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.
