Syrinx Area Guide

The first three pitches in particular offer superb climbing at the grade, while the final pitches provide an opportunity to explore those high balconies dominating the upper reaches of the cliff. The first two pitches are often combined.

While the first part of the climb only spends a small amount of time in the chimney, some parties have mistakenly climbed the chimney in its entirety. This is not a club that you should aspire to join.

Despite its enjoyable nature, there have been a number of serious injuries and a death on this climb. Here the start of the fourth pitch has been revised to reduce the danger of a long fall to the belay ledge.

1. 20m (10) Up chimney past a thrutchy section and belay out on the left arete. Many parties climb the rib left of the chimney instead (as per P1 of Monkey Poo), this is harder and less-well protected.

2. 20m (10) Climb wall past interesting move at 5 metres and continue to ledge on left. Some parties run the first two pitches together.

3. 35m (10) Delicately up smooth, sustained wall (there's a corner on the left and an unappetising chimney on the right). Make sure to place protection low down here as more than one good climber has smashed their ankles on the ledge after an unexpected slip. Continue up to ledge on right (old peg runner). Up arete to eventually meet chimney. Cross chimney and up 4 metres to big ledge.

4. 38m (8) The original start to this pitch, going up diagonally right from the belay was very poorly protected. Traverse 10 metres right along the ledge to a thin crack. Go up to meet the diagonal line then climb diagonally right just below the junction of grey and red rock.

5. 12m (9) Traverse right and climb a short, steep wall to a balcony belay.

6. 25m (8) Walk left along balcony and climb up second weakness.

7. 20m (7) Traverse spectacularly left to ledge, then scramble off

Positional Climb the wall and steep arete to the left of Boy Racer.

A fabulous route that is one of the harder 22s about. From 3rd Belay of Syrinx, head up to the hand traverse leading left to overhanging corner. Up this to reachy step left around roof then meander to top.

Warning Flora and Fauna: birds nesting

Sustained right-hand line starting out of 'Boy Racer'. Half of this pitch was originally aided as 'Syrinx' 'Direct Finish' by Peter McKeand and Gordon Talbett on 26-12-1968 and Chris Baxter had freed the top half of the route from above the crux on 3-12-1977.

A significantly shorter, easier and more exciting finish than the original. The u-bolt is on Hot Lonely Planet. Pitches 1 - 3. As for Syrinx, belaying to the right of the large ledge, near the painted arrow.

1. 40m (7) Climb up above the arrow then right a little and up into juggy groove and up to a small ledge on the left at 20m (third belay of Headbanger). From the left side of the ledge continue left and up past a big bucket hold and a Ubolt through the exposed orange rock, toward a guano-stained ledge. Go left and up across the top of the major corner (airy) to a small ledge on Sunday Best. Much easier but more exposed than any other Grade 7 pitch at Arapiles. Do not underestimate it.

2. 20m (7) Continue left past large hollow block and up to evade the roof and join Pitch 7 of Syrinx to finish. Scramble off as for that climb.

The route starts from the big ledge at the end of Syrinx's 3rd pitch, about 7m R of Sunday Best.

1. 21 (40m) Climb straight up to a diagonal at half height. Step left onto the smooth orange rock to a bolt. Continue up past 2 more bolts to break through the roof about 2m L of Headbanger at 4th bolt. Probably 20 for taller climbers.

A good pitch up the buttress between Syrinx and The Lute. Double ropes are useful.

1. 40m Up the initially narrow buttress just left of The Lute for about 10m to a blank wall. Traverse 2m left to some seams just right of the Syrinx chimney and go up a few metres. Move back right to the continuation line, and runners, and go up to belay level with the top of the Broken Song Wall. To get off, traverse right to the anchors of The Lute.

Warning Flora and Fauna: Bird nesting

Provides a good 4 pitch climb largely independent of Syrinx incorporating Clive’s magnificent traverse on Syrinx Direct (odd name for a traverse). There are only two short sections shared with Syrinx. As a whole, it offers good clean climbing, except for 10 metres of easy, somewhat mossy ground on the second pitch. That, as they say, will clean up with traffic, at which time we can probably add an additional star. Rope-drag can be a big issue, potentially destroying the fun on the traverse and there are many ways to slice and dice the pitch lengths and belays for pitches 2 and 3 to minimise this. This description takes a long, fairly direct second pitch finishing at an uncommon belay point. This allows for a shorter third pitch and the anchors are pretty straightforward so it’s quite an efficient option. Take lots of alpine draws or slings as most runners on pitches 2 and 3 will need a sling. Start at the obvious line 7 metres right of Syrinx, as for The Lute.

1. 35m (13) Climb the deep line 7 metres right of 'Syrinx'. From the pod at 18 metres continue straight up the steep thin line, ignoring the mossy right-hand line. Belay 2m left of a large, precariously perched boulder (The Lute traverses right below this boulder to its rap anchor).

2. 45m (11) Climb the line directly above, keeping on the left after the first few moves, to the large overhang at 10m. Traverse right immediately below the overhang into the hanging corner. Follow the corner until it merges with the scrubby line to the right. Easy but mossy for a few metres up the corner to bushes. Step left and up 3 metres to the long ledge on Syrinx. Rather than belay here, climb up right to the short corner with the arrow marking. Belay on the right at the top of the corner on the narrow ledge.

3. 30m (8) Pull up the little wall above the belay then step left and up, moving a little left until level with the ledge on the right which is the belay for Headbanger. Now go left and up past a big bucket hold and a U-bolt, moving left through the exposed orange rock to the prominent guano-stained ledge (long sling on runners on the guano ledge). Continue left and up across the top of the major corner (airy) to a small ledge on Sunday Best. Awesome easy traverse but probably not suitable for beginners.

4. 20m (7) Continue left past hollow block to evade the roof and then up to join Pitch 7 of Syrinx to finish. Scramble off as for that climb.

An old climb which is just too vegetated and chossy.

Start as for The Lute but at 18m continue up the mossy vegetated line for two 35m pitches to join Syrinx at it's third belay. Finish as for Syrinx.

This good, sustained variant on the old route has become popular as a single pitch option. Bridge the deep line 7 metres right of 'Syrinx'. At 18m continue straight up the steep thin line (the original followed the r-hand line). At 35 metres, traverse right below a large balanced boulder to ledge and rap anchor(35m rap).

Note: Don't touch the boulder, you should cross below it. It would have been better if the new rap anchors had been placed in the line rather than on the traverse.

This fine climb varies considerably from the original climb but is much better. Start as for 'The Lute Direct'.

1. 50m (13) As for 'The Lute Direct', bridging the deep line 7 metres right of Syrinx. At 20 metres continue straight up the steep thin line. At 40 metres, traverse 10 metres right on small ledges past a several anchors of old pegs to a larger part of the ledge and chains ( the 'Broken Song' anchor).

2. 35m (16) Up left-facing shallow corners to the smooth wall at 12 metres. Step right then up the delicate, bolt-protected wall. Move back left and climb the steep, juggy weakness to easier ground and a ledge beside The Belvedere. The original start to this pitch was well to the right, followed a ramp then made a long traverse back left to the steep, juggy weakness.

3. 45m (10) Polished juggy wall just left of The Belvedere to join 'Syrinx' at the overhang. Scramble easily off right.

A good pitch. Now has two bolt anchor.

Straight up from GB's anchor for 10m past 1 BR (staple). The lichen is gone but there's not much other gear apart from the bolt. New anchor (2017)

The finger-shredding sickle starting two metres right of 'Greasy Burritos', veering left into that climb.

As for Break a Leg. When at basin, move leftwards past bolt(19) to lower off.

All trad. Start at seam 2m left of Broken Song up past bulge. Up line to headwall and into shallow basin stance, wish yourself good luck then step right into seam and up on small holds to lower off. The finish seams unlikely and is committing.

Hard moves down low and glorious rock on the headwall. Could be done in one pitch but the cruxes are at the beginning and end.

Start: Start about 8m right of 'Greasy Burritos' from a diagonal ramp.

1. 22m (21) Step out left from the ramp and climb past FH into seam and follow it until it eases. Belay on a small stance below steepening (there is a better stance 4m lower but the anchors are poor).

2. 13m (21) Move up and step left below the headwall. Rock up the headwall past 2FH on some of the finest stone anywhere to large ledge and rap anchor.

This good continuation for 'Broken Song' finally tackles the big overhang above the big diagonal pitch of 'Syrinx'.

1. 40m (21) As for 'Broken Song'.

2. 30m (16) As for pitch 3 of 'Deathwatch Beetle'.

3. 30m (14) Up wall, veering left. Juggy groove leads to ledge out left.

4. 18m (22) Twin cracks then through roof (big cam). Walk off to right.

Nice technical climbing on quality rock with good protection. Start on wide ledge, 4m right of Broken Song. Up past 2 bolts, continue up on easier ground to final headwall, trending rightwards up to lower off.

‘’We’ll give you a dink, Beau’’ A fantastic journey up Tiger Wall. Start: the next seam right of Little by Little. Begin at ground level, at the brushed streak (or step right from base of Little By Little which makes the first pitch 32m).

1. 45m Up the line, moving out right and then back left when the seam steepens. Easier ground up to the final smooth headwall, which is climbed direct (FH,crux) to a small ledge. Avoid the temptation to go 5m higher to a better looking ledge.

2. 35m A pitch of three increasingly interesting bulges. From the right side of the belay ledge climb up to the first bulge featuring a football-shaped scoop. Continue to the next bulge featuring a bolt runner, and on to the top bulge featuring a prominent crack. This leads to the ledge on the right side of the Belvedere.

3. 35m Up nice crack on right side of the slab. When it blanks out, continue direct to the headwall. A ramp leads out right to the airy prow. Up to terrace.

4. 15m Up wall to next terrace. Walk off right.

The easiest route on Broken Song Wall. Nice climbing but the ledge system breaks the flow.

Belay as for Little By Little.

Move right and go up easy ground on Riding The Quayle to ramp at 5m. Step up and go up diagonally right and up to a slight nose. Move around the left side of the nose to avoid large detached blocks and up to a large ledge that stretches off to the right. Lovely climbing up crack on left edge of ledge until it stops. Smooth wall past a FH to lower-off.

A long second pitch culminating in a fantastic finish up the centre of The Belvedere. Lots of slings and long draws to reduce drag.

1. 35m 17 As for Beetlemania but move up from the rings and belay on right-hand side of ledge. You can belay at the rap rings, but not as comfortable

2. 42m 18 Up the easy ramp above the belay for 7m, and pull over a bulge. Up to next bulge and FH (up to here is as for the second pitch of Riding The Quayle). Climb past the bolt then step left and up to the lovely orange crack leading to the overhang at the base of The Belvedere. Climb the overhang past FH and up to middle of The Belvedere and FH. Up into finishing crack in sensational position (shorter climbers may need to use the guano-stained holds to left to get going).

There are FHs on top to allow a comfortable belay as well as the rap anchor just below the top. 45m abseil to rings near top of first pitch.

Some funky moves on the first pitch but it deteriorates after that.

Starts at a steepening slabby seam about 10 metres right of 'Broken Song'. There's a faint initial S chipped in the rock on the left side of the seam, a vegetated seam 2 metres further right and then the brushed streak of "Shaggy's Route" another 2 metres to the right.

The belay at the end of the second pitch can have an active beehive. Noddy almost died after being attacked by bees at this point.

1. 15m (17) Climb the clean orange seam which is nicely technical and continue up an easy blocky arete to a ledge and belay off a huge block.

2. 27m (12) Obvious narrow chimney then up easily to belay near small cave.

3. 30m (-) Straight up to big ledge right of The Belvedere. This pitch is mostly part of 'The Wobble'.

Increasing traffic means that this route has cleaned up quite nicely. With more traffic it should become as good as the Dribble but at a higher grade and with more varied climbing.

The climb originally included a grade 18 finish through the capping overhangs which Shaggy didn't think worth writing up.

Start: Start below a cleaned streak about 15 metres right of 'Broken Song'. There may be the remains of a cairn.

1. 40m (14) Climb slabby weakness through bulge to ledge, continue straight up to big ledge. A very good pitch.

2. 35m (13) Step R onto ridge, follow straight through bulge, passing weird holes 2 m to your L. Follow large flake to gain R hand of twin cracks to another bulge, pull this and belay on top.

3. 35m (13) Climb straight through 2 juggy bulges following obvious weaknesses. Continue up to gain ledge via yet another bulge.

4. -m (-) Finish by climbing diagonally L to meet syrinx final pitch and finish up that or alternatively wander off to the right.

(Somewhat rad?) A long adventure on good rock, straight to the summit of the mount. Individual pitch grades not supplied - the overall grade is 16 but some pitches are easier.

The last pitch is in a similar vein to the forgotten final pitch of Shaggy's Route and could well have been better consigned to the same fate.

Start: Start up easy, vegetated crack about 5 metres right of Shaggy's Route. This is also the start of 'The Wobble'.

1. 30m (13) Climb the easy crack and keep in the line (via hand crack through bulge) all the way to a good ledge on the right.

2. 30m (16) Up wall to corner which leads to right side of prominent roof. Pass roof on right and continue past right edge of next roof. Bridge up line until a ledge appears on the left.

3. 30m (10) Straight up line. Belay below long horizontal line of overhangs.

4. 20m (12) Move left and up past left edge of overhangs to terrace. Up wall immediately left of trees to nice orange alcove.

5. 40m (16) Up wall to long roofline on the left. Traverse 2.5 metres right at the roof and up past its right edge. Up easily, veer right, then up wall direct to summit block. Bridge up undercut corner on the left.

The challenge of this old route, should you choose to accept it, is working out where it goes.

Start as for 'Radish'.

1. 36m (5) Up the easy corner and then traverse right around the buttress to the next line. Up this, or face on left to next ledge.

2. 24m (5) Climb short corner then step left and traverse left below overhangs to belay.

3. 15m (5) Traverse left again under bulge and up through weakness(this is probably a few metres left of the second pitch of Shaggy's Route) to a ledge level with the Eagle's Nest, a prominent nose of rock to the right. Now left and up again to the next ledge.

4. 15m (5) Up wall to a huge ledge with buttresses rising on both sides.

5. 30m (5) Up by the lefthand buttress, The Belvedere, and up to join 'Syrinx'. Scramble off right.

Ruthless cleaning, trundling and bolting have brought this climb back to popular notice. A good effort all around.

It's a pity that the route hasn't been set up with a rap route as the last pitch is pretty poxy and then there's the walk-off.

Start below the first clean streak left of Pan Grove, above the clear-felled area.

1. 35m (8) Slabby seam then easy climbing to lovely thin crack. Follow crack then step right and up to stance.

2. 20m (11) 'Steep' off the belay and up to ledge. Move right and follow crack through overhang and up to good ledge.

3. 50m (10) Superb crack to a ledge and double bolt belay.

4. 15m (7) Manky wall to large ledge then short wall to next large ledge. Walk off right.

So-so. Second pitch is OK.

Start: Scramble across to a line about 3 metres right of The Dribble's second pitch overhang.

1. 25m (14) Line 3 metres right of 'The Dribble' to belay on loose blocks

2. 30m (17) Step left from ledge and up to groove bounding left side of upper wall. Onwards to scrubby ledge. Scramble off down right to rappel.

A gentle romp that could serve as an alternative start to The Dribble.

Up the Pan Grove slab to whitish blocks at 15m. Instead of moving right (as for Pan Grove), continue following the left-leaning groove. When the groove peters out, step slightly right and finish in the obvious groove. Note: the steep bulging crack on the right is lovely to start, but the finishing blocks are a bit dodgy. Belay on the Senior Citizens terrace and descend Pan Grove.