The MOUNT FRANKLAND trip is OPEN FOR REGISTRATION….
Saturday Friday 29 September to Monday 1 October 2012 (Queen’s Birthday weekend)
Mt Frankland is located in the Mt Frankland National Park and is about 30km north of Walpole. It’s quite a drive from Perth, probably 5 hours give or take, but in my opinion it’s well worth it.
Your CAWA trip coordinators for this trip are Tony Brebner and Mark Kleinman.
The climbing is mainly bolted slab, with many routes up to 3 pitches long, so is good if you’re looking to gain some multi-pitch experience. The routes do tend to be run-out, so people need to be fairly confident leading at the stated grade. It’s a good place for beginners and generally on CAWA trips there will be enough people around to lead the routes.
Most of the routes are bolted, but some require a mix of bolted and natural protection. Bolt plates will be required.
There’s a variety of grades starting from about 16 and up, so there’s literally something for everyone. Slab climbing requires a certain technique (and lots of faith in your shoes) so will be quite an experience if you haven’t done much before. It’s a beautiful bush setting and there are a couple of other spots you can get to after some bushwalking. Or so I’m told, I’ve always been too lazy to investigate…..
Check out the West Australian Rock or the South Coast Rock guidebook if you’d like to suss things out a bit more or there’s some information on the CAWA web at the link Mt Frankland New Climbs or at On-line Guides/Mt Frankland.
The nearest accommodation / camping area is called Fernhook Falls and it’s a really well set up campground with drop toilets, an undercover kitchen area and a lovely river nearby for smelly climbers to brave at the end of the day (there are no shower facilities). It does get cold overnight, so pack warm stuff. There is no pre-booking, so it’s a first come… We don’t expect it to be full.
To get there from Perth, drive south from Manjimup along South West Highway and then turn left onto Beardmore Road (a gravel road). Fernhook Falls campsite is about 6km in and is sign-posted on your right.
Bring your own firewood again.
You do need to bring your own food and water etc but can leave the shovel behind. Having said that, Walpole isn’t that far away (about 35km) if you do need supplies and there is other more salubrious accommodation around. There are minimal camping fees ($7 per night per person/$5 concession) that can be paid on an honour system and then you attach a tag to your tent to indicate you’ve paid. The rangers come around and check.
An email has gone out to all current CAWA members inviting them to attend. If you are interested in going, please fill in the table in the email and reply.
Please note that CAWA trips are a benefit for members. Non-members who are interested in coming with you can join online now (easiest) or on the first day of the trip.
All participants need to be ‘independent participants’. This means you are responsible for your own safety. Due to legal and liability issues, CAWA does not provide training. 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. However, as already mentioned, Mt Frankland is a good beginner’s crag as there will be plenty of people to give you a go. And unsolicited advice, of course! If you are a beginner, it might pay to read CAWA Trips for some further information.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions: tonyb@climberswa.asn.au or mark@climberswa.asn.au
Tony Brebner – CAWA President (mob 0416186510) & Mark Kleinman CAWA Committee
cawa@climberswa.asn.au
www.climberswa.asn.au