Reply To: A beginner’s guide to climbing Hellfire Gully (Bluff Knoll)

As mentioned above, we took the kitchen sink on our most recent trip. However, what proved most useful:

• 2x60m ropes – if you want to do the 50m pitches described in the mini-guide, you need these.
• Stoppers/hexes – a full range of medium stoppers (4-12) and hexes (4-10) would provide most of the protection you need.
• Cams – take whatever you have. We mainly used C4s, 1-0.3.
• Alpine quickdraws – 12-14 of these (instead of sport quickdraws). Useful for cutting down the rope drag, plus you can dismantle one if you need a biner or sling.

Plus some spare slings and maybe a cordalette each. Your most comfortable climbing shoes; you’ll be in them all day. I found having a hydration bladder in my backpack made the climbing easier, too.