Scrambling in the Blue Mountains

[featherplucker]

Hi all,

New to the site, but not too new to getting into the bush. Perhaps someone could help me out here, can anyone suggest some tracks/points with some good scrambling in the blue mountains? I havnt dont too much of it, and looking to get more into it. Have done plenty of bushwalks - don't consider myself super experienced, but certainly well initiated.

Any ideas/suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

[ninjapuppet]

Hi feather plucker. There's a really good abseil called boars head. Depending on your skill level you could bring a rope and some rack, nuts, cams, pitons and do the abseil in reverse and climb back up from the bottom.

Super technical though so failing that, another one is to get to the end of narrow neck and there is tarros ladder which is a fun short scramble.

There's so many around, another is donkey mountain. tiger snake canyon also has some at the end when you are getting back out of the canyon. It's a good beginners dry canyon

[FatCanyoner]

Pretty much any off-track walking in the Blue Mountains will involve some scrambling. I'm a big fan of pass finding, so by default love a good scramble. I'd suggest exploring some of the less visited passes of Narrowneck. My recent walk up the southern pass onto Mt Solitary would also fit the bill. Moving north into pagoda country would also be good. Donkey Mountain, the Red Rocks, Pantoneys Crown, the list goes on. Of course the Colo is chock a block full of scrambles. Pretty much any of the passes, other than the most popular, require a fair bit. Grab a copy of Brian Corlis' book Colo River Passes and Routes: A bushwalkers guide. If you want to go further afield I'd also suggest the Blue Breaks. Lots of scrambling passes, some easy, some terrifying!

[Grabeach]

And don't forget the Budawangs and Ettrema. Virtually anywhere there's clifflines, there will be scrambling.

If your looking for scrambling passes, they will often be associated with headlands or creeks, but they can also turn up in the oddest places. Another method is to join some of the bigger bushwalking clubs and ask around for their 'specialist' on the area your interested in. You may find they already programme suitable walks.

Not sure about the nuts, cams and pitons. I think that's moved right out of the realm of scrambling and into rockclimbing.

[FatCanyoner]

Not sure about the nuts, cams and pitons. I think that's moved right out of the realm of scrambling and into rockclimbing.

Agreed. A 20m handline, a tape harness and a couple 'biners would be the most equipment you'd be using for rock scrambling. It's definitely moved on to climbing if you start placing protection.

[jonnosan]

For a half day (or less) walk with a lot of easy scrambling I'd suggest the devils hole track. Park on Essendene rd, go down below the chock stone to the NPWS sign, take the right hand fork follow it to the fire trail, turn left at the fire trail, follow it up 1km till there is a cairn which marks the scramble up to Mt Rennie tunnel, (33°43.796'S, 150°17.118'E) then follow the faint trail past the tunnel entrance up (using an old chain to help with one scramble ) to the bottom of the cliff line where you join the southern fork of the Devils trail. Follow this past the old waterboard ladders, across the creek, and pick up the devils hole track again, coming out eventually at the NPWS sign, then head back up to your car. If you go at a reasonable pace and don't have too many issues with navigation it should be a 2 hr round trip, plus whatever time for breaks and exploring.

[DaveNoble]

Scrambling does not involve major use of protection or abseiling. A rope (or tape) if used is to make it easier for others in the party to follow (as a handline) or for pack hauls. Scrambling can be dangerous - holds can break off, loose blocks can pull off and fall on people below and the scrambler can fall off and die or be injured. So care and caution are advised.

A lot of canyon exits involve scrambling (and also there is a lot of scrambling in many canyons). Scrambling is also needed for a lot of off track bushwalks in the Blue Mountains and other areas with cliffs like the Budawangs. Being able to scramble means you can get to a lot of places that you otherwise may not get to. Many bushwalkers acquire scrambling skills over the years. You can build up your ability and confidence by doing some actual rock climbing (indoor or outdoor).

Some good scrambles -

Sublime Point at Leura
Mt Solitary - Katoomba - the usual tarck from the Ruined Castle. On the way up, leave the track and try and follow the skyline - there is some great scrambling here, not too hard with a weekend pack on
Wolgan - and Capertee Valley - many of the passes require scrambling
Colo - again a place with a lot of scrambling passes

Dave

[featherplucker]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their replies. I'v got a lot of exploring to do! Cheers!