I was going canyoning with Bob and Doug. A hot day was forecast, so we headed to Mt Tomah and Claustral Canyon.
We set off from the carpark about 9:30 am, and were soon on the track down to the canyon. At the first waterjump, we used a rope to descend –
Here is Bob on the swim just after the second waterjump –
We met another party, of two, at the abseils at Calcutta Falls, and they wanted to take photos, so they let us overtake them. Here is Doug on the first abseil –
And a photo of Bob on that abseil from the bottom –
Doug on the second abseil –
And Bob on that abseil –
And now Doug on the third abseil –
Looking up the third abseil –
Doug swimming into the Black Hole –
The Black Hole –
And now photos on the great section of constricted canyon between the Ranon and Thunder junctions –
And after the junction of Thunder Canyon, we visited Ol’s Overhang, a nice camp cave.
The historic graffiti is still present (dating from the mid 1960’s). This one says “Dirty Dave Lambert” –
Dave Lambert was in the party with Barry Dunnett, that made the first descent of Ranon Brook in 1963. The trip was one by the Kameruka Bushwalking Club. The next bit of graffiti says “Go Home Kameruka” –
We continued on and soon arrived at the Tunnel Swim –
And then there are still some more obstacles to negotiate –
The last bit of the canyon, and the traverse around to Rainbow Ravine was covered in leaves and bits of fallen tree. Probably due to a rescue helicopter in the area the day before.
We climbed up Rainbow Ravine to a shady spot for lunch. Then more climbing up to the Camels Hump. Here is are some Aboriginal sharpening grooves near the track –
And a Large Tongue Orchid (Cryptostylis subulata) on the walk out the last bit –
This had been an excellent day. I was keen on going as lightweight as I could – so had not taken a large camera and tripod. All photos were taken with an iPhone. I thought the results were reasonable, and the camera phone is certainly very convenient, being waterproof. But looking at the photos on full zoom – they do lack details compared to a large camera.