North Facing limestone Crags, that are generally weather proof. There are quite a few good climbs here at various grades, and a lot more climbing to be developed.
The first three climbs are located exactly 150 paces upriver from the main crag (Hanging Gardens). Lost in Time and Love From Me are on a face directly behind a small patch of grass 20m from the sandy riverbed. The Crack of Beyond is tucked up at the gully to the right of this.
The Hanging Gardens is the last major cliff band on the right hand side of the valley when driving up the road, 5.3km up the Bullock Creek Road. There is a small pull over by a single tree where you can see the crag clearly from the road. Vague trail crosses small creek and grassy meadow. If raining hard keep an eye on the creek.
Routes
Reference | Title | Grade | Length | Pro | Quality | Alert | Operations |
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Lost in Time, 22 | 22 | 18m | 7 | ||||
Start left of the small prow, bust through some dusty scoops to some entertaining moves on the face above. |
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Love From Me, 19 | 19 | 18m | 7 | ||||
Not hard to tell this route was put up by a skier-cum-climber. A slalom course of a line. Starts right of the prow and deke left to share the 3rd bolt of Lost in Time before carving back through the big scoops to finish up the vague arête. |
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Crack of Beyond, 16 | 16 | 12m | |||||
This route is well hidden about 50 metres upstream on a small crag tucked up in the bush. A perfect, aesthetic handcrack on yellow rock, with its own protecting overhang above. Ring anchors. |
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Crème Brulee, 22 | 22 | 25m | 8 | ||||
This route is on the left of the crag and starts above a scrubby bank with a cut-off fixed rope. Climb from the tree to the cut fixed rope (good cams, grade 12) to gain the vegetated ledge directly under the arête. Anchor to tree and root. Now climb steep white rock to the left and then move right to gain the arête, and continue to the chains. Sustained. |
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Champing at the bit, 14 | 14 | 17m | |||||
50m up stream of IoI on river bank beneath the deserted bee hive. Follow a series of cracks then step right to chimney thing and anchor above. |
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IoI | IoIIllusions of Inadequacy, 19 | 19 | 5 | ||||
On the main part of the crag, starting directly from the usually dry riverbed. Starting on the left of the wall against the trees, follow a vague crack rightward to a stance and overhang, and pull up on good holds on the left. Pass the thread (previously the anchor) at 15 metres and continue to the ring anchors below the overhang. Since recent retro-bolting, this climb has about five bolts. Dean Arthur, 1999. |
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HA&V | HA&VHeart Attack & Vine, 25 | 25 | 3 | ||||
Second pitch of Illusions of Inadequacy. Move up through the overhang to belay station. Best climbed as one 25m pitch from the ground. The third pitch to the overlap and beyond is unclimbed. |
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SP | SPSeemingly Psychedelic, 24 | 24 | 29m | 13 | |||
Best climbed as one 29m pitch from the ground. Climb Illusions of Inadequacy to last bolt then veer right wards to ledge then through the small roof, then its steep slab climbing on excellent rock all the way to the anchor. You can be lowered to the ground on a 60m rope but when cleaning best lower to anchor of IoI and re-thread. |
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KD | KDKnee Deep, 20 | 20 | 18m | 6 | |||
3m right of IoL. Start left of bush to gain crack, up over bulge then up slab to a good stance below large flake, around this to a mantle finish. |
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Opp | OppOpportunivore, 18 | 18 | 2 | ||||
This route is based on the crack. Start as for Bush Chick and move left after clipping its first bolt and gain the crack, followed by a crux move to the groove. Follow the crack and move right to the chains. Originally quite committing on gear, but now protected with bolts. |
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BC | BCBush Chick, 17 | 17 | 6 | ||||
Very nice climbing through the left of the overhang, clipping about six bolts. |
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WtWW | WtWWWhere the Weka Was, 21 | 21 | 20m | 5 | |||
Hard crimpy moves to reach a high first bolt (a lower one may be added) to protect the moves through the small overlap, then easier to the overhang. Pull through heading right, and back left to the chains. |
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OMW | OMWOrganic Migraine | 8m | 2 | ||||
RH side of crag, a neat little route that climbs up to the rata root... (still needs an anchor - single bolt lower off atm) |
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Nicotine Rampage, 21 | 21 | 20m | 6 | ||||
The line 3m left of Dogs in Space. |
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DiS | DiSDogs in Space, 18 | 18 | 6 | ||||
Right hand side of the crag, up on the terrace above river. A bouldery face leads you up to the crack and easier climbing. Total classic. |
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tGG | tGGThe Great Gatsby, 21 | 21 | 20m | 10 | |||
Somewhat of a romantic drama. Start up Dogs in Space, at 3rd bolt step right and head up to chain draw then step right again on good holds to gain to the classy arete (crux) and then up arete to anchor. When cleaning best to redirect off the chain draw to avoid swinging into bush. |