This is a climbing/canyoning trip for the October long-weekend. The general plan is to do single pitch sport climbing on 2 of the days and do an easy canyon on the other day. It is beginner friendly but the number of inexperienced participants will need to be balanced against how many more experienced members sign up.
Final choices will be weather dependent, but the plan is to leave Canberra early-ish on Saturday morning and drive to the Blue Mountains to spend the afternoon at an easy-to-access crag for single pitch sport climbing (so we don't waste too much time walking in/out). Crags could include Barden's lookout or another Mt Victoria area, Shipley or Porter's Pass at Blackheath. On Sunday we will either do a longer canyon or climb and on Monday we will either do a shorter canyon or climb somewhere easily accessible before driving home to Canberra. I'm looking at potential canyons that don't require abseiling such as the Dry Canyon + Glow Worm Tunnel, Deep Pass Canyon loop, or Dargan's Creek Canyon (which could be combined with climbing at Dam Cliffs). There are also some relatively shorter canyons that do require abseiling which may also be worth considering such as Grand Canyon and Empress Canyon.
October may still be pretty cold, so the forecast will definitely influence which canyon we're willing/able to do and choices of climbing areas. There are also alternative abseiling adventures we can do as a substitute for canyoning such as Malaita Wall and Boar's Head Rock, or a steep walk with staircase sections around the Wentworth Falls Track (this is a tourist walk with some parts adjacent to Empress Canyon). In any case, you will need to have suitable climbing and canyoning gear and you may not be able to rely on the ANUMC gear store for some of the essentials if items are booked by other members. At a minimum for climbing and canyoning you will need a helmet, wetsuit, thermals (these are for warmth in canyons so will get wet if used), climbing/canyoning harness (assume it will get wet), suitable backpack (assume it will get wet), 2 waterproof dry bags, climbing shoes, canyoning shoes (i.e. footwear that is suitable for use in and around water including slippery surfaces and sandy areas), 3 or 4 locking carabiners, a safety leash/PAS, figure 8 descender, short sling (20-60cm for extending figure 8 away from your belay loop), 2 prusik cords, and a belay device.
We will camp at Cathedral of Ferns reserve campground at Mt Wilson (which is free and has good access to canyoning areas and some climbing areas). For camping you will need at a minimum a tent (or other people with a suitable tent you are all willing to share), sleeping mat, sleeping bag, cooking gear, plate/bowl and cutlery, plus food, snacks and water for at least the first day. We are planning on eating out both of the nights, but don't feel obliged if you wish to cater for yourself. Also worth noting that the campground at Mt Wilson is quite far from shops (30-45 minute drive) so please plan accordingly.
This trip is being run in conjunction with Amelia's canyoning trip so we will try to coordinate transport, food and camping arrangements, plus it gives us the opportunity to swap participants around, or find alternatives if the weather is poor. We have a large number or people already registered which could put some stress on the logistics and availability of gear from the ANUMC gear store, so please only register if you are certain you can come and are able to bring the required gear, and give as much notice as possible if you can no longer attend.