Canyoning
Then after getting psyched on last week's canyon, we planned another one on the weekend just gone to what was expected to be a more entry level experience for a couple of our friends.
Well, on arrival at the abseil point into the canyon proper we looked down in awe at the trees some 70m below. We had to do 2x 26m abseils back to back and with that 70m exposure, the heart was absolutely racing. The less experienced handled it really really well, I think me and my mate not showing how hectic the situation was helped.
Then down through the canopy..
This canyon was shorter but deeper, with less greenery but a more foreboding feel to it..
The canyon opened up to one of the most incredible scenes I've witnessed, deep beneath 100m cliffs and with a further waterfall dropping off below us. The only issue is that we had to scale back up to our right to get out.
Celebratory beer before the climb..
Way out.. top right :o Notice the red rope middle-right of frame (below trees).
Looking another 40m below
And from the side
Working our way out..
The top
Wow looks hectic Craig. Canyoning is unreal isn’t it. These are from Blue Mountains 2016
It’s the only time I’ve done it but it’s right up there with one of the best days I’ve ever had
Isn't it Shorey! Wow that waterfall is a solid abesil as well. Great work!
I've seen photos for years of people doing it and always wanted to, but until you actually get down and into it there's no other experience like it.
It's truly other wordly and little would you know that these environments exist below the mountain ridges and tops.
Like being a kid again and pure adrenaline, stoke and wonder.
I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't done it. We did it ourselves as as a group we've got the equipment, knowledge and experience but I'd recommend going through a company as the route finding to get out etc as well as the rope work is quite involved.
And yeah when the surf isn't on WOTL, it's a perfect side hobby ;p
Unreal Craig. I was getting kicks just out of hiking in the Grampians recently. Your trip is next level.
Nice shots as usual Craig.
I haven't been able to get out that way for a while now... cool to see the recovery, albeit slow.
Stunning photos Craig (yours to shoredump)
Awesome locations.
Don't know about trusting ropes.
Thanks crew and yeah Pops I'm glad we've had such a wet period since the fires, has helped the slow recovery. Would hate to have seen it if we had back to back scorching summers.
Have you had a crack at “Draining” Craigosss. Definitely not as scenic but good fun nonetheless!!
After visiting the northern Blue Mountains just after the fires were put out last February, me and a few mates paid a visit back to the same area to see how the recovery was going.
Some places the new blue gum regrowth was dense but at some of the hotter burn sites, there recovery looked slow and with no upper foilage.
One positive was the return of insects, ants, bugs and the sounds of birds. There was no sight of any larger fauna though including snakes, echidnas, koalas, kangaroos etc.
We hit a canyon that didn't looked to be as impacted by the fire and the green Jurassic scenes were just that, playing out our own Tomb Raider real life adventure..
Last year vs this..