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Kanangra-Boyd
canyoning
Clint Killen Feb 98
On the 8th and 9th of February myself along with nine other
intrepids attempted to complete two of the hardest canyons in the
Blue mountains in one weekend. All Australian canyons are graded
from one to six; grade one being very easy through to grade six
being extreme. The two canyons attempted, Danae Brook and Kanangra
Falls, were both graded six and each described in the guide book
as requiring a high level of fitness to be completed in the one
day.
For those unfamiliar, the process of canyoning involves hiking to
the top entrance of the canyon (often hard to find) and then with
the use of static ropes making your way to the bottom. This involves;
abseiling over waterfalls, large jumps, swims, duck|unders, tricky
down climbs and a lot of co|operation.
The walls of canyons are often very close together and the canyon
floors quite deep. This creates a mystical enclosing environment
of semi-darkness with the occasional beam of light knifing its way
through to the canyon floor. A great atmosphere!
My fondest memory of the two days was coming down over Kanangra
Falls, which to put into scale is higher than the Sydney Harbour
Bridge. The actual descent was amazing; stepping off that cliff
and staring down into the immense space below me was an image I
won't soon forget. Because our ropes are only 60 metres long, three
massive airy abseils were required down the first section. In between
each abseil we perched on small wet slippery ledges, attached to
safety lines. Our legs hanging into the void below, dwarfed by the
size of the cliff face and humbled by the presence of the waterfall
pounding down just metres away from us.
We completed both canyons successfully in the two days as planned,
each taking a blistering 12 hours. The Kanangra-Boyd region of the
Blue Mountains is an amazing part of Australia and I look forward
to returning again soon. |
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Photo: Adam Bramwell
Brad demonstrating appropriate canyoning attire - A tatty $2 St
Vinnies shirt to "protect the wetsuit" |
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