Climbing Pages Pinnacle

With the forecast for rain all weekend I thought I would risk a trip to a new climbing location situated in the hinterlands of the Gold Coast. Kaz, Anton and I took our chances with the rain and drove down to Numinbah Valley and hiked to the ridge line. Heading down to the base of the wall we eventually we found a nice looking, juggy climb and set off up the wall. 

I lead TOS (18) which was a great pumpy climb with some decent fun committing moves. Kaz followed before the rain set in, leaving Anton to attempt the climb in the wet. Luckily the overhanging ledges kept water off most of the climb, and Anton made a great effort to get to the anchors. I climbed once again to clean the route and made my way back down as the rain intensified.

Before heading home we decided to check out the hike to the top of the range. Probably not the greatest idea to try and scramble along the thin ridge in the rain while wearing joggers and a backpack full of heavy climbing gear, so we only made it a short way along before calling it a day. 

There were some great views as fog enshrouded the surrounding landscape, eventually we left and made the slightly muddier trek back to the Patrol and headed back to Brisbane.

A great adventure and we definitely need to return very soon to attempt more climbs and summit the ridge.

More photos here

Climbing Mt Ngungun

Another gorgeous Autumn day, Kaz and I decided to make to make the most of it so we drove north to Mt Ngungun to do some rock climbing.

We headed straight to the Owl Pillar but found it was already being climbed, so we continued along to the lower main wall and decided to warm up on a tricky 18, 'Summer Holiday'.

With lots of committing, pumpy moves just above an awkward overhang it probably wasn't the easiest way to start the day, but we both topped out and made our way back to the Owl Pillar.

We spent the rest of the day on 'Afternoon Delight' (18) and 'Dawn Raid' (19) which are short, fun routes with lots of great moves.

A great way to end the weekend, we sat on the top of the pillar and enjoyed the view before heading back home.

A few photos here

Brunswick Heads, NSW

While my brother and his family were visiting from Darwin we stayed at a friends holiday house down at Ocean Shores in northern New South Wales. It was the first time I met my six-month-old nephew Will, and a great chance to catch up with my almost three-year-old niece Scarlett.

We were lucky enough to have periods of great weather and we made the most of our time by fishing (unsuccessfully), kayaking, swimming and surfing (unsuccessfully).

The weather was warm and the ocean mild, it was amazing to get out and enjoy the outdoors while autumn lingers but all too soon the end of the weekend approached and we had to head back home to Brisbane. It was hard to say goodbye to my brother, sister-in-law and their kids from Darwin but I was very happy to be able to spend time with my whole family for the weekend. I can't wait to see the kids again!

More photos here

Girraween camping

Feeling the urge to explore some new climbing and camping areas I organised a trip to Girraween National Park. We loaded up the Patrol pre-dawn on Saturday morning just as a cold snap hit South East Queensland and made the three hour trip south.

The trip down through the Great Dividing Range was spectacular in the early morning sun and eventually we arrived to cold, clear, sunny skies and proceeded to set up camp in the shade of the Bald Rock camping area. After a late breakfast we shouldered our climbing gear and set off to find some crags.

 

We hiked out past Castle Rock and continued along the trail before stopping at The Sphinx Rock to check out what was on offer. Seeing lots of very impressive granite formations without bolts or adequate protection for trad climbing we made the decision to continue on to Turtle Rock. 

 

Once again we failed to find any well bolted routes, but eventually set up a top rope above an impressive crack and set about climbing. Climbing on the cool, sharp granite soon numbed the fingertips, but we all managed to successfully ascend the route. We explored the many boulders, crevices and cracks looking for suitable climbs but came up empty. After braving the high winds and a few short squalls we retreated to the camp site as the darkness and cold set in.

 

I set off to the nearest tavern for some beer and wine while the others got the camp fire started. After a huge meal of bolognaise and garlic bread cooked over the hot coals we sat around the camp fire, passing bottles of ginger wine, port, red wine and beer between us to starve of the ever increasing cold. As soon as the last log was thrown on the fire and the embers died down I retired to my tent, and fell asleep fully clothed to a warmish and peaceful slumber. I would later read it got down to 3.1°C overnight....

Awaking to an overcast dawn the next day we had a quick breakfast and several coffees before heading out on another hike. Stopping at the impressive granite arch, and some random rocks to do some bouldering, we eventually made it to the base of a huge granite mountain called ‘The Pyramid’. Braving the howling winds we made our way up to the summit for some spectacular views of the surrounding granite belt. An amazing sight and well worth the cold and wind.

 

Eventually we trekked back to camp, packed up and headed back home to slightly warmer weather. The weekend was a bit of a disappointment climbing wise, but still a very enjoyable weekend. The granite belt is a beautiful corner of Queensland and I will definitely return again.

More photos here