NOTE: THE GO-AHEAD FOR THIS TRIP IS CONTINGENT ON THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AS WELL AS THE RELAXATION OF THE CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS! AS SUCH:
DO NOT ATTEND ACTIVITIES IF YOU:
- you are feeling unwell
- have flu-like symptoms
- have travelled internationally in the last 14 days
- have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- your health is considered high risk
Location: Lost Vegas
Note: The date listed is a placeholder for the real date when the right conditions present themselves.
I would like to head to the Lost Vegas crag sometime in June - August during, or just after snowfall in the area. The idea is to get accustomed to climbing under the less than ideal conditions you would experience when mountaineering or alpine cragging, without the added complexity of having to use your own protection. Plus, it's an interesting day out and the area is quite scenic in snow.
For those who haven't been there, Lost Vegas is a single pitch crag located in a valley under the shadow of Mt Coree, and is accessed via turning onto old mine road from the Brindabella Road then continuing along Blue Range Road. An AWD is recommended for this trip. Because the main cliff is slightly overhanging, and the cliff face is angled in several different directions, at least some of the cliffline is likely to be dry under snowy conditions.
Because we'll only be single pitch sport cragging, bailing off climbs rapidly is feasible if weather conditions worsen to the extent that continuing climbing becomes dangerous. That being said, the need to escape quickly if conditions worsen necessitates a minimum level of fitness for all participants to be able to hike out of the crag (300-400m of elevation) without stopping as well as being able to bail off the climbs and retrieve gear quickly if required. Additionally, all participants will want to be either climbing or belaying to avoid getting cold.
Mandatory skills:
1. Lead belaying.
2. Cleaning
3. Bailing off carabiners
4. Navigating with poor visibility (using Phone GPS/compass)
Recommended skills:
1. Lead climbing (Majority of participants must be able to do this).
2. Experience off-roading (drivers only).
3. Experience driving under icy conditions (drivers only)
4. First aid
5. Being able to light fires in wet/alpine climates (for emergencies).
Optional skills:
Trad climbing - there are a few trad routes at the crag with parallel sport routes you could use as redundant protection if anyone wants to practice true alpine climbing.
Required gear.
1. Climbing harness
2. Climbing helmet
3. Climbing shoes
4. Chalkbag
5. 3* Heatwarmers - to go in chalkbag when climbing (the ones with the chemical reactions work better than the microwave versions for this activity.
6. at least 2 thermal underlayers
7. Soft shell layer (i.e. puffercoat) rated for snow
8. Hard shell layer (i.e. rain coat) rated for snow
9. Thermal bottoms
10. Trousers/ski pants
11. Headtorch
12. Dynamic ropes (at least 60m, 70m gives access to more routes for this crag)
13. quickdraws
14. Water
15. Food
16. Gloves
17. Woolen socks *2 (or equivalent)
Optional gear:
1. Camera
2. Trad rack
3. Neckwarmers
4. Thin beanies (to go under helmet)
5. More thermal underlayers
6. Two prussik loops
Because of the uncertainty surrounding the date, number of drivers and overall level of party experience please treat your sign up as an expression of interest. Anyone able to lead belay is welcome to apply but people able to lead will be prioritised. I will also be limiting the number of participants who I don't know at all on the trip to 3.
Finally, I will need a co-leader for this trip so if any someone interested in this trip who I know, would like to be in this role, please contact me via messenger, text message or email. (u5581638@anu.edu.au, 0425555219).
Park on Blue Range Road at the junction with the Genges trail. Walk down the Genges trail for 200-400m then turn right onto a trail leading down to the crag. Return from the crag via the same route.