Trip report: SUBW intermediate canyoning trip

 

Dates: 01/05/2021-02/05/2021

Participants: SUBW and me (Paul and Geoff's group)

 

The day started very early for me, as I was unable to join the group the day before due to university commitments. Waking up at 4, I made my way to Newnes campground, almost hit a wombat on the way. When I arrived at the campground (which was very easy to located thank to a sign that had our group name on it), I thought that I was on time because I did not see a lot of people there. The truth was that most of the other groups had left already. Nonetheless, I was more than happy to join Paul and Geoff's group for the trip to Devil Pinch Canyon. 

 With Jen who joined us for the walk!

We crossed the Wolgan river and set off to Pipeline track, that was also when I realised that the track looked oddly familiar, turned out I walked the track already when I joined Felix's Newnes Canyoning track! 

However, the track was still as steep as I could remember, only difference was, I reached the top faster than last time, which felt really good. We had a quick snack and water break at the same spot, the scenery was still as amazing as the first time I enjoyed. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Jen, as she headed back to the campground. 

We got lost a bit finding the way to Devil Pinch entrance, I wasn't worry as much since I knew that Paul and Geoff already did the canyon before. At the first abseil, while having lunch, we were surprised to find out that Sabs and Dean's group were still at the first abseil, and Paul expressed some concerns that they would finish their second canyon, Starlight canyon at dark. We would be safe since our group would only do Devil Pinch. 

Entrance to the canyon

Coming out from an injury, the first abseil was quite nervous for me, we abseiled down a pool that was waist depth. 

 I love the constrictions formation, its nature sculpted curve was like paintings looking from below. As our group mostly consisted of beginners, we made our way slowly down and through the canyon, which allowed me to enjoy the canyon even more. 

Finishing the first section, the canyon opened up and we made our ways through a lot more constrictions.

 Sliding and squeezing through, I noticed that there were a lot of moss in these ones compared to the entrance. They added a very cool feeling. 

Squeezing and sliding, it was very fun making our way through the canyon

The second abseiling was more exciting, we had to go over a large rock, and for some of the members, it was their first time going under an overhang. 

Laura was very nervous before the abseil but she was very happy that she landed safely

The walk became even more exciting, as we swam through several sections. 

It was getting pretty chilly inside 

We came out and had another snack and water break, before descending to Wolgan river. When we reached the river, it started to look darker, as the sun had set. We walked along the river until we could find the fire trail that led us back to the car park where Jen was waiting. 

While changing our clothes, we met Martyr and his group, and decided to walk together back to the car park. There were concerned that Sabs still did not arrive at the fire trail, so everyone agreed to leave a walkie talkie at the gate so that Sabs could use when he came out. We walked to the gate in the dark, with the starry sky above us. We were surprised that Aidan, another group leader, was waiting for everyone, what a good leader he was. He decided to wait for Sabs and so I went back in Jen's Car with everyone else.

I was very excited to have a hot bath at the campground, and making pizza with everyone. Some got very creative with their pizza, while I just put some tomatoes, cheese and franks with my limited chopping skill. Enjoying the pizza by the fire, which Aidan called a nature television (which had only one channel so we wouldn't need to change!), the club discussed about how their day went.

The next day we had a very relaxing morning, and decided to divide into two groups. One would tackle the challenging Nightmare canyon and the other would have a slow day with a walk to the Newnes Gloworm tunnel. I joined the other group as I did not want to leave the place after sunset. The walk was wonderful, and I'm glad I joined another SUBW trip.

  

An ascent, but it was not too hard

Amazing landslide scenery

 

Our lunch view

The scenery changed a bit as we get closer to the tunnel

We arrived at the tunnel!

Geronimo Canyon (video)

 Geronimo canyon with Wollemi wanderers. I made a video since I dropped my phone in the last section of the canyon and lost all my photos. The trip was amazing though and the water was so cool. Couldn't join Horseshoe canyon the next day.

 

Coachwood and Windows Canyons

Date: 29/08/2020-30/08/2020

Duration: 2 days

Group: Wollemi Wanderers

 

First day: Coachwood canyon

 I joined another Wollemi Wanderers canyoning trips! It gave a very different feeling to SUBW's because Phil, the trip leader is a more rigid person. He picked me up at Lewisham station and drove to Zig Zag railway station first then Barcoo campground to meet with everyone in the trip. The sky was exceptionally gorgeous, there were no clouds and it was very clear. 

We explored Coachwood canyon on the first day. Walking along the cliff lines, I was very excited as I brought a wetsuit and was ready to use it the first time for today. Its interesting watching the strong epicormic growing of the trees in the area. 

We dropped down to Coachwood forest via a hidden track down from a cliff. It was a very clear track, surprisingly. The forest was very beautiful. It stood between two magnificent cliffs and had plenty of cracks to explore. I ended up explored one of the cracks. It was like going under tunnels! As the name expected, there were a lot of Coachwood trees in the forest. 

The crack we explored

We walked for around 4 km and passed a creek to our first abseil. Phil and I was the only ones who put on our wet suit! It felt very tight but warm at the same time. The first abseil wasn't wet at all. However, I dropped down to the canyon which was amazing. Although it certainly was wider than most of the canyons than I went and opened up quite a bit, it the rocks walls on the two sides certainly gave it a canyon feeling.

 

 Approaching the canyon

Entering the canyon via the first abseil

I walked to the second abseil, this was a little bit longer and it dropped down from a waterfall into a pool! 

Finally I can get wet! As I abseiled down, I realised that it was only knee-depth. Still, my wetsuit kept me warm and I also put on my rain jacket. 

 

The second abseil, it was getting chiller 

 The third and fourth abseils required a bit of climbing but they both dropped down from waterfalls! In the end I abseiled down three waterfalls! I landed on a log for both the third and fourth ones and was able to not get too wet! We ended in the Rocky creek. 

 The second abseil was more difficult, we went over a log

 The canyon was beautiful

 

The last abseil

From which I know there is another canyon! But we didn't do that since we don't have time. We had lunch in a sunny spot and I was able to change clothes. 

Crossing Rocky Creek to lunch spot

We had to walk downstream on Rocky creek for a fair distance. The interesting part when we walked along the creek is the abundant of quick sand. One of our group members got sank to his hip and it was hilarious. I tried to walk on loge or rocks. Never trust any sand! 

 

 The sand looked sturdy but be careful! They sank

 Members found a log to walk on so we could avoid the sinking sand

We arrived at one ramp which we walked up and arrived at a junction. Phil couldn't figure out the GPS so we just walked up to the top of the ramp which ended at the cliffs. From there, Phil finally figured out his GPS and could lead us to the rock climbing spot that he had been talking about. We passed a huge boulder and did a lot of scrambling! We arrived at the cliff that according to Phil was very exposed. Luckily for me I'm not afraid of heights and while climbing up, I turnt around and was able to get some really nice photos! 

We spent another hour and a half to walk back to our car. It was a very pleasant walk. 

Returning to the campsite, which is called Barcoo swamp campground. I set up the tent and spent the whole night with the group by our bonfire. Could not ask for anything more than this.

 
Day 2: Windows canyon

 

The day started early at 7:30, although most of us were already awake at 6:00 am as Pete, Phil's friend who were also camping at the campsite cooked a really nice egg and bacon breakfast that gave out a really nice fragrance. I love how they have an early morning fire which definitely warmed me up. We left the campsite and drove along Old coach road to the car park.

 The track to Windows canyon were the same with Tigersnake and Penrose Gully. We passed through Penrose Gully canyon actually. 

 

 

Pagodas could be seen

The view as we approached Windows canyon changed quite quickly, with lots of pagodas sticking up. The first abseil down the canyon was quite lovely. 

There were a small stream and the section opened up quickly. 

We walked down a creek to the second section of the canyon. 

Surprisingly, an oasis with a little waterfall popped up out of nowhere, in the middle of a very burnt out place. That was interesting! 

 The creek led us to the second and last section of Windows canyon. There was a double abseil down to the middle of the canyon. The first part I had to squeezed myself through a rock blockage down to a knee-deep pool. The pool looks beautiful but other people were waiting so I couldn't take a picture of it. After that, I abseiled down another pool along a stream. Standing under and look at the two abseils made me realised how beautiful the canyon is. 

 

 

 We finally reached the famous "Windows" or the Windows canyon. It was a rock arch looking down at a pool, and we were going to abseil under the arch. The view from the last abseil was amazing, especially looking down the clear pool through the "windows" while abseiling down. 

We had lunch with a spectacular view of the Wolgan valley. 

After lunch, we finished the canyon with a final abseil down a cliff. I got stuck on a tree but manage to de-tangle myself. 

The walk back up was very easy. We followed the old railway track back to Old coach road.

 At one part we found out a land slide which was caused by the bushfire destroying all the trees. This made the track to completely disappeared. We walked around and arrived at Old coach road. From there although the track was steep it was very luxurious in that the track was very well paved. Another successful trip on my list! I must say this was a very exciting trip since this is my first time canyoning with a wetsuit!

The view up to was so amazing