Bowens Creek North Branch, Lower Section
We were getting increasingly desperate – the season was rapidly running out and the weather forecasts remained unpromising, but we headed up the mountains in spite of last-minute drop-outs by half of the party (via incoherent sms’s received at 1am). In fact it ended up being a fairly typical weather day – overcast while we were in the canyon (ie poor light for my photos – excuses, excuses), and sunshine and high humidity for the climb out after the canyon.
Bowens Creek North Lower was the choice – last done in Nov 2007. Down the firetrail, turn right at the big termite mound and down the steep and luxuriantly vegetated gully to the stream. We suited up and pushed our way through the initial scrubby section before reaching a couple of climb-downs which were a bit more interesting with the higher water levels following all the rain. We then reached the first abseil which was straightforward, except for the fun of trying to pull down the rope while treading water. The second abseil was right beside another pounding waterfall, but fortunately there is a tiny ledge to alight on before unclipping. I pulled the rope through, tied the end on to my harness, then took a flying leap to get well away from the swirling waters at the foot of the waterfall.
After coiling the rope, we then wandered on down the lush, green, high-sided slot which is almost (but not quite) as good as Claustral Canyon. Too soon we reached the end of the canyon at the junction with Bowens Creek South, and we started up the steep exit gully with a couple of little scrambles at the bottom. Even after four years, it was vaguely familiar and I vaguely navigated the way up through the clifflines and back to the firetrail. The final section of the track back to the car – steadily and steeply uphill for 800m – was a challenge but we got there (and collapsed) four hours after setting off.
(A day later the NPWS ‘closed’ all the canyons for at least three days because of forecast heavy rains).
Bowens Creek North Lower was the choice – last done in Nov 2007. Down the firetrail, turn right at the big termite mound and down the steep and luxuriantly vegetated gully to the stream. We suited up and pushed our way through the initial scrubby section before reaching a couple of climb-downs which were a bit more interesting with the higher water levels following all the rain. We then reached the first abseil which was straightforward, except for the fun of trying to pull down the rope while treading water. The second abseil was right beside another pounding waterfall, but fortunately there is a tiny ledge to alight on before unclipping. I pulled the rope through, tied the end on to my harness, then took a flying leap to get well away from the swirling waters at the foot of the waterfall.
After coiling the rope, we then wandered on down the lush, green, high-sided slot which is almost (but not quite) as good as Claustral Canyon. Too soon we reached the end of the canyon at the junction with Bowens Creek South, and we started up the steep exit gully with a couple of little scrambles at the bottom. Even after four years, it was vaguely familiar and I vaguely navigated the way up through the clifflines and back to the firetrail. The final section of the track back to the car – steadily and steeply uphill for 800m – was a challenge but we got there (and collapsed) four hours after setting off.
(A day later the NPWS ‘closed’ all the canyons for at least three days because of forecast heavy rains).
posted by Rick at 11:19 PM
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