Attempting Mt Lindsay

Many times I have driven down to New South Wales, and I always stare in wonder at Mt Lindsay, nestled along the border of Queensland and our southern state. It is such an unusual looking mountain, its tiered summit steeply rising out of the surrounding hills, from certain angles it gives the formation the appearance of a wedding cake.

The rock that makes up the cliffs is loose and easily broken, making it an unsuitable rock climbing destination. But it is possible to hike to the top, so after a week of research Chris and I decided to attempt the summit! Knowing it would be a solid hike we left Brisbane early on Sunday morning to make the most of our day.

It was the beginning of a gorgeous day as we pulled over to the side of the Mt Lindsay Highway in view of our target, no rain clouds in sight. Further south along the road in an adjacent paddock was some sort of bush rave, at 6;45 AM the monotonous electronic "music" was already pumping. Even though the audio conditions were atrocious we decided to continue with our plan.

Our plan didn't involve wandering along random cow trails through grassy paddocks, but after a small amount of back tracking we found the right track and another gate which lead up a very steep ridge through scrubby terrain. We continued along the ridge toward the mountain, scrambling up and around a small rock buttress, then arrived at the base of the lower cliffs and had a quick break. The day was hot and the humidity oppressive, but we made good time once we were on the right path.

Passing over a rocky section we began the traverse around the northern face of Mt Lindsay, which meant plunging down into a cooler rain-forest section. Route finding was tricky, but we eventually found enough tape / track marks to aid in navigation through the undergrowth. We pressed on through vines, spider webs, the occasional stinging nettle  before gaining elevation back up to the south east point on the mountain where a vegetated gully lead to the upper cliffs.

It was midday at this point, and we realized that we would be unable to continue to the top as we needed to be back in Brisbane by the mid-afternoon. We took lunch nearby a plaque affixed to the cliff memorializing the death of an experienced hiker at this spot in 2011, a reminder that the ascent of Mt Lindsay isn't a trivial undertaking.

It would have been great to make the summit on this occasion, but we were happy enough with our first recon of the mountain, and pressed back down into the forest to retrace our steps home. We made better time on the return, and stumbled across another reminder of the dangers inherent to rock climbing and mountaineering. A small cross remains in the forest, the grave of Edwin Lyle Vidler, a rock climber who perished trying to climb a chimney on the northern face of Mt Lindsay in 1929.

We emerged from the rain-forest once again, took in the view, then started back down the steep ridge to the same droning electronic beat we heard three hours ago. The climbing ropes I lugged around the mountain came in handy as we decided to avoid the scramble down by abseiling down past the rocky buttress.

The remaining ridge was still exceptionally steep, and rather than risk a fall on the slippery wet grass we set up some more abseils until we found ourselves back on relatively flat ground. It was a short hike down the remainder of the ridge until we crossed the fence to the paddocks and started towards the road.

We reached the car just before 3:00 PM, tired and sweaty, ready for a cold drink and the drive home. We unloaded our packs, peeled off our boots and socks, it was then I noticed I had a stow away. Below is the least gruesome photo I took.

The little sucker had feasted on my ankle, I had no idea how long it had gorged on me. I couldn't bare to kill it, at this point it was more my blood than leech! I flicked the swollen creature to the ground (dinner for some lucky bird), bandaged my gushing ankle, and started the long drive home.

While it was a disappointment not to reach the top of Mt Lindsay we are in a much better position to make the summit next time. On a cooler day with knowledge of the approach I'm sure we will be standing on the top of the tiers very soon!

More photos here, but those with weak stomachs be warned!

Mt Coolum

The weather was foul on Saturday morning, but luckily I had planned to go climbing with two Chris' at the Mt Coolum.

We were spared exposure to the worst of the weather under the shelter of the enormous cave, but the climbing was overhung and very fatiguing. We spent a few hours in the morning on 'Crazy Horny' (25) and 'Has it got a Chevy Motor?' (24) before calling it a day.

I managed to get back to Brisbane in time to see 'Seas of Valoria' and 'Clowns' tear it up at the 4zzz car park gig.

All of my favourite things! More photos here

Also, belaying can be exciting!

Frog Buttress

It isn't Frog Buttress climbing season quite yet, but we decided to head down very early in the morning to make the most of the day before the sun made it too hot to climb.

I went with two guys who between them have about 80 years of climbing experience, and have even been the first ascentionists on some of the climbs there back in the late 70's / early 80's.

Needless to say they blew me about of the water when it came to the climbs, but I was happy to sweat, curse and struggle up the crack climbing classics while they patiently waited for me to finish.

It was a hot and humid day, and by lunch the sun was beating down on the rock so we called it a day. Crack climbing is not my forte, but the abundance of classic climbs down this way are a reason to work on my jamming technique and get better.

It isn't a style you can learn in the gym, guess I'll have to keep coming down...

More photos here

Camping at Northern NSW

Heading out on Boxing day full of xmas cheer, Chris and I headed south-west into New South Wales for a few days of camping, hiking and kayaking.

We arrived at Urbenville just after lunch and decided to hike to a new climbing spot that afternoon while the weather was fine. The route descriptions were pretty good and we followed faint motorcycle tracks before a step, ferny section lead steeply up to the rock wall. Kicking away the leeches that had attached themselves to Chris' shoes, we checked out the routes and rested before heading back down the hill.

Once back at the car we decided to go for a swim at Tooloom Falls, and wash away the sweat and grime. We scrambled down the rock cliff and had a great swim in and around the falls. Noting the the adjacent camp site was full, we drove in to town to have dinner at the local pub, and watched the day turn to night.

That night, we decided to explore Yabbra State Forest a little more, to try and find a suitable place to camp for the night. We drove past 'Battery Hill' a small section of rock we planned to climb the next day. Soon the narrow track became overgrown, and before long I was driving through metre high grass unsure of where the track continued. Sticking to the mountain we found the track again, following it all the way around to where we started from! Feeling tired and not seeing any other suitable sights during the day, we parked on the other side of the waterfall on an old rocky road and set our tents up as best we could.

No sooner had we finished then the rain kicked it. We hastily climbed into our tents, tried to get comfy on the rocky ground, and fell asleep to the rain getting heavier. It continued through the night, by morning it had stopped but it was clear that we wouldn't be climbing that day.

Plan B involved driving a little further south to a place called Paddys Flat, nestled on the banks of the upper Clarence River. It was the site of many previous camping adventures, and an epic winter kayak trip earlier in the year.

After an early lunch and setting up camp to dry a few things out, Chris and I set off down the Clarence River. The recent rain had stirred up the water, but it was pleasant paddling downstream. We navigated the small rapids without issue, but as we got further downstream the skies darkened.

Keeping in mind we would need to paddle all the way upstream back to camp, we turned around after a few hours and started back. Soon after, the skies opened up. Lightly at first, but the rain soon grew heavy. The river swelled a little, and it was noticeably harder paddling against the extra current.

The rain eased as we arrived back to camp, we set about starting a fire and drying things as best we could. At least our tents were properly pitched so our bedding was dry. The fire was soon blazing, and we say around in the light drizzle enjoying a beer and a hot dinner. Night came and with it more rain, so we retired to our tents for the night, a lot more comfortable on a bed of thick grass beneath.

It was hot and humid the next morning as we packed up camp, still no climbing to be done due to the rain, so as we started back to Brisbane we made a slight detour for one last hike. We stopped at Mt Maroon (the site of many great adventures) and started up the steep summit track. We made good time and arrived at the top after lunch, drenched under the hot sun. It was very windy at the top, so after a moment to enjoy the vista and a short rest we started back down.

A few hours later we were back home, another great trip away. It was a shame that we couldn't get any climbing in, but we more than made up for it with some great hiking and kayaking. A trip to be repeated soon.

More photos here