunately the rain washed this one out.
We turn up at Glenbrook under dark and mean skys, with reports of heavy rain up at Katoomba.
We decided to go up and have a look anyway, but it got worse and worse as we got closer to the GZ.
Visibility was 50m at best, and with not a breath of wind it didn't look like clearing in a hurry.
It would have been a miserable and dangerous experience if we continued, so we opted to postpone the event until another time. Castle Head is to be enjoyed, not endured.
Not wanting to risk EcoNic being up to her eyeballs in red sludge, we left the rest of the gang to head off to the DayLight cache and then on to Drop Dead Gorgeous. Hope they had a good time.
A new date will be set for the event soon.
We turn up at Glenbrook under dark and mean skys, with reports of heavy rain up at Katoomba.
We decided to go up and have a look anyway, but it got worse and worse as we got closer to the GZ.
Visibility was 50m at best, and with not a breath of wind it didn't look like clearing in a hurry.
It would have been a miserable and dangerous experience if we continued, so we opted to postpone the event until another time. Castle Head is to be enjoyed, not endured.
Not wanting to risk EcoNic being up to her eyeballs in red sludge, we left the rest of the gang to head off to the DayLight cache and then on to Drop Dead Gorgeous. Hope they had a good time.
A new date will be set for the event soon.
Just one Mind Socket inmate will be attending. The special belaying shirt is ready, and a new cache should be available on the day too, with a one of a kind (so far) first finder's prize.
The weather forecast is still for possible showers in the morning clearing later.
The trip will still be on in light rain, so bring your rain jacket.
The trip will still be on in light rain, so bring your rain jacket.
Final count for the Rats is:
HK Rat
Odee Mcpodie
& myself plus all our gear.
See you all there.
HK Rat
Odee Mcpodie
& myself plus all our gear.
See you all there.
ok, Numbers now make it a good sized party.
Forecast is for some showers early sat, this should not affect us too much, so, unless it turns to storms, it's still full steam ahead.
Please make sure you arrive at Glenbrook meeting spot early so we can leave on time. Eco Dave may even get a chance to nab the first WP of Girls Rule this time of the day, it will be one of the rare occasions that it is muggle free.
We have to assume that you all now have your own harnesses and hardware organised, if not, speak up NOW! Please be sure to pack a spare tape or prussik loop for a safety line, a couple of extra lightweight karabiners for clipping this on and off are essential. And of course your trusty melon protector!
If you are running late on Sat (And we know you won't) PLEASE ring me 0414 604 853 or Dave (Everyone knows his number)
Thats it, we look forward to seeing you all early Sat morning at Glenbrook.
Forecast is for some showers early sat, this should not affect us too much, so, unless it turns to storms, it's still full steam ahead.
Please make sure you arrive at Glenbrook meeting spot early so we can leave on time. Eco Dave may even get a chance to nab the first WP of Girls Rule this time of the day, it will be one of the rare occasions that it is muggle free.
We have to assume that you all now have your own harnesses and hardware organised, if not, speak up NOW! Please be sure to pack a spare tape or prussik loop for a safety line, a couple of extra lightweight karabiners for clipping this on and off are essential. And of course your trusty melon protector!
If you are running late on Sat (And we know you won't) PLEASE ring me 0414 604 853 or Dave (Everyone knows his number)
Thats it, we look forward to seeing you all early Sat morning at Glenbrook.
I knew it, I should not have looked at the pics....... I am really peeved with work, first they put me on Standby rescue over the weekend of the abseil, then they give me the friday off on the same weekend, when I can't do a bloody thing.....
Have fun all... I'll be thinking of you......not......
oh and yeah, I missed out on a chance to abseil the harbour bridge this week too.......
Have fun all... I'll be thinking of you......not......
oh and yeah, I missed out on a chance to abseil the harbour bridge this week too.......
Disclaimer:
Just a final obligatory reminder that abseiling is an inherently dangerous activity, and carries with it a degree of risk and uncertainty. This is an unguided trip, and as such by coming along on this trip you accept the risks and that you are responsible for your own safety.
Depending on time, EcoTeam may have to pike out up the golden stairs and miss out on the after abseil cache hunt due to a last minute family event. We'll see on the day.
Looking forward to seeing you all there.
Just a final obligatory reminder that abseiling is an inherently dangerous activity, and carries with it a degree of risk and uncertainty. This is an unguided trip, and as such by coming along on this trip you accept the risks and that you are responsible for your own safety.
Depending on time, EcoTeam may have to pike out up the golden stairs and miss out on the after abseil cache hunt due to a last minute family event. We'll see on the day.
Looking forward to seeing you all there.
Ok, we have:
EcoTeam =
1 x 60m (9mm)
1 x 40m (9mm)
1 x 23m (9mm)
2 x 15m handlines (8mm)
1 x 13m (9mm).
WebGuy =
1 x 60m 9mm
1 x 40m 9mm
Rats =
2 x 50m 11mm
That should do it.
Although is anyone else feels the need to bring one as a "backup", that's fine.
All of these ropes will do the 5 drops at once with a bit spare, although 2 ropes is enough to actually get us through at a slower pace. So we have a fair bit of redundency.
Will spread the ropes among most of the packs so no one gets loaded down.
Lets fight over who goes first or last on the day
EcoDave
EcoTeam =
1 x 60m (9mm)
1 x 40m (9mm)
1 x 23m (9mm)
2 x 15m handlines (8mm)
1 x 13m (9mm).
WebGuy =
1 x 60m 9mm
1 x 40m 9mm
Rats =
2 x 50m 11mm
That should do it.
Although is anyone else feels the need to bring one as a "backup", that's fine.
All of these ropes will do the 5 drops at once with a bit spare, although 2 ropes is enough to actually get us through at a slower pace. So we have a fair bit of redundency.
Will spread the ropes among most of the packs so no one gets loaded down.
Lets fight over who goes first or last on the day
EcoDave
You wouldn't think I had done over 200 caches....after Swampy's log, I thought I would check to see if the date had come up yet...Doh! Fine print..."hidden 20 Nov"! Doh! Yep, I'm still in.
Well, work has done it to me again, [B)] I said yes to this event cache too quick. [:(!] I have been rostered on a duty over this weekend. [8] I am now a no go for the abseil, thanks to all those who were going to assist me with equipment. [xx(] Since I am the one who wrote the requirements/rules/guidelines for this duty, It wouldn't be a good idea for me to break them.....Have fun all
I'm in, thanks for organising. Will have all personal gear including a couple of radios.
I estimate 13-14 people already signed up for this one, I don't know whether we want to get too many more otherwise the day is going to drag trying to get so many people down so many pitches etc.
If Dave is in agreement, we may limit it to 15 people max.
If Dave is in agreement, we may limit it to 15 people max.
A lot of us will presumably have descenders (Pitt Stop, RapRak) not well suited for double 11mm, so we'll have to arrange things so we get those people down first on a single 11 and then the last one down untie and use the double.
We'll arrange a final gear list and plan closer to the date.
If we don't put in a bit of planning then the abseils will be a fair bit longer than expected, esp if we have a large group.
Make sure you bring your radios too.
EcoDave
We'll arrange a final gear list and plan closer to the date.
If we don't put in a bit of planning then the abseils will be a fair bit longer than expected, esp if we have a large group.
Make sure you bring your radios too.
EcoDave
Would love to come along on this trip. I have helmet and gear... could even provide some rope if you think we are short 
. I have abseiling experience.
. I have abseiling experience.Two tree-huggers are in + one muggle. The muggle is a qualified abseil instructor and has gear.
EcoTeam can contribute a 60m, 40m, and various 15-20m ropes.
I'd say we'd need an absolute minimum of 2x60m, 2x50m, 1x40m, and several hand lines.
Helmets are compulsary, there can be loose rocks.
EcoDave
EcoTeam can contribute a 60m, 40m, and various 15-20m ropes.
I'd say we'd need an absolute minimum of 2x60m, 2x50m, 1x40m, and several hand lines.
Helmets are compulsary, there can be loose rocks.
EcoDave
I'm in, limited expirence, but I have abseiled Castle Hill in Townsville. No equipment....
Further to the gear list, I have 50m x 2 (11mm), 75m x 1 (11mm). Multiple tapes and crabs for anchors and agree with EcoDave, helmets are compulsary.
Taking longer pieces of rope would be advisable in the event that we have rescue anyone we can abseil down beside them on ropes which have been halved. It would be desirable if people had some self-rescue knowledge. For those who don't, I can assist with a weblink prior to the event.
My muggle friends are experienced operators having state rescue board vertical qualifications.
Should be a good day.
Taking longer pieces of rope would be advisable in the event that we have rescue anyone we can abseil down beside them on ropes which have been halved. It would be desirable if people had some self-rescue knowledge. For those who don't, I can assist with a weblink prior to the event.
My muggle friends are experienced operators having state rescue board vertical qualifications.
Should be a good day.
I will supply harness and hardware for Swampy. As for helmet, a bike helmet is better than nothing.
I also have a 60 and a 40 if needed but sounds like we have plenty already.
I also have a 60 and a 40 if needed but sounds like we have plenty already.
I have a spare helmet (Petzel) that should fit Swampy's head.
1 x 50m (11mm), 1 x 25m (11mm), a couple of racks, some odd lengths of tape, ascenders, a couple of cow-tails left over from my caving days and my caving harness (tied from webbing - works well but a bugger to adjust).
Experience: Mostly abseiling into caves but a few drops in daylight.
1 x 50m (11mm), 1 x 25m (11mm), a couple of racks, some odd lengths of tape, ascenders, a couple of cow-tails left over from my caving days and my caving harness (tied from webbing - works well but a bugger to adjust).
Experience: Mostly abseiling into caves but a few drops in daylight.
I'm definitely, definitely interested. KitPie might be keen too.
Experience: Some abseiling at climbing crags, a couple of canyons, plus leading a bunch of crazy noobs 60m off Nth Head in the dark :p
Equipment: harness, figure 8, pitt stop, a couple of prussik loops, biners, 50m dynamic rope, misc rock climbing gear and a yet to be printed one-of-a-kind belaying t-shirt.
Experience: Some abseiling at climbing crags, a couple of canyons, plus leading a bunch of crazy noobs 60m off Nth Head in the dark :p
Equipment: harness, figure 8, pitt stop, a couple of prussik loops, biners, 50m dynamic rope, misc rock climbing gear and a yet to be printed one-of-a-kind belaying t-shirt.
