Davies Canyon, Kanangra Boyd National Park

23-24 Jan 2010

 

All content copyright © Ashley Burke 2010. Not to be copied, duplicated or used for any purpose without permission.

 

Davies Canyon is one of the most spectacular gorges in the Blue Mountains. More of a gorge than a canyon, a descent of Davies Canyon involves 3-4 abseils of around 60m plus a few lesser abseils. It takes a full day to complete the canyon and, after a night camped in Whalania Creek, the best part of a second day to complete the climb out to conclude the trip. The major abseils, particularly the first one, are spectacular, as the gorge plummets a sheer 60m into a tremendous deep trench.

We did this canyon on the weekend of 23-24 Jan 2010.

Party: Ashley Burke, Rachel Melrose, Glen Charlier, David Kyle, Douglas Bock, Tony Ruzek

We entered the creek fairly high up and then clambered our way through the upper gorge, which was very pleasant.

Working our way down the upper gorge.

A stretch of creek in the upper gorge.

While working our way through the upper gorge there were some short swims and wades, but because it was such a hot day, these were very welcome.

Then we came upon this prow of rock which overhung the first tremendous drop. We abseiled directly off this rock face.

In this photo, Glen is about to head down.

Douglas on the first abseil.
Douglas on the first abseil.
Rachel on the first abseil.
Rachel on the first abseil.
Tony on the first abseil.
Tony on the first abseil.
David on the first abseil.
David on the first abseil.
Not far further down the gorge is the immense second abseil. Rachel peers down.
Rachel coming down the second abseil.
Rachel coming down the second abseil.
Rachel coming down the second abseil.
Skirting the edge of this beautiful pool at the bottom of the second abseil.
David coming down the second abseil.
Rachel on a relatively short abseil.
Rachel on the last huge abseil, abseiling left-handed now because by now her right hand is broken!!
On the following day after a long climb out we wander through misty subalpine forest on the Boyd plateau.
Today's weather is very different to yesterday with a cool damp mist among the trees.
We pick up an old trail which makes its way through a ferny glade.

[Top]

 

This web page created on 25 Jan 2010, last updated 25 Jan 2010.

All content copyright © Ashley Burke 2010. Not to be copied, duplicated or used for any purpose without permission.