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A Crag Guide gives an extensive view of all sub areas and climbs at a point in the index. It shows a snapshot of the index heirachy, up to 300 climbs (or areas) on a single web page. It shows selected comments climbers have made on a recently submitted ascent.

At a minor crag level this should be suitable for printing and taking with you on a climbing trip as an adjunct to your guidebook.

This guide was generated anonymously. Login to show your logged ascents against each route.

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Contributors

Thanks to the following people who have contributed to this crag guide:

Cameron Roy Paul Badenoch Mike Garrett vicki

The size of a person's name reflects their Crag Karma, which is their level of contribution. You can help contribute to your local crag by adding descriptions, photos, topos and more.

Table of contents

1. Red Rock 39 routes in Crag

Summary:
Mostly Trad

Long/Lat: 137.431762, -32.730261

Unique Features And Strengths:

Good climbing on solid sandstone

Description:

Semi arid saltbush pastoral country is not where you would expect to find a quality cliff, but this little outcrop offers some solid rock.

Hot summer days are sure to be unpleasant with much of the cliff facing north. More pleasant climbing can be had on days of moderate temperature. There are some sectors facing east and west which can provide shade in the morning and evening.

Bring some bolt plates for the harder routes.

For more information, refer to Nick Neagle's guide to the Flinders Ranges.

Access Issues:

The cliff is on the Roopena pastoral lease belonging to the Nicolson family. You MUST call to ask permission to access the cliff and to get the key to the locked gate.

Phone (08) 8646 2022

Roopena pastoral lease is part of the planned expansion of the Cultana Defence training area. It is unknown exactly when this will occur, but access after this is unknown

See http://www.defence.gov.au/id/cultana/default.htm for more info.

Approach:

From Port Augusta head SW towards Whyalla.

After 24km pass the turnoff of the Eyre Highway (Ceduna, WA, etc.) Continue straight on (S) towards Whyalla.

11.9km S of here and immediately after crossing Myall Creek, turn R to Roopena homestead.

11km along this road the cliff can be seen off to the left (east) behind a locked gate and the Roopena homestead is a further 2km on to the west.

Possession of the 1:50k map of the area (PANDURRA) may be of assistance.

Ethic:

Although the environment may appear harsh and invulnerable, it takes an incredibly long time to recover from any abuse. Keep to tracks, preserve the environment and the rock. No retro-bolting or chipping.

Bad fashion will be a non-issue as you are most likely to have the cliff to yourself.

History:

Climbers have been visiting the area since the late 60s. Many of the routes (or possible lines) were marked with large letters on the cliff (many of which remain.) Subsequent routes names have often taken names beginning with these letters.

RouteGradeStylePopularitySelected ascents
1 E.R.C.

Marked with ERC at the base of the climb.

12
Trad 18m
Garth Wimbush 10 days ago

Bush-bash topout. Worthwhile climbing though.

Mike Garrett 10 days ago

Bushy topout.

2 * Caught in Slips

FA: Kim Carrigan, 1986

23
Trad 25m
3 Birdsville

FA: Dave Wagland, 1988

20 A1
Aid 25m , 7
4 Flibbertigibbet

The strenuous diagonal crack 3m from the L end of the wall. (This sounds like a free ascent of the previous route, possibly before the bolts.)

FA: Kim Carrigan, 1986

23
Trad 25m
RouteGradeStylePopularitySelected ascents
5 The Big A

FA: Ajax Greene (solo), 1977

17
Trad 22m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

17? Wow. Starts with a V1 unprotected highball.

RouteGradeStylePopularitySelected ascents
6 The Big A Last Goodbye Variant

After the bouldery start, head up slightly R to a V-notch at the top.

FA: Paul Badenoch, 2013

17
Top rope 22m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

If you're prepared to lead the start of The Big A (pad recommended), you may want to look at this.

7 Faux Pas

FA: (16A0) Colin Reece, Steve Carter, Graham Hill, 1976

FFA: Colin Reece, Eddie Ozols, Ajax Greene, 1977

18
Trad 24m
8 Trihedral
Trad Project
9 Stratagem

Much tried in '76. Several metres L of G a diagonal line leads to a roof-capped slab. Go to it.

FA: Colin Reece, Neil Smith, 1983

22
Trad 16m
RouteGradeStylePopularitySelected ascents
10 * General Aviation

Airtime likely on this one. Start at the scoops marked with GA at the bottom and follow the overhanging flake and corner up to the roof and then traverse right to top out. Take some micro cams to protect the traverse.

RS: Mike Garrett & Garth Wimbush, 2013

24
Trad Project 20m
Garth Wimbush 9 days ago

2nd after Mike. 1 Fall at the bottom, 1 fall on the traverse. Getting close!

Garth Wimbush 9 days ago

Pushed the climb through to the top, with many gear sits. Had some trouble finding adequate gear ...

11 G
11
Trad 15m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

A bit desperate through the flora.

12 M

Climb the middle of the wall 2m R of G.

FA: James Bond's Boss, years ago.,

15
Trad 15m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

One of a number of 15s harder than Victorian's Crack.

13 *** Charlie Goes Surfing

Begin L of the graffiti and a few metres R of M. Dash up the overhanging wall R of the shallow rib following bolts. Over the nose to an easier finish.

FA: Dave Brayshaw, 1984

23
Trad 15m
14 Kerosene Crack

Climb the wall 1m R of the 'Joe/col' graffiti on jugs to reach a short tapering crack and ledge. The thin crack above is no pushover either.

FA: Colin Reece, Bruce Molineux, Graham Hill, 1976

15
Trad 15m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

Good moves, but was short on time for a lead.

15 T

Jugs 2m R of KC lead to testing face climbing.

FA: Toprope, most likely Dave Brayshaw, mid 80s,

21
Trad 15m
RouteGradeStylePopularitySelected ascents
16 * Drunken Otter

Bolted face route just R of T.

FA: Dave Brayshaw, Peter Beavis, Steve Hobson, 1986

21
Sport 15m
17 S

The crack 2m R of DO.

FA: Toprope, Gary Scott, Mark Barnett, 1979

FFA: ave Brayshaw, Peter Beavis, 1985

18
Trad 15m
Garth Wimbush 11 days ago

Yet to do this cleanly. Fiddly, though adequate gear. take a selection of small stoppers for a sn...

Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

Really good climbing with a tricky finish.

18 F

Good climbing 1m R of S.

FA: Toprope, Gary Scott, Mark Barnett, 1979

18
Trad 15m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

Steep climbing up scoops. Fun deadpoint crux off crimps.

19 * Cretin

FA: Colin Reece, Ajax Greene, 1977

20
Trad 13m
20 Poltroon

FA: Gordon Oates and party, 1968

14
Trad 13m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

Desperate mantel. Would be sane with a #5 BD cam but too marginal for me on a 4.

RouteGradeStylePopularitySelected ascents
21 TR
12
Trad 13m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

Tricky enough, has a thank-god cam pocket.

22 Red Faces
11
Trad 17m
Garth Wimbush 10 days ago

A boulder problem at the top of a scramble.

Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

Straightforward.

23 * W

Begin on the L side of the overhanging buttress. Traverse R to scoops in the face then follow the line to the top.

FA: Toprope. Probably Brayshaw and company, mid 80’s,

22
Trad 17m
24 S...nake

FA: Gordon Oates (aided?), 1968

FFA: Colin Reece (solo, in sandshoes), 1976

15
Trad 17m
25 Zanzibar

Unprotected and undercut arete between S...nake and SJC.

FA: Mark Barnett, Gary Scott, 1979

20
Trad 18m
RouteGradeStylePopularitySelected ascents
26 Steve's Jam Crack

FA: Ajax Greene, (solo, in street shoes), 1977

12
Trad 18m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

Good climbing, keeps you honest.

Cameron Roy 5 months ago

Stout at grade 12. Strenuous finish.

27 TT

FA: Ajax Greene, 1977

10
Trad 19m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

Pleasant climbing on good rock.

28 * Edge of Extinction

FA: Dave Wagland, Dave Winnall, 1988

21
Mixed 20m , 2
29 *** Lickety Split

The outstanding direct route up the centre of the main face.

Easy to the obvious ledge, then delicate face climbing on small flakes (crux). Balancy moves to the top and easy finish.

Could do with bolting.

RS: Mike Garrett, 2013

FA: Mike Garrett, 2013

23
Top rope 15m
Garth Wimbush 10 days ago

Superb - quality face moves on immaculate rock. Second shot.

Mike Garrett 10 days ago

Outstanding face climbing.

30 * Indigenous

A quality route on the right side of the blank wall. Follow the crack and corner.

FA: Mark Barnett, Gary Scott, 1979

15
Trad 20m
Garth Wimbush 11 days ago

Thin on gear for the first half. Interesting crux moves.

Cameron Roy 5 months ago

Superb. Step left at the top for full value.

31 Indigenous Variant

FA: Toprope, Mark Barnett, Gary Scott, 1979

17
Trad 20m
Mike Garrett 8 days ago

Insufficient pro.

32 * Jabberwocky

Initialled. Stout crack leads to an overhang

FA: Gordon Oates, 1968

15
Trad 20m
Cameron Roy 5 months ago

Tough overcoming the first bulge to get into the crack.

33 Juggernaut

The juggy arete 3m to the R provides a variant start to Jabberwocky.

FA: Colin Reece, Eddie Ozols, Steve Carter, 1976

15
Trad 20m
34 Ghastly Rabbitfoot

Start as for Twilight Sailing and head up and L across the wall with minimal protection. Finish up the arete.

FA: Colin Reece (second would not follow), 1976

18
Trad 22m
35 ** Twilight Sailing

Follow bolts up the wall L of Victorian's Crack.

FA: Kim Carrigan, 1986

24
Trad 19m
RouteGradeStylePopularitySelected ascents
36 ** Victorian's Crack

Initialled. The superb looking crackline unfortunately has only a few metres of climbing at the grade. You can't miss it.

FA: Colin Reece, 1976

17
Trad 18m
Garth Wimbush 11 days ago

Superb jamming sequence, though the difficulties are short.

Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

Cruisy and classy. Best wires ever.

37 Slippery When Dry

Start 4m R of Victorian's Crack. Small holds to faint crack. Mantel over wide horizontal gap then undercling to stance. Bridge to small toe-hold, then up mossy rock.

FA: Billy Clark, Angela D'Onise, 1996

16
Trad 13m
38 Tiny Titties

Initialled, 7m R of Victorian's Crack. Start up the crack then finish L up the ramp.

FA: Derek Milne, Peter Kraehenbuehl, 1987

7
Trad 15m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

Touch mossy for a solo.

39 Large Titties

Start as for Tiny Titties but move 50cm R and finish straight up the crack.

FA: Derek Milne, Peter Kraehenbuehl, 1987

10
Trad 15m
Paul Badenoch 3 weeks ago

No guts, had a look at the pro first.

2. Index by grade

Grade Stars Name Style
7 Tiny Titties Trad 15m
10 Large Titties Trad 15m
TT Trad 19m
11 G Trad 15m
Red Faces Trad 17m
12 E.R.C. Trad 18m
Steve's Jam Crack Trad 18m
TR Trad 13m
14 Poltroon Trad 13m
15 * Indigenous Trad 20m
* Jabberwocky Trad 20m
Juggernaut Trad 20m
Kerosene Crack Trad 15m
M Trad 15m
S...nake Trad 17m
16 Slippery When Dry Trad 13m
17 Indigenous Variant Trad 20m
The Big A Trad 22m
The Big A Last Goodbye Variant Top rope 22m
** Victorian's Crack Trad 18m
18 F Trad 15m
Faux Pas Trad 24m
Ghastly Rabbitfoot Trad 22m
S Trad 15m
20 * Cretin Trad 13m
Zanzibar Trad 18m
20 A1 Birdsville Aid 25m , 7
21 * Drunken Otter Sport 15m
* Edge of Extinction Mixed 20m , 2
T Trad 15m
22 Stratagem Trad 16m
* W Trad 17m
23 * Caught in Slips Trad 25m
*** Charlie Goes Surfing Trad 15m
Flibbertigibbet Trad 25m
*** Lickety Split Top rope 15m
24 * General Aviation Trad Project 20m
** Twilight Sailing Trad 19m
? Trihedral Trad Project