Last weekend a few of us headed out for a weekend of canyoning in the Northern Blue Mountains. In the party besides myself were John, Jasper, Keith, Enmoore and Roscoe.
On Saturday, we headed out into Gardens of Stone National Park and visited a nice easy canyon. We walked in with full packs, and dumped the packs on the tops above the canyon, and then descended into the canyon.
We went through the canyon and then climbed out on the opposite side and went out to some interesting pagodas and cliffs for the views and for some photography. The cliffs overlooked the Wolgan Valley.
Then we went back down into the canyon and another climb out to get back to our packs. Next we headed out to the cliffline once more, to the rim of the Wolgan Valley, and we found a nice place for a high camp.
Some others in the party then joined us. They had been climbing that day near Mt York. This was Chuin Nee, Brent, Su Li, Martin and Steffy.
It was time for a bit of late afternoon photography – concentrating on the cliffs and rock formations.
When the sun set it was time to sit around the fire, enjoy some wine and crackers and cheeses and enjoy the company of the party.
I got up early for sunrise – but it was not particularly good.
After breakfast, we packed up and walked back out to the car and then drove to Galah Mountain where we parked for Rocky Creek Canyon.
I was keen to head into Rocky Creek for some photography. John and Chuin Nee wanted to take their young son Jasper through the canyon (he is only 18 months old) – so we set off for the canyon, while the rest of the party set off for it via nearby Twister Canyon.
Lots of other canyoners were about, and is was a fine sunny day.
The fine sunny weather was nice – but not that helpful for canyon photography. The lighting in the canyon was very contrasty and it was hard to avoid photographing a scene without a burnt out (over-exposed) area. I had to crouch down close to the canyon wall or shoot into an area that was lit by reflected light.
It was also very cold down the canyon. Or it seemed very cold. Perhaps the cold was due to lack of acclimatisation – being for all of us – our first really wet canyon of the season. Or perhaps the water temperature was a little cooler than is normal for December?
Also – little Jasper did not like the canyon. Despite being well wrapped up, and with a helmet and floatation vest, and in a little boat. He was screaming! Perhaps being a bit older than last canyon season (when he visited Dargans Ck, Grand and Clatterteeth Canyons) – he may be more self aware and voice his disapproval with being in a canyon? So mum and dad decided to take him back out to the start of the canyon.
I headed through, taking photos and then returned the same way, back up the canyon. Most of the others, that had been through Twister, didn’t want to face more cold water – so they climbed out from one of the lower exits.
It was good to get away into the bush, have a high camp on the cliffs and visit some nice canyons.
More photos are online – Saturdays Canyon, the camp area, and Rocky Creek Canyon.
