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Trip to Kalbarri – WA long weekend 2022
3 June 2022 – 6 June 2022
Come along this June to find out why everyone keeps coming back to Kalbarri every weekend despite the long drive!
Sheer sandstone walls carved out by the Murchison River provide trad, sport climbing, bouldering and deep water soloing opportunities. Roughly 6.5-hour drive north of Perth, Kalbarri gorge is well worth the trip. Kalbarri National Park provides opportunities for trad leading in the middle and upper grades and sport climbing at a high level. You couldn’t ask for a more picturesque setting. If you haven’t been before, Kalbarri gorge is truly spectacular and just a great spot to spend a weekend. Winter is prime climbing time in the gorge with excellent friction, pleasant temperatures and no flies.
Though the areas around the Z Bend tend to attract most climbers, there is some moderate trad climbing out at Hawk’s Head. Four Ways is also another great alternative if you want to avoid the crowd, whilst the remote Wonderwall offers some deep water soloing fun and is a pleasant day hike.
Report from the last trip
We would love to see you all there. We also need to make sure that everyone is clear about what to expect of the area. Kalbarri is not an ideal venue for beginners unless they are accompanied by a suitably experienced climber. This is because access to routes will usually require lead climbing and the ability to set up top ropes is very limited. The climbing also tends to be moderate to very hard.
Guides
The main guides to the area are Northern Rock and West Australian Rock. These will give you a good idea of climbing on offer. More routes have been posted on the forum since the above publications, here are some of them:
- The Coliseum – Four Ways
- New natural route on French Wall
- 20 new routes in Kalbarri
- New route in The Pit
- New routes in Kalbarri
- New crag climbs at Kalbarri
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 which will be sent out upon committing for the trip and paying for your accommodation.
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 the registration for the trip beforehand. The trip will go ahead regardless of the weather.
Access
From Perth, head north to Geraldton, Northampton and Kalbarri. The road out to the Z Bend is now sealed and accessible by 2WD. We are very happy to help you with organising carpooling.
Weather
Check the weather forecast to choose your clothing appropriately: if the forecast announces less than 15 degrees and windy, bring that down jacket as it can be very cold in the gorge. Sunscreen can be a lifesaver as well if you’re planning to climb multi-pitches.
Accommodation
We have camping sites booked at Z-bend. Don’t hesitate with booking in, places are fairly limited.
