Bob and I headed up the mountains for a trip through Mt Hay Canyon.
At the carpark, near Mt Hay, we were surprised to see two other cars there – we thought we would have the canyon to ourselves on a mid week day. We packed our gear and set of down the track, across the hanging swamp and then down a small bluff into a side gully. Then three abseils to arrive at Rocky Points Ravine – our creek. On the way down the side gully, we passed the other party – two members of which I knew – Les and John. We had a friendly chat as we passed by.
The canyon beings with a tricky down climb and then a swim. It is the longest swim in the canyon and certainly cools you down! Then a short abseil follows and you arrive at the big drop. This is best done as two abseils – an abseil onto a large chockstone and then another abseil for it. Both Bob and myself could remember doing the canyon in the 1970’s when the belay point off the chockstone was a single carrot bolt – that was bent and loose. To keep it in place -someone had jammed an old spoon into the rock next to the bolt. Dodgy to say the least! But canyoners used this bolt for many years.
We got through the canyon quickly and continued down the creek to the short lower abseil. It was still early, so we kept on going around to Tom William’s pass, which has now become the usual exit. Both Bob and myself were on the trip where Tom and pioneered the way up this pass and we could ask remember the exposed rock climbing section. Before this route was found, parties had to descend all the way to the Grose River, walk up stream to Blue Gum Forest and the climb out via Lockleys Pylon. A long day!
on this trip, we had lunch at the top of Butterbox Point and from there only had a short walk back to the car.
A good day! More photos are on my website here.