Peak Charles is a massive granite dome in the Peak Charles National Park.
Approximately 800 – 900 km east of Perth, depending on which route is taken. It is southeast of Norseman and north-north-west of Esperance. Either way, it is worth every hour of driving for the excellent rock and multi-pitch routes.
We will be camping at the DPaW campsite at Peak Charles, where facilities are basic (drop toilet only), and there is no running water, so everyone will need to be completely self-sufficient.
Access to the area involves either a few hundred km of dirt road via Lake King or about 50 km of dirt from the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway. A 4WD is handy, but as long as there has not been a lot of rain, the road is passable in a normal car if care is taken. We shall keep participants posted about weather conditions closer to the time.
A National Parks Pass is required for each vehicle to access the park. To minimise the expense, we will carpool each day whenever possible.
The crag is not well suited to setting up top ropes, and lead climbing (mostly trad) is generally required to access routes. All climbers on the trip must be independent participants who are completely responsible for themselves. Following our Public Liability insurance requirements, everyone will need to sign a Deed of Release and Indemnity and fill in a registration form so that the climbing experience can be vetted for the trip.
Any inexperienced climbers must nominate an experienced climber who will climb with them during the trip. All climbing participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or another responsible person. If you are a beginner, it might pay to read CAWA Trips for some further information or e-mail me.
Please note that CAWA trips are a benefit for members. Non-members interested in coming with you will need to join online and follow up on the registration for the trip beforehand.
Furthermore, be aware that the weather and numbers are the deciding factors of this trip, and if it is still raining (down south) shortly before the trip, then the rock will be unclimbable, and the trip will be cancelled. The final decision will be made last Tuesday before the trip. Until then, think positive and make your daily sacrifices to the rain gods.