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Southwest 86 routes in Crag

  • Avg. Height: 14m
  • Style: Trad,Sport and other styles
  • Favorites: 4
  • Ascents: 2,706

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Access Issues: inherited from Barrenjoey

There is an Aboriginal midden located underneath the cliff and below Crack of Dawn - please do not disturb the midden. The crag is located within the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, however due to its location (on Barrenjoey Headland), climbing is allowed here.

Approach:© (secretary)

Go to Palm Beach, then up the Governor Philip Park road to the car-park. To reach South-West Barrenjoey from the car-park, walk along the L side of sand dues past a house, a red shed and a large boulder. Continues along rocky shore to track beside another two houses. Walk along this from approximately 100m to the junction leading to the cliffs. The trail hits the cliff at 'Crack of Dawn'.

Ethic: inherited from Barrenjoey

The area is mostly mixed climbing - many climbs are bolted ("carrot" hangar-less bolts for the most part) but also require some trad gear.

Some content has been provided under license from: © Australian Climbing Association Queensland (Creative Commons, Attribution, Share-Alike 2.5 AU)

Routes

RouteGradeStylePopularity

Routes are ordered from Right to Left. The trail meets the cliff at 'Crack of Dawn'.

1 Evil Spuds

The overhang.

14
Trad 6m
2 Gollum's Grope

The offwidth.

12
Trad 4m
3 Pyroclean

The chimney.

7
Unknown 4m
4 Zodiac's Pure Vegetables

10m right of Haircut.

Up the wall and seam.

FA: Craig D. Martin, 1984

22
Unknown 8m
5 Haircut

The following five "routes" are all solo boulder problems, located quite close together.

The offwidth.

13
Boulder 4m
6 Solipsism

The arete.

13
Boulder 4m
7 Manteau

The wall.

12
Boulder 4m
8 Speleolie

The crack.

9
Boulder 4m
9 Feetus Position

The offwidth.

9
Boulder 4m
10 Exit Tortons

3m right of Albatross, below chimney. Used as a descent route

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

5
Trad 13m
11 Albatross

5m right of FF.

Traverse left to join FF. No pro (soloed on FA).

FA: Craig D. Martin, Craig B. Martin, 1983

14
Trad 15m
12 Frog's Fling

1m right of K9.

Up to traverse line then head right to arete (thread runner on tree?). Up hanging slab. Looks unprotected and probably harder than 17

FA: Craig B. Martin, Martin Jones, 1982

17
Unknown 13m
RouteGradeStylePopularity
13 K9

2m right of R.

Up the flaring finger crack.

Quite a bit easier if you use the back wall for a chimney. (Maybe a 14?)

You can set up a top rope using a 3m and a 6m sling around two different bolders above (+ ~ 6m of connector tape). There is a very rusty bolt that I wouldn't trust.

FA: T. Martin, Martin Jones, 1982

17
Trad 13m
14 Ratbite

The obvious corner 2m right of WG.

FA: Craig B. Martin, T. Martin, B. Strahan, Martin Jones, 1983

11
Unknown 18m
15 * Wild Gravity

Start: 2.5 m right of TMMDF below thin flake

Up thin flake to break (BR), then up wall above (2 BRs) to ledge. Continue up PWCB, or carefully walk off to the right.

FA: Craig B. Martin, Craig D. Martin, 1983

21
Mixed 12m , 3
16 Tchaikovsky Makes My Dog Fart

1.5m right of PWCB.

Hard moves (BR) up to and past break (cams), then as for PWCB.

FA: Mike Law, Craig B. Martin, 1985

22
Sport 7m
17 * Professor Wigginsworth's Chunder Bucket

Start at short flake right of where the track meets the base of the huge block.

Up flake (good cam in pocket on right) to ledge. Up the lovely sustained slab above (3 good BRs). Double RB belay / rap anchor. Traversing left at the top only scores you a 14!

FA: Craig D. Martin, Craig B. Martin, 1983

16
Mixed 20m , 3
18 ** Cranky

A prominent rounded boulder sits atop the rock platform above and to the right of PWCB. The climb is marked.

Atmospheric. Good moves up steep, sandy pockets. 2 RBs to double RB lower off.

Marked, on the boulder above and 15m right of PWCB.

Atmospheric. Good moves up steep, sandy pockets. 2 RBs to double RB lower off.

20
Sport 7m
19 A (Open project)

The ridiculously steep groove on the boulder up in the trees to the west (behind and left) of Cranky. There are two toprope bolts but they are inappropriate expansion types and should not be trusted.

25
Unknown 8m
20 Millie

Up wall (cams in breaks), between J and PWCB.

Start: Start: 2m right of 'Jezebel'

10
Unknown 11m
21 Jezebel

On top of elevated block, in front of the vertical crack. An excellent route for beginners.

Step across onto the wall and right to BR. Head straight up the wall (small cam and BR) to rounded top out. Double RB belay / rap station.

9
Mixed 11m , 2
22 Two Steps Forward

As for J.

Step onto wall and follow crack (micro cams) until it finishes. Up wall past BR to belay as for J

FA: Craig D. Martin, Craig B. Martin, 1982

13
Mixed 20m , 1
23 Carrie Bradshaw

Start: 2m left of Two Steps Forward. Start with your back to the tree. Straight up past 3 BRs, then small cams (0.4 and 0.75/1 Camalot) in breaks to a Double BB.

FA: Niall Doherty, 2003

14
Sport 12m , 3
24 Starboard Barnacles

Marked. 2m left of CB (just left of tree).

Pleasantly sustained. 3 BRs and optional cam near top. Double BB belay.

FA: Johan Verhagen, Dave Stuckey, 1984

14
Sport 20m
25 Elf Town

Marked. 2m left of SB. BR, runout to break (cam) then up over bulge (BR) to BB and RB belay

FA: Johan Verhagen, Dave Stuckey, 1984

14 R
Trad 20m
26 Judgement Day

2m left of ET.

Fingery to crack, up, then corner / chimney. Belay as for ET.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

14
Trad 20m
27 * Enterprise

2m left of JD.

4 BRs and cams up excellent, sustained, steep wall. Double BB belay.

FA: Craig D. Martin, Craig B. Martin, 1983

18
Trad 25m
28 * Enterprise Variant

As for Enterprise

Follow flake on right at top.

FA: Craig D. Martin, Craig B.Martin, 1983

17
Mixed 15m , 4
29 * Crack of Dawn

2m left of E.

Up the thrutchy bum crack, then either up the well protected headwall (BR), or pleasantly left up groove to top (BR on left protects top out). Double RB belay.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

15
Trad 20m

The following routes are all to the Left of where the trail meets the cliff.

30 Arachibutyrophobia

(The fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth).

Start: 1m left of 'Crack of Dawn'

Straight up past BR, staying left of CoD. From ledge head up left face of groove, between arete and crack (BR shared with CoD). Belay as for CoD.

FA: Peter Ward, 1986

19
Trad 20m
31 ** Liquid Insanity

A classic steep slab-climb.

Start: 1m left of 'Arachibutyrophobia'

Great climbing! Crux to start (BR), then sustained climbing (BR) to ledge (cams recommended here). Continue up pleasant headwall (2 BRs) to belay as for CoD.

FA: Glenn Robbins,

18
Sport 20m
32 ** Marsupial Smearer

A nice variation on 'Liquid Insanity'.

Start: 1m left of 'Liquid Insanity'.

Steep wall past 2 BRs to ledge, then crack / corner to break. Step right to double RB belay, or (recommended) finish directly over block (BR to double BB belay).

FA: Captain Black,

18
Trad 20m
33 * I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For Piker's Variant

Head up wall on right side of rounded arete (cam down low, 2 BRs). Up to crack of MS, and follow this (2 BRs on bulge to left) to break. Up over the block (BR) to belay as for MS.

18
Mixed 18m , 5
34 * I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

A nice variation on 'Marsupial Smearer'.

Start: Marked 'ISF' 2m Left of 'Marsupial Smearer'.

As for ISHFWILFPV. At crack of MS, continue straight up over bulge (2 BRs), staying out of the crack.

20
Trad 22m
35 * Domino

Corner crack 2m left of ISHFWILF

Past chockstones, getting harder with height.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

14
Trad 20m
36 Tropico

Marked "AT". 2m left of D.

Up right side of arete, passing 2 BRs up higher. Either belay at recessed ledge, or (recommended) continue up the triangular block (cams) to double RB belay/rap station (as for CO).

15
Trad 20m
37 * Cramp Ons

Start below wall, 2m left of T.

Undercut, crimpy and slightly sandy start (will clean up with more ascents). The first placement is a little high - get a spot from your belayer. Cams in breaks, BR on top section. Either trad belay at recessed ledge, or (recommended) continue up the triangular block (cams) to double RB belay/rap station.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

17 R
Trad 20m
38 Wild Ride

Marked. 2m left of CO.

Bouldery start past BR, then more easily up wall (cams and BR). Grade 14 and no stars if you traverse in from HO

16
Trad 18m
39 * Hang Over

Crack 1m left of WR.

Up crack in recess, very pleasant over the bulge, then chimney. Triple BB belay (shared with WtT).

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

9
Trad 12m
40 Womb To Tomb

1m left of HO below bulge.

Hard move off ground (more like 22!), then up over roof on jugs and up slab. Triple BB belay (shared with HO).

FA: Craig B. Martin, Martin Jones, 1982

17
Trad 12m
41 * Cosmic Ecology

2m left of WTT, below nasty looking overhanging crack.

Looks awful but is surprisingly good. Hard move off ground then easily up and left around roof and up slab. Double BB belay.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

15
Trad 12m
42 Cosmic Ecology Variant Start

1m left of CE. Up to join CE.

FA: Craig D. Martin,

15
Unknown 5m
43 ** Lurgi Meets Plate Tectonics

A bit loose (eeeeyakabo!).

Start: Start as for 'Cosmic Ecology Variant. Traverse left then strenuously up to ledge. Continue up slab to double BB

FA: Craig B. Martin, 1983

17
Trad 12m
44 Ways Of Our Lives

Marked. 2m left of CEVS at seam.

Looks harder than 22! Desperate start, then tend right (BR) and continue up wall (small cams) to belay as for LMPT.

FA: Mike Meyers, David Hains, 1984

22
Trad 15m
45 ** Squid Vicious

As for WOOL. Looks harder than 20! Desperate start to BR, then up past breaks (cams). Originally an aid route ("Maximum Bowel Potential").

FA: Mike Meyers, M. Toakley, 1983

20
Trad 12m
46 * Computer Sox

3m left of SV.

Up wall past ledges (take 3 mid size cams) to double BB belay.

FA: Craig D. Martin, Martin Jones, 1982

14
Trad 7m
47 ** Cythaul Haul

Crack left of CS.

10
Trad 12m
48 * Hemholtz Tunglebung's Stupidity

A queer fish if ever there was one.

Start: 2m left of CH crack Up wall (small cams and BR) to double BB belay. Descend using the double RB rap station on the wall a few metres above the belay.

14
Mixed 6m , 1
49 ** Sacrilege

The off-width boulder problem.

12
Boulder 4m
50 The Phantom Bolter Strikes Again

Start below arete, 1m left of S.

Up headwall (2 BRs) to awful top out. Used to be grade 17 until the flake near the top fell off (in the mid 90s). Double BB belay.

19
Trad 10m
51 Benign

4m left of tPBSA.

Slab past 3 BRs to steep finish. Double BB belay.

FA: Craig B. Martin, Roy Chick, 1984

19
Sport 10m
52 Benign Variant Finish

As for B, but finish up the sloping crack left of the final BR with an awkward overhanging mantle to finish.

16
Sport 10m
53 Mike's Cop-out

Up arête, poxy ladder - rock & pro gets better with height. One good move at the top. Belay off 'Benign' BBs.

Start: at bottom of arête R of BTDT.

10
Trad 8m
54 * Been There, Done That

Chimney left of B.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

7
Trad 10m
55 ** Central Pillar of Mordor

Narrow arete / wall between BTDT and O. Good sustained climbing past 3 BRs to double RB lower off. Mid size cam recommended between 1st and 2nd BRs. Slow to dry after rain.

19
Trad 20m
56 Orgasmic

Chimney left of CPoM. Up (slung chockstone, wires, friends) to double RB lower off on CPoM.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

11
Trad 25m
57 * Sand Syringe

3m left of O.

Blast straight up wall past cam breaks. Take care in the upper section (pro is restricted to slinging the flake, plus a micro-cam placement). Double BB belay. Rap off double RB rap station on block above the climb.

FA: Craig B. Martin, N. Moran, 1984

18
Trad 20m
58 * Not Your Average Cab Sav

2m left of SS.

Good, sustained, thin climbing up a balancy wall. Cams and 3 BRs to double BB belay.

FA: Craig B. Martin, Roy Chick, 1984

19
Trad 20m
59 * Pledge a Legend

1m left of NYACS, below obvious crack in centre of wall.

Steeply up crack to traverse line. Step left (crux) then follow crack up to headwall slab (BR). Double BB belay.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

14
Trad 16m
60 Borcat Blues

2m left of PAL.

Thin start (BR), then up wall past breaks and BR to belay as for PAL.

FA: Craig B. Martin, Roy Chick, 1984

18
Trad 20m
61 Tangerine Dream

2m left of BB.

Up wall past breaks and BR on top section. Double BB belay.Quite thin and exposed.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

16
Trad 15m
62 * Cobwebs

2m left of TD.

Up webby crack and continue up wall (cams in breaks, BR) to belay as for TD

FA: Peter Ward, Trevor Carlos, 1986

18
Trad 15m
63 * Celluloid Heroes

8m left of C.

Up arete to belay as for C. Despite what the previous guide says, protection is adequate.A good beginner's climb, but imagination is required when placing protection.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

10
Trad 10m
64 Nightingale

Start: The easy chimney left of CH.

A quick ascent or decent route.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

7
Trad 10m
65 * Pox Travels Fast

Just left of N.

Up wall (2 BRs), then large cam (#3.5 camalot) in pocket on left, or run it out on easy ground to double BB.

FA: Craig B. Martin, Craig D. Martin,

16
Trad 15m
66 ** Pinnacle of Peril

Arete left of PTF.

Straight up exposed and unprotected arete

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team,

15
Trad 22m
67 * Super Exciting Xylophone

Start: 2m left of PP.

Delicately up middle of blank wall to break; mantel to pass overhang. Undercling up spectacular, airy pinnacle (15) with protection from Friends and threaded slings. Beware the chalked horn of rock used at the end of the overhang is part of a loose block that moves! Triple BB belay on top (one BB is manky however).

21
Trad 25m
68 Intoxicating Liquor

Left of SEX.

Up crack then up chimney above that.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

9
Trad 20m
69 * Little Plaything

1m left of IL.

Thin, bouldery start, then up wall to arete and up slab (cams). Double BB belay. Was originally graded 14, but by all accounts the start is pretty hard.

19
Trad 16m
70 * Anti Scuttler

Very shallow corner left of LP.

A sandbag at grade 8 (must have been a typo)! Tricky start, then good steep slab above. Belay as for LP.

FA: Martin Jones, Craig B. Martin, 1982

18
Trad 20m
71 * Sweet Heart

Just left of AS.

Stays on the vertical wall between the AS slab and the offwidth of F. DBB

FA: Mike Garben, Garry Pienaar, 2003

22
Unknown 12m
72 * Facet

Left of AS.

Up offwidth and over bulge to belay as for SH.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

15
Trad 16m
73 Crack 'n' Up

Another wriggler!

Start: Off-width 2m left of 'Facet'.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

8
Trad 17m
74 * Mescalito

For the following routes, descend by either rapping off the double RBs above Abseil Wall, or by walking down 10m left of Ikon.

2m left of CnU.

Thin start up crack then trend right and up stylish arete. 2 BRs and cams to double BB belay.

19
Trad 12m
75 Mode

2m left of M.

3 BRs to double RB belay which is 80cm back from the edge.

FA: Warwick Williams, Kevin Melville, 2003

16
Sport 14m , 3
76 * Abseil Wall

2m left of M at seam.

Wall and Crack trend left, though do not go further left, rather stay straight. Sparse pro. takes three cams and a nut. Double RB belay which is 1m back from the edge.

FA: Northern Beaches Cliff Training Team, 1975

16
Trad 18m
77 Pan Pacific Wall

4m left of AW.

Straight up wall (cams and BR). Double RB belay. Fun; good protection.

16
Trad 16m
78 ** Long Line of Leanings

Just left of PPW, on right side of chossy cave.

Deliberately contrived start: do it. Up arete to lip of roof. Traverse left past RB then crank straight up past BRs and cams. Belay as for PPW.

FA: Craig B. Martin, Mike Law, 1985

19
Trad 15m
79 Wrong Line of Learning

Start in left side of LLoL cave.

Stick clip first RB on LLoL, long reach to jug on lip, then up staying a bit left of LLoL joining it on half way ledge.

FA: Mike Garben/Garry Pienaar, 2003

22
Unknown 15m
80 *** Pulse of Fools

5m left of LLL.

Sustained, thin and steep climbing up good looking orange wall. 3 RBs to double BB belay.

FA: Mike Law, 1985

25
Sport 12m
81 Suer

Corner crack left of PoF

10
Trad 6m
82 Krill

The off-width boulder problem left of S.

13
Trad 6m
83 * Ikon Direct

Where Ikon should have gone.

Start: As for Ikon, middle of black slab, left of K. Straight up past 2 BRs and RB. Double BB belay.

FA: Craig B. Martin, Roy Chick, 1984

19
Sport 10m
84 Ikon

As for ID. Silly.

Up to BR, left to arete, up and right to RB, back left to arete then up.

FA: Craig B. Martin, Roy Chick, 1984

17
Sport 10m
85 Ray's Moppy

Marked M, 10m left of I.

Up slab 1m right of arete, then crack and slab to top. Small to medium cams with a tree belay.

FA: Ray Haak, John Shaw, 2005

11
Trad 10m
86 Lips

FA: Jim Dickins/Sandra Parker,

11
Unknown 11m

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