The long awaited Kalbarri trip is just around the corner: Friday 30th May to Monday 2nd June 2014.
The climbing
Steep sandstone walls carved out by the Murchison River provide both trad and sport climbing opportunities. Roughly six and half hour’s drive north of Perth, this unique climbing venue is well worth the trip. Kalbarri 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, the gorges are truly spectacular and just a great spot to spend the day. Winter is prime time climbing in the gorges, with excellent friction. Don’t be deceived by the weather forecast: it can be very cold in the gorge and those that had down jackets were very thankful last year.
Though the areas around the Z Bend tend to attract most climbers, there is some excellent, moderate trad climbing out at Hawke’s Head. Be aware that this great little spot requires the ability to abseil in and climb out.
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.
The main guides to the area are Northern Rock and West Australian Rock. These will give you a good idea of the climbing on offer.
The road out to the Z Bend is now sealed for the first twelve kilometres. The remaining section can be in variable condition but accessible by 2WD.
Accommodation
We have some luxurious, unpowered, hopefully a bit grassy, tent sites booked. Please let me know as soon as possible if you plan to attend so that we can ensure we have enough space to accommodate everybody. These days caravan parks require deposits, so we only book a few sites until we have numbers confirmed.
Considering that management of the Kalbarri National Park is currently under review, which includes activities deemed to pose any threat to the environment, CAWA would ask that everybody seriously consider staying in town. The sealed road makes road closure far less likely. Though camping is permitted in the gorge (mulit day hikes), Department of Parks and Wildlife would much prefer that climbers did not. In the interests of preserving our long term climbing access, we would have asked climbers to do this regardless of any review, but now it is especially important. There is particular sensitivity because one group of climbers left a lot more than footprints last year. More information will follow in another email from Dena Rao (CAWA President) shortly.
Registering Your Interest
Please register by emailing me at ricka@climberswa.asn.au. I will then send you a questionnaire to complete and provide further details. I will do my best to assist members to organise car pooling.
Please note that CAWA trips are a benefit for members. Joining online is easy, through the link on the CAWA home page.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Rick Allen
CAWA Secretary
The necessary disclaimer
CAWA is not able to provide training due to liability issues and so all climbers on the trip must be independent participants who are completely responsible for themselves. Any inexperienced climbers or participants under the age of 18 must have a parent, guardian or other responsible person to accompany them. If you are an inexperienced climber then have a chat to some of the more experienced people you know and see if they are planning to attend.