“Ooo-ohhh say can you seeeeee, by the dawn’s early liiiight?” – Star Spangled Banner

July 4th is “Independence Day” in my original country. That’s basically irrelevant because it’ll be July 3rd there, it’d be Summer – celebrated with fireworks and BBQs (not an Australian crag friendly affair), and I have very little affection left for that place at this point.

It makes a great theme for some winter climbing! Apple or cherry pie and red/white/blue.

James and I (Sam) are leading a trip to Mt. Boyce, near Blackheath, specifically the Abseil Gully and Afghan Wall: https://www.thecrag.com/climbing/australia/blue-mountains/mt-boyce

Grades range from 8-22, with ethics a melange of trad, mixed, and sport. Because you can set ropes from the top, you do not need to lead sport or trad for many of those routes.

Where/when: July 4th, 6am departure from Sydney.

Skills Required (this is an abseil-in/climb-out crag)

• Rock skills 2
• Abseil Skills 2

It will be helpful if you’ve had experience with top belaying (preferably with a guide-mode configuration). If that was gibberish, don’t worry, we are willing to help out there.

Minimum gear required:

• Personal protective – helmet, harness, PAS, belay device w/ carabiner.
• Headlamp (I’m particularly adept at hassling us to wrap up before sundown, but there’s not much light at the moment).
• WARM clothing

Please state your experience! Preference will go to those who do so (and/or those with vehicles).

Currently capping this at 12 max, pending the participation of another leader. It’s easy for us uni groups to accidentally hog an area to ourselves if we get too big.

 

Bookings