Climbing Urbenville

Feeling the urge to one more go exploring, I got a crew of climbers together headed into northern NSW for a weekend of camping and rock climbing. We delayed leaving as the summer storms rolled in on Friday night and gave South East Queensland a much needed soak. We awoke early Saturday morning to overcast skies, but decided to take our chances in the potential storms and made our way south.

A few hours later we passed through Urbenville, then took some roughly graded tracks through Yabbra state forest until we arrived at our destination, Battery Hill. We started up some of the easier climbs while the rest dried out, and after some difficulty route finding we managed to get in a decent day of sharp, crimpy, balancy climbing.

Calling it a day while we still had light we drove to a nearby camp site in the late afternoon, set up our tents, then climbed down to the adjacent waterfalls and washed away the day’s sweat and grime.

Feeling exceptionally refreshed (but hungry) we dried off and took a short drive to the local pub for a schooner of beer (or two) and a piping hot pizza for dinner. Then back to camp where we collapsed in our tents to fall asleep to the thunderous cacophony of cicadas.

I awoke early to a glorious Sunday morning, I brewed a fresh pot of coffee while the others stirred. After a quick breakfast we made our way back to Battery Hill to tackle a few more sections. We started up some more climbs as the hot sun beat down, and managed to tick off some really fun routes before we had to head back. The allure of the water was too strong, so after packing up we once again swam and relaxed under the amazing Tooloom Falls.

Begrudgingly we returned home to Brisbane, exhausted but elated to have such an amazing weekend away. It was great to get out of Queensland, climb a new area, and see so much wildlife (birds, snakes, spiders, lizards) driving through the country roads. It couldn’t have turned out any better.
More photos here

Babylon Wall, Mt Ngungun

Hoping for some clear skies we left Brisbane early Saturday morning and made our way north to the Glass House Mountains. We headed to the previously unexplored Babylon Wall on the north eastern face of Mt Ngungun.

Walking through the damp scrub we arrived to wet rock and several small waterfalls cascading down some of the climbing routes. 

Undeterred we found some lower graded climbs and set off trying to tick off a few routes in the wet. We managed Dang Fool (14), Fool's Errand (14) and Herzinator (13) without slipping off the slick and slippery wall before the sun and heat of the day dried up a few more routes.

We then climbed Hijinx (17) and Gossamer (19) before running out of dry routes to attempt. We called it a day and heading back to the township for the customary post climbing pizza and coffee.

An enjoyable morning, I will return with things dry out.

Some photos here

Wakeboarding on the Nerang River

Just some photos and videos from a scorching hot day down on the Gold Coast. Biting sun, blue skies, beautiful water made it a hot but fantastic morning of wakeboarding and tube riding.

Photos and videos below.

Double Island Point camping

It had been too long since I had camped on the beach, so when I saw a weekend on the calendar that ticked all the boxes (outside of school holidays, decent tide times, not too hot) I organised a trip back north to Double Island Point.

Anton, Kaz and I left after work on Friday night, and drove to Tewantin where we rendezvoused with some friends who were joining us. We hit the beach around nine o'clock, timing it perfectly with the dead low tide, and went about finding a suitable camping site.

We spotted a decent sized spot and proceeded to set up camp in the howling northerly winds. After a couple of beers and handfuls of chocolate coated coffee beans I eventually called it a night around 2 AM, and retreated to my tent that was barely staying upright in the winds.

I woke at the crack of dawn to this, the reason I love camping.

I walked to the beach and started digging for pippis, hoping to start the early morning with some fresh fish for breakfast. Unsurprisingly it wasn't to be, only catching a few smaller fish that we far from legal size. I settled for a few cups of coffee, sausages and eggs and chilled out in the heat of the day.

After a quick nap we went looking for a more productive fishing gutter, having no more luck we returned to camp at dusk and settled in for the night with cold beers in front of a hot fire.

Another late night, another early morning start. Two-thirds of the crew had to return home so we fished and relaxed while they waited for low tide to return home. After a successful fishing session (thanks Kaz) and another midday nap we sat on the dunes and watched the darkening skies slowly creep towards our camp.

We missed the majority of the storm and decided to go for a drive to rainbow beach and explore. Anton suggested we visit the sand blow, so in the late afternoon sun we found our way there.

We stayed until the sun went down then made our way back to camp, our mouths watering with the prospect of pippis and fresh fish waiting to be roasted over an open fire.

Sated by the delicious meal, and drowsy after beer, red wine and whisky, I made it back to my tent one last time. I awoke several times during the night as the fierce winds threatened to steal collapse the tent, but I made it through the night to discover the tent barely standing and full of sand.

At least I still had shelter! After a pole failure during the second night, Kaz and Anton had to sleep on the sand under the tarp, shielded from the now onshore winds by Anton's longboard.

The sunrise cheered my spirits, and after a few coffees we decided to pack up camp and hopefully get away before the rain as more storms were approaching. We managed to beat the rain, and made our way back down the beach towards Brisbane, sandy, tired but content.

Another memorable trip. More photos here

4wding and Hiking Around Mt Beerwah

Just a few photos from my hike around Mt Beerwah looking for some climbing spots. Lots of fun 4wding and bush walking involved.

More photos here

Dog Day Afternoon, Pages Pinnacle

Summer has arrived, Lukas and I decided to take a trip down to the Gold Coast hinterlands to find some shady climbing at Pages Pinnacle. We started the day with the climb 'Party Girls' (19), a fun route up a corner wall. I was climbing well until I was within arms reach of the anchors when I peeled off the wall and took a decent fall 1/3 of the way down the route. Instinctively grabbing the rope I manage to burn through a few lays of skin on my index finger, but finished the climb in the end.

Lukas had no problems on-sighting the climb.

We then made our way further along the wall to climb 'TOS' (18). I had climbed this route before, but this time I continued past the anchors to the 'TOS Extention' (21). This was a lot harder than I expected, I took a lot of rests and falls trying to figure out the steep, pumpy, crimpy crux. Against better judgement I persisted and finally managed to finish the route, forearms and fingers devastated from the abuse. At least I got some practice in taking falls, but my stamina was severely depleted.

After Lukas climbed 'TOS' we took a short break while the sun was overhead, then attempted the slabby 'Striptease' (20). A different style of climbing, I enjoyed sending the route but couldn't finish it clean, having to rest on the bolts near the end of the climb before my hands gave out.

We then climbed 'Are We Dancer' (19) and 'Rock n Surf' (17) as a warm down for the day. Short, committing climbing with big holds right where you need them, it was a great way to finish the day.

We hiked back to the car, drove back along the road that skirted the Hinze Dam and tried to procure a coffee for the drive home. Finding the nearby cafes closed, we asked the proprietor of a small pizza shop if he sold coffee. "No I don't, but because it's not busy I can make one from my personal espresso machine". The Argentinian owner (given away by the prominent Lionel Messi posters on the wall) disappeared behind the counter and a few moments later appeared with some piping hot cappuccinos. We delayed our plans and stayed for a delicious pizza, thick with cheese and toppings. What a great guy! I'll definitely stop by next time I'm in the area.

More photos here

Mt Ninderry climbing

The long weekend had arrived! I left Brisbane on Saturday morning and drove north to spend some time climbing on the Sunshine Coast. Unfortunately it seemed like half of Brisbane has the same idea to leave town, so traffic heading north was pretty terrible and I arrived an hour and a half later than expected. On a positive note, I left overcast skies and arrived to glorious sunshine, sea breezes and the sounds of crashing waves.

After unloading fishing rods and surfboards, Chris and I went to explore a nearby crag on Mt Ninderry. After a steep, sweaty hike we arrived to the mosquito infested walls, and began our search for something to start the afternoon off with.

We settled on 'Neo Nasi Goreng' (19) a great climb up an exposed edge rock. A really fun climb to start and it had great views to Coolum once we got some height.

Feeling good but conscious of the time we decided to check another wall on the mountain where 'Three Stroke Scree Slope' (18) caught our eye. It was bolted on a really interesting looking rock formation, with plenty of bizarre looking but solid holds.

I topped out as the golden afternoon sun started to filter through the canopy so after getting back to solid ground we made our way back home feeling like we had a successful afternoon.

We returned the next morning, not looking forward to the steep, sweaty hike but anticipating getting back on the rock. We started up under a nice short overhung wall, and climbed 'Hangover Overhang' (18) as a warm up. The steep climb was a very run out after the second bolt, but after committing to pulling over the crux it was only a short distance to the anchors.

'Have Another Home Brew' (19) was a different story. It took quite a few tries before was able to find the sequence up and over the crux, my forearms were burning by the time I successfully finished the climb. It felt great to finish the route, but I'll need to work on my climbing stamina before I'll be able to finish that climb without resting.

Temporarily having our fill of overhanging walls we made our way to the 'Sunset Butress' to find some more routes. I started up 'Leo's Slab' (19) and made it to the third bolt before getting stuck. I'm almost certain a crucial hand hold had been recently pulled off, and in the process of searching for another hold I pulled loose another piece of rock. Not wanting to give up I decided to veer left, bypassing the next bolt and rejoining to line shortly before the top. I finally reached the anchors and we greeted by a stunning vista of the surrounding areas while I was tucked into a small exposed cave.

I set up a top-rope and belayed Chris up so we could rest in the cave and take in the view. An absolutely stunning end to the climb!

We abseiled down and decided to finish the day with one last climb. We climbed the first pitch of 'Fletcher in the Sky' (18) before calling it quits for another day.

Tired, sore and sweaty we made it back down the mountain, and headed back to Coolum for some well earned beers.

A phenomenal long weekend, I can't wait to return!

More photos here

Line of Credit redux

Marie, Tim and I ventured back to the Glass House Mountains to try some more multi-pitch climbing. We warmed up on 'Line of Credit' (70, grade 16) before the rain struck and we returned home.

The route has a great start to the second pitch, but the wasp's nest a few feet before the crux gave me something to think about while I committed to the next section. A great little fun climb.

More photos here

Troposphere and Line of Credit multi-pitch

After a few weekends of rainy weather I was able to make my way back to Mt Tibrogargan for some more multi-pitch climbing.

Along for the ride were Chris (from California) and Lukas (from Germany). Leaving Brisbane at dawn we arrived at Celestial Wall and started up the 115m, five-pitch 'Troposphere'. I led the first section (15), before Chris linked the shorter 2nd (17) and 3rd pitch (18).

Lukas led the 4th (15) and I finished the fifth pitch (16). It is a great route with lots of exposed climbing and some great moves. Stepping out around a massive rock slab, out into the void with nothing but a long, sheer drop below being the highlight of the section. At the top of the route be scrambled across to another rap station and made our way back to the base of the cliff.

With half the day gone we decided to finish up on 'Line of Credit', a two-pitch, 70m grade 16. Chris and Lukas led the first pitch, after belaying both of them I seconded the 35m to the rap station. I continued on and led the second pitch (16), another 35m route with some amazing moves. Tiring arms, traversing across another sheer drop while trying to find good feet and hand holds, taking the plunge and committing to getting across the void was exhilarating. Very addictive!

Rapping down at the end of the day was very satisfying, as were the two huge pizzas we devoured before heading home, tired but still riding the adrenaline high.

More photos here

Climbing Pages Pinnacle

Ekka holiday! Taking advantage of the mid-week day off, Marie and I headed down to the Gold Coast hinterland to climb at Pages Pinnacle.

We arrived the day after back-burning had been carried out, and it was a little eerie walking along the freshly burnt out trails, through the ankle deep soot and charred trees. After a decent hike we made it to the crag and began climbing the juggy, pumpy routes.

The weather was perfect for climbing and we progressively climbed routes of increasing difficulties. I had planned to test myself on a harder grade so I bit the bullet started up a grade 22, my previous high being a 20. Climbing up nicely pocketed slab that lead to a sustained juggy head wall, I eventually made it to the anchors with my hands and forearms burning, but feeling stoked!

Feeling pretty pumped after the effort I top roped another 22 (thanks to Marie for traversing to the anchors and setting up the lower off) to warm down for the day. Really happy to tick off some of the harder climbs, I can't wait to return and try some of the other similar grades.

More photos here