Climbing in the Blue Mountains

The Easter long weekend had arrived and I had lined up my dream weekend. Climbing!
To beat the traffic I left Sydney early on Good Friday and headed out the Blue Mountains. It would be my first time there and I was more than a little excited to be making the journey.

I caught up with Luke at his friend's house in Leura. after a quick coffee we left under grey skies and made our way to Sublime Point. Cliffs and rocks as far as the eye could see!

We scrambled down the cliffs, squirmed down through the Magic Hole, before arriving at Choc Chip Chai wall. I roped up and finally got my hands on some rock, the first time in three weeks! And it was great!

We went up its namesake (20) before heading further around the cliff to the Theory of Negativity Wall, where we climbed the route of the same name (20). After that we headed to the Binary Cave to tackle a few harder climbs. The climbing was steep and juggy, and before long my arms and hands were wiped out.

In the late afternoon we scrambled back up the cliffs and returned to Leura, where I met Cherie and Byron, owners of the house we would be staying. A very friendly and accommodating couple, I soon had a glass of amazing red wine in my hands and after a delicious vegetarian meal we spent the night chatting, laughing and playing board-games while my glass never went empty.

I woke earlier than the rest of the guests so I drove quickly into Katoomba to check out the iconic Three Sisters rock formation. I returned home just at the bus loads of tourists arrive, and after a hearty breakfast Marik and I went off climbing while the others relaxed. The clouds had disappeared and it was a splendid late summer day.

My next climbing session was at Boronia point, and I spent the day on more steep, overhung and juggy climbs.

Climbing at the limit of my talent I had a great time on the rock, at the end of the day on the classic 'Lyptus' (23) I was spent. I climbed bolt to bolt, needing too many rests and pulling on draws before my arms gave way. Not particularly elegant climbing (if you can even call it that) but I felt great at the end of the day. My hands would suggest otherwise.

I said farewell to Marik who had climbed hard and well all weekend, and returned home to Leura. It was my lucky night, waiting for me were some colds beers and hot tacos. A better post-climbing meal I couldn't imagine, and I made short work of the food and drink provided. Another fantastic day down.

The next morning Luke, Byron, Cherie and I drove to Mount Victoria to climb at the New York crag. Another sunny day, but the constant cool breeze kept the climbing cool. After two days of strenuous climbing it was nice to climb some slabby routes which involved a lot of core balance, tiny delicate footholds and minute ridges and crimps for the hands.

We spent the afternoon on some sport and mixed routes, ticking off some routes at an easier grade. My fingertips couldn't take any more punishment, as the day came to a close we returned to the car as a few dark clouds hovered.

We stopped off at the small township of Mt Victoria for dinner at the grand Hotel Imperial, the oldest tourist hotel in Australia. We ate a much needed pub meal before finally heading back to Leura.

It was getting dark and starting to lightly sprinkle, so I packed my car for the long drive home. After saying farewell my wonderful hosts Byron, Cherie and Luke, I drove back down the mountain range through increasingly heaving rain and back to Sydney.

I was exhausted when I arrived back home, but I couldn't have asked for a better long weekend. I met and made friends with some great people, saw an amazing part of the world, and got to climb in several beautiful places. And still had a day to recover!

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Jervis Bay

After settling into my apartment and having my car at the standby, the weekend had arrived I was more than ready to get out and explore!

Time for some swimming and snorkeling while the weather was still fine! I left early on Saturday morning to beat the traffic out of Sydney and began my journey south to Jervis Bay. After a quick stop at the aptly named Sublime Point for the sunrise, I continued on past Wollongong and Nowra before arriving at Huskisson.

It was shaping up to be a gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky but a stiff cool breeze blowing onshore. I continued on to the nearby Hyams Beach, supposedly having the whitest sand in the world. The water was phenomenal, the sparkling clear blue ocean gently lapping at the shore.

Being too restless to lay on the beach I suited up and went for a snorkel. The sandy bottom soon gave way to some submerged rocks and structures, and I swam among the fish for a while, only returning to dry land when I was shivering uncontrollably.

I wanted to explore some more (and warm up), so I ventured into Boderee National Park, encompassing the south-eastern headlands of Jervis Bay.

Dirt tracks lead out to gorgeous exposed headlands, at every opportunity I took to the water to swim and snorkel.

The water was incredibly clear, and the rocky cliffs and headlands only added to the splendor. I cooked up a late lunch in the back of the Patrol and took in as many secluded spots as I could find. Late afternoon I stopped at Murrays beach, had one last snorkel and laid on the sand to catch the last of the suns rays.

As the hour grew late I left the park, the sun setting as I made my way back to Huskisson for dinner and to find a place to stay for the night. There were not spots available in the National Park, as night fell I looked for a rest stop off the Princes Highway to stay the night.

I pulled over across the road from a vacant service station, as I debated staying the night there a large six-person motorhome pulled up on the other side of the road. Thinking there would be safety in numbers I drove across the road while they pulled into a large grassy field behind the empty car park. As I got closer a woman left the van and hurriedly rushed towards me, in broken English asking if I could help. The intermittent rain had muddied the field, the grass was like ice, they were stuck!

Time to put the Patrol in 4WD, get out the snatch strap and try to pull them out of the mire! It started raining as I was on my stomach under the front axle of the van looking for a proper towing point, I managed to get a shackle around the front axle and after several attempts pulled them to firmer ground. After a quick 'Merci' they were on their way and I decided to find somewhere out of the way to spend the night.

After a bit of a drive I pulled over to the side of the road somewhere on the way to Carrarong, not wanting to pitch me tent I curled up in the back seat of my car and slept.

I awoke refreshed the next morning and continued to my next destination, Point Perpendicular. I could see the lighthouse from the beaches the day before, and knowing there was some great rock climbing there I couldn't resist a visit.

Through the gate to the Beecroft Weapons Range,  driving along the corrugated dirt roads through the naval gunnery fields, I made it to the lighthouse as the skies darkened. It was windy and cold, but the scenery was phenomenal.

The grin on my face was a mile wild, I can't wait to return and tackle some of these cliffs! Stuff dreams are made of! I then hiked a short distance to the 'Upper Portals', a legendary spot for game fishing. One of the very few places in the world where you can catch a Marlin from the shore.

The day before fifteen Marlin were caught, but there didn't seem to be too much action when I was there. As the rain set in I made my way back to the car and decided to return to Sydney before the weather got worse.

It was a pretty easy drive back north, by the time I got to the city outskirts the rain had well and truly set in, no more swimming that weekend. I stopped off for a cup of tea with my Aunt before braving the wet and heading home.

Another great weekend, an amazing spot well worth the visit.

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Exploring Sydney

At short notice I was due in Sydney for work, so I took the opportunity to see a bit more of Australia. I took the rural New England highway south into New South Wales, breaking the trip up overnight with a bit of camping.

It was a pleasant and relaxing drive down, not too much traffic and beautiful country scenery all the way down.

I dropped my car off at my Grandpa's, and after a few beers and prawns  for lunch (thanks Heather) I found my way into the city centre and to my hotel.

My room didn't have a kitchen so even night I roamed the streets looking dinner and taking in the sights. Plenty of options for a decent meal, and the city is nice at night.

The weekend came and I decided to make the most of it by taking in more city sights. I spent a Saturday taking in the obvious sights, walking through the botanic gardens, along the harbour and finishing the afternoon at the Sydney art gallery.

The next day I took the ferry to Manly in order to track down some family history, although the boat ride was stunning the plaques and records I came to see were still in storage after the surf club had gone through renovations.

It was a beautiful day so I decided to walk around north head, past the Third Quarantine cemetery, around the gorgeous coast line. I got back to a packed Manly beach late in the afternoon and wearily made my way home.

I have been very lucky with the weather and the city is easy to get around and experience. Once I'm in proper accommodation I'll explore further afield.

More photos here