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

 

Climbing Mt Tibrogargan - Candy Mountain

Another day, another drive north to the Glass House Mountains to attempt some new climbs. After a small amount of muddy off roading along the back trails of Beerburrum state forest I met up with Chris, Justine, Lucas and Julie to climb Mt Tibrogargan.

We found Slider Wall after a decent hike, but with limited middle-grade routes and climbers already attempting what little was there we decided to find another cliff.

Eventually we came across Candy Mountain, nineteen freshly bolted routes along the North East side of Mt Tibrogargan. The cliff was covered in leaf litter and the rock was very suspect. More than once we had holds break off in our hands when attempting moves, and lots of small stones dislodged by our feet.

The dubious quality of the rock made some of the climbs harder then they should have been, but we managed a decent amount of climbs before calling it a day. I managed Lichen the Candy (17), Old Elvis (17), Papa Smurf (19) and Happy Pants (20) before finishing up.

We hiked back to the car park just in time as the excessive mosquito population began to attack us as the DEET wore off.

More photos here

Climbing Mt. Ngungun

Taking advantage of the Easter holidays we drove north to the Glass House Mountains to try our luck climbing Mt Ngungun. 

It was a beautiful day for climbing as we trekked to the Andromeda wall to warm up. After successfully tackling Lunar Eclipse (15), Worm Hole (18) and Southern Cross (18) we decided to relocate to the Owl Pillar to tackle some harder climbs.

After a semi-false start on Morning Madness (18), I cranked up Afternoon Delight (18) which buoyed my confidence and gave me a second wind. I cleanly finished Morning Madness (18) before finishing the day with a sustained climb up Dawn Raid (19). 

A great end to the day. 

A few photos here

Wakeboard on the Nerang River

Making the most of another gorgeous weekend in South East Queensland, I drove down to the Gold Coast to spend the morning wakeboarding / skiing on the Nerang River. It was great to get back on the board, but I'm still figuring out how to take compelling footage with my GoPro.

More photos here, video here

Double Island Point camping

Now that the weather has begun to cool it was high time to travel north back to Double Island Point for a short weekend of fishing and beach camping. Driving up late Friday night after work was a great choice, waking up to a gorgeous dawn metres from the beach was a perfect way to start the weekend. Sitting on the sand dunes with a coffee, watching the colours of the sky fade as the sun rises over the horizon is always a highlight.

The onshore winds didn't ease all weekend but while the sun was shining and the ocean temperature still mild it was great to spend the day fishing in waist deep water. There were plenty of dart and whiting to be caught on fresh pippies, but the fish of the weekend were a solitary bream (fat and 33cm) and fantastic flathead (65cm) caught on the northern facing Rainbow Beach near the point. 

We returned home mid-morning on Sunday to avoid the incoming tides and obligatory traffic jams on the Bruce Highway, feeling refreshed and already planning for the next trip.

More photos here

Climbing Mt Tinbeerwah

After being defeated on a rainy Australia Day, I returned with some friends to conquer some climbs on the upper cliff of Mt Tinbeerwah. It was the chance to put into practice some top-belay techniques I had been contemplating, and after a few trial runs we managed to tackle some longer climbs the cliffs had to offer.

It was great to finally get a 30m+ climbs under my belt, another step towards the end goal of doing some epic multi-pitch climbs. Now I have a taste I am definitely keen to head back up north and tick off the remainder of the longer and harder routes. I can do without the oppressive humidity and heat, and the predictably horrible traffic coming back from Noosa on a Sunday afternoon.

More photos here

Wakeboarding in Carrara

I spent the first Sunday morning of the summer holidays out on the Nerang River at Carrara with some friends. It was a stunning day, with plenty of fun to be had on the skis, wakeboard and tube. A few decent wipeouts shook the cobwebs from my head, but I wasn't as rusty as I had expected.

I can't think of a better way to start the holidays.

More photos here