Dragon Crags is the new name applied to the collection of trachyte cliffs and buttresses to the east of the main Devils Gap cliff. This area has been separated into its own crag area because of the number of routes now established and the distinctive style of the area.
Climate
The main cliff faces north-east so it is hot on a sunny afternoon, and dries well after rain. However the area is exposed to winds from various directions and calm days are preferable. Because the crags are downhill somewhat, there is some shelter from nor-westers.
History
This crag has a very long but sketchy and poorly documented history of development, going back to the early 1970s. In those days there was minimal gorse, so access to the area was much easier, but the lack of bolting technology limited development.
The first route documented was a 60 metre climb on the Dragon's Tail by John Madgwick in 1991; however the vigorous growth of gorse restricted later activities to more accessible walls. Matt Squires established the first two routes on Karaka Wall in 2005, and Gabriel Lincourt added two hard routes on Karaka and Bobo Wall in 2007. It wasn’t until 2018 that track-cutting started in earnest, and the Dragon's Tail and nearby areas became accessible. Many routes were bolted and climbed in the next few months. The first team in action was Hugh Logan, Joe Arts, and Lindsay Main, assisted at times by Hamish Castle, Marcus Arts, George Gerard, and Felix Collins. During spring 2018 they developed the Dragon's Tail,and in summer moved on to the multi-pitch routes to the right. Meanwhile another team spearheaded by Warrick Matheson and Doug Atkinson started developing the Upper Pillars area, and also Bobo Wall.
During a visit to Bobo wall with Linsday in 2019, Hamish and Felix decided to investigate some rock they had scoped from Bossu Road on the east side of the Peraki valley. They were excited enough with what they saw to bolt an anchor and abseil down checking out lines. Unfortunately the level 4 COVID lock down intervened and it was six weeks before they returned to bolt and climb Memoriam Ut Apes. The area was dubbed Dragon's Lair.
Climbing
The rock is an unusual rhyolitic form of trachyte, the remnant of a large extrusion dome of the Akaroa volcano. It is generally clean and very grippy, varying between very featured walls and bare slabs. There are few cracks, so most routes are fully bolted. Caves formed by gas bubbles are common and can be quite large, and “egg-shell” structures of wafer-thin rock are sometimes found. Anchor stations are provided to enable single-rope abseils with a 60-metre rope.
Devil's Gap and Dragon Crags are closed again for farm operational reasons. Should be about a month. 20 March 2025
SPECIAL CONDITIONS APPLY TO ACCESS AT THIS CRAG
The crag is only open at weekends and on public holidays.
There is a booking system which requires climbers to sign in with their names and vehicle registration for each day of climbing. This is monitored by a group of "gatekeepers". who will interact with the farmer. There will be a cut-off each weekend for the coming weekend on Friday evening at 7 pm. Any registrations after that time will not be notified to the farmer, and therefore do not have permission.
Do Not Park In Front Of The Gate!
No naked flames of any kind. No cookers, No Smoking
Sign in by going to the Google form at: https://forms.gle/oqQK7hfLoD1LZgHS9
AFTER A LENGTHY CLOSURE DUE TO THE THOUGHTLESSNESS AND STUPIDITY OF A NUMBER OF CLIMBERS WHO HAVE REPEATEDLY LEFT GATES OPEN, AND/OR BEEN FOUND ON THE LAND WITHOUT PERMISSION, THESE MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT CLIMBERS COMPLY WITH THE FARMER'S REQUIREMENTS.
DO NOT CONTACT THE FARM MANAGER
It is not uncommon for farming activities to require the farm to be closed to the public. This may occur because of lambing, stock movements, helicopter spraying, or other reasons. Any closures will be notified here.
Approach routes
Drive toward Little River and turn off to the east just before the town, on Kinloch Road, continuing uphill to the south to join Bossu Road. Drive 2 km east and turn south again on Gap Road toward Robin Hood Bay. The best parking is just before a gate near the pine trees. Walk along the road 100 metres to another gate with an NZAC sign and track. Walk south along the track and on to the main ridge with a view to Peraki Valley.
There are two approach routes. The upper track crosses the main ridge and follows the farm track to the Gap. The Red Slab is adjacent to the Gap on the left, with the other crags downhill along the ridge to the east. (The cliff on the right side of The Gap is the East Cliff of Devils Gap). At the Gap cross the fence and head south and then east up and over the rocky ridge; then following the rough track down the ridge to the top of Karaka Wall and then Bobo Wall below Karaka Wall. However, the track departs the ridge to the south (right-hand side) about 15m before you reach Karaka Wall, and descends steeply through the gorse and scrub to the south end of Bobo Wall. It traverses below Bobo Wall toward the ridge, meeting the south end of Gaga Wall, the lowest of the three walls cutting across the ridge, where a side track leads off to the ridge and then down the north side for access to the Upper Pillars, before descending steeply again for about 150 metres to the Dragon's Tail. From a flat area it is possible to scramble up to the col beside the Dragon's Tail summit, or to the top of the Little Pillar. The main track continues down and rightward before cutting across and then down below the Dragon's Tail, where it meets the lower track.
Note that this is very steep terrain and good footwear is essential.
Lower Track - Access to the bottom of Dragon Crags
The track is marked with steel fence posts topped with blue tubing - keep your eyes peeled. Walk up the farm track from the road until you get to the top of the ridge. Here the track splits with the south branch heading towards the Gap itself (and the upper track described above). Head down a farm track that goes eastward from the ridge to a fence and gate. Do not open the gate: climb the stile on the left, and follow the farm track leading gradually down the slope. You will pass a water tank on your right. Do not turn off the farm track toward the crag at this point, you are only half way down the hill! People have been observed doing this and making an epic gorse bash directly to the foot of the buttresses. Save yourself the prickles and continue east down the main farm track. Past an area of gorse and kanuka that has been sprayed, drop down through the paddock to a branch track below that cuts back to the west, and then swings south toward the crags. This old overgrown farm track runs level to a small clearing, and then a foot track ascends west and south through the gorse and scrub to the lower buttresses.
The main track goes past the start of The Road to Perdition in the Multi-pitch area, with a side track leading off from an area of bush to Pioneer Ridge on the right. The track continues past the base of the Baby Buttress, across a small gap, and up to the base of the Dragon's Tail. A side track goes steeply up to the right to The Gully area and the top of the Baby Buttress.
Places
Routes
Images
Is there any update on the closure yet? Has Giles opened it up (with prior arrangement) for summer 2022/2023? Thanks
Is there any update on the closure yet? Has Giles opened it up (with prior arrangement) for summer 2022/2023? Thanks
Just chatted to Giles and unfortunately there is ongoing problems with climbers leaving gates open etc, so he is not allowing climbers onto the crag.
He may reconsider his position next year....
What a loss to Christchurch climbers due to the actions of a few muppets....
Dragon crag update 12/7/2020