Bob suggested a visit to this canyon. A warm day was forecast, and this was one that did not involve too much bushwalking to get to and from.
Some history. I was on the trip that made the first descent of Whungee Wheengee Canyon. On that trip – an overnight canyoning trip with SUBW from Mt Wilson to visit the upper and lower constrictions of Yarramun Creek were Tony Norman, Airdrie Long, Brad Phillips, Michael Doherty and myself. After camping in Yarramun Creek, at the end of the lower constriction, we discussed options for the route back to Mt Wilson. Most of the party decided to head back via Whungee Wheengee Creek, but Michael Doherty and myself were not keen on doing the long swims in Wollangambe Canyon so we decided to head back via a route much closer to a known pass on the southern side.
In those days, the lower constriction of Whungee Wheengee was well known to us. We would often park our lilos and walk up it on Wollangambe Canyon trips. We thought that the lower constricted section was likely to be all there was in the creek that was canyon.
Michael Doherty and myself headed back, and descended via what is now known as the Waterfall of Moss Canyon. However, we only had a 20 m scrambling rope. and I can recall we climbed out and followed ledges around to another possible descent route – which is right opposite a common exit from Wollangambe Canyon. This pass, is now used as the access route to the Waterfall of Moss Canyon.
When we arrived back at Mt Wilson, we had to wait a few hours for the rest of the party to get back. They told an amazing tale of having found long sections of cold dark canyon. Airdrie had named it Whungee Wheengee Canyon, in order for it to be deliberately confusing with Wheengee Whungee Canyon near Kanangra Walls.
Back to the Waterfall of Moss. I could recall making one trip down it – and not being very impressed by it. I regarded it more of a crack than a true canyon. Bob, also could recall a trip down it, many years before, with Ian Cantle. This would have been in either the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. It is likely that this trip was the first descent of the canyon. They had not bothered to give it a name.
So, back to the present. We set off from the Cathedral of Ferns at Mt Wilson and were soon at the Wollangambe River. We crossed with deep wade and then climbed up the pass on the north side. We were soon on ledges above the canyon and it didn’t take long to reach the first drop.
Then followed a series of abseils. The first four are down a small side creek. These all seem to have awkward overhanging sections making them tricky. The best of these is the third abseil down through a natural arch.
The last of these abseils takes you into the main creek, which as I said above is more of a crack than a true canyon. The crack probably follows a joint line. This part involves another four abseils.
On the second last abseil, Bob thought a chockstone moved as he abseiled over it. I found to later that others have found the same thing.
We soon reached the Wollangambe again. One long swim and then a deep wade brought us to the base of the pass which we had come down on our way to the canyon. It was shady and cool here – so we had lunch before starting the hot climb back to the Cathedral of Ferns.
For the canyon – we used a 45 m rope which was plenty. A 40 m rope would probably also be OK.
This was a pleasant outing, but my opinion of the canyon remains unchanged. Not that special.