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Showing 1 - 100 out of more than 10,000 routes.

Grade Route Gear style Popularity Crag
13 Muldoon
1 13 20m
2 12 22m

Can be climbed in one pitch if you have a 70m rope. In that case minimize protection on the first pitch and extend as much as possible (sensible) to reduce rope drag.

  1. Up corner then traverse left along ledge with committing move around arete up to belay. Gear belay.

  2. Straight up off belay, trending vaguely right through juggy terrain. Up to DRB.

34m rap from double ring bolts above the climb - 70m rope or doubles required. Can be done in two raps using a 60 and the mid-station, or walk right and down the gully.

FA: Peter Jackson & Reg Williams, 1965

Trad 42m, 2 Arapiles
14 D Minor
1 10 25m
2 14 10m

The major crackline running up the middle of D Minor pinnacle. This climb has excellent protection but has a sad history of death and serious injury from people taking long falls off the top overhang onto the easy-angled middle section of the climb. Please take care to place multi-directional runners on the top overhangs so that lower runners are not pulled out by rope tension during a fall. Can be done in a single pitch taking care with rope management.

  1. (25m, 10) Follow the crack on fine holds until jugs lead up a steepening. Easy angled ground leads to a great belay spot under the overhangs.

  2. (10m, 14) Follow the crack through the overhangs.

FA: Ian Speedie, Mike Stone & Bruce Hocking, 1964

Trad 35m, 2 Arapiles
13 Horn Piece

The excellent thin cracks up the middle of the front of this pillar. Very good and sustained. Take lots of small wires and cams.

FA: Chris Baxter & Matt Taylor, 1976

Trad 33m Arapiles
11 Agamemnon

A lovely cool chasm with a thrilling finish - a dramatic bridging sequence that is both run-out and exposed.

  1. 15m (11) Up the blocky corner to big boulder choke.

  2. 25m (11) Up wide chimney using face to the anchor (30m).

FA: Michael Stone & Ian Speedie, 1964

Trad 40m, 2 Arapiles
11 Piccolo
1 11 18m
2 11 15m
  1. 18m (11) Climb the front of the pipe past smooth bulge to small ledge. This cramped belay is usually avoided.

  2. 15m (11) Continue up to top bulge which is easiest on right. Downclimb far side of pinnacle into Organ Pipes Gully to get off.

FA: Garry Kerkin & Ian Speedie, 1965

Trad 33m, 2 Arapiles
5 Tiptoe Ridge
1 3 43m
2 5 27m
3 4 20m
4 5 30m

An alpine-flavoured adventure that surely ranks as one of the finest routes of its grade in the world

Start: Left of the prominent ridge is a large terrace. Approach from below and to the left.

  1. 43m 3 step onto ridge and up

  2. 27m 5 up and over pinnacle

  3. 20m 4 up wall to big ledge on right

  4. 30m 5 head on up

FA: Greg Lovejoy & Steve Craddock, 1963

Trad 120m, 4 Arapiles
12 Bard
1 12 43m
2 12 12m
3 12 20m
4 12 15m
5 12 30m

Start at the R end of the base of the buttress.

  1. 43m (12) Up the slab (some fiddly pro) to L facing corner. Up corner to ramp. Belay at top of ramp.

  2. 12m (12) Move around the arete, then up. Airy traverse L around the arete (grovel across or grab the undercling, lean back and find good holds above), and across the front face to belay on the nose.

  3. 20m (12, crux) Diagonally R across the face to a bottomless chimney. Belay at the top of the chimney.

  4. 15m (12) Up the steep juggy line to the Bard Terrace.

  5. 30m (12) Up the bottomless corner then R onto and up the wall.

FA: Jim Newlands & Bruce Hocking, 1965

Trad 120m, 5 Arapiles
10 Eskimo Nell

Wonderful climbing up the right side of the Dunes Buttress, with virtually every pitch offering something of interest.

  1. 35m (10) Up surprisingly tricky left facing flake/corner (consider starting up Dunes instead if this might give you grief). Continue up slabs above and belay below chimney around the corner.

  2. 40m (9) Easily up chimney. Step across the void from top of chimney onto the face proper and continue up to large ledge (the Oasis).

  3. 15m (1) Crawl R through hole, belay beneath chockstone in chimney on the other side.

  4. 40m (9) Pull up onto the chockstone with difficulty. Follow the deep crackline above to the top (or for a slightly easier finish trend a bit left for the last bit).

FA: John Moore, Chris Dewhirst, Chris Baxter & Laurie Beesley, 1968

Trad 130m, 4 Arapiles
10 D Major
1 10 25m
2 10 25m

Named after the key that has "two sharp pitches". It is possible to escape from the first belay through the narrow cleft to the left between Piccolo Pipe and D Major Pipe.

Start below the major line capped by a huge chockstone on the right wall of the D Major pipe.

  1. 25m (10) Bridge up slick groove splitting bottom half of the buttress and under the boulder. It's a good idea to belay on top of the boulder.

  2. 25m (10) From top of the boulder climb steep juggy buttress to chimney finish. An alternative to this pitch is to climb the chimney to the left. This is very narrow.

FA: Bruce Hocking & Mike Stone, 1964

Trad 50m, 2 Arapiles
14 Lamplighter
1 10 30m
2 14 30m
3 13 18m

An excellent climb tiptoeing its way up the back wall with lashing of exposure. Provides some relief from the sun until late afternoon.

Start: Start on a ledge down low on the left where an obvious ramp leads up right.

  1. 30m (10) Following the ramp to its end, then left to big ledge.

  2. 30m (14) Up short corner on the right, old peg (back it up), then tend right up cracks to base of chimney. Near the top there are a couple of options but the best is an unlikely step right and up the face.

  3. 18m (13) Up chimney to roof, then chimney back out through roof to DBB.

FA: 1965

Trad 78m, 3 Arapiles
9 Conifer Crack
1 9 40m
2 9 40m

Very entertaining. Just be aware that at times you have to climb on large apparently detached blocks. Start 1 metre left of where the the big dead tree was until last Friday (i.e. left-hand crack on front of buttress).

  1. 40m (9) Slabby thin crack on left side of buttress to ledge. Step right and pull through bulge then straight up to huge ledge.

  2. 40m (9) Behind are twin V cracks up the right side of the buttress. It is usual to move straight up from the ledge and then move across right and climb the right-hand crack but either crack is OK. An optional third pitch is to climb the blade of rock at the end of the second pitch.

FA: Chris Davis & Ian Guild., 1964

Trad 80m, 2 Arapiles
16 Watchtower Crack
1 12 25m
2 14 20m
3 16 18m
4 16 32m

Fantastic climb. Much of this climb remains in the shade until mid-afternoon so it can be feasible on a hot day. Running the first two pitches together can keep the belay in the shade until the top. Despite the daunting appearance a mega-rack isn't required, but make sure you have a couple of bolt hangers and a #4 cam.

  1. 25m (12) Climb the slab just right of the corner until you can move left onto a large ledge.

  2. 20m (14) Follow the main corner for a bit, then the left-hand line to a cosy cave.

  3. 18m (16) Up 4 metres into chimney below roof (old bolt). Traverse out right and move up into corner and another old bolt. On up corner to small stance and two pitons. If you want some shade, traverse left to a cave on the arete.

  4. 32m (16) Fairly sustained (FH) until past the overhang. Easily up slab.

FA: John Fahey, Peter Jackson, Ted Batty & Bob Bull, 1966

Mixed trad 95m, 4, 3 Arapiles
19 Tannin

Fantastic climbing on gorgeous peachy rock, many climbers' favourite 19 at Araps. Chains at top (32m). Videos

FA: Andrew Thomson & Dave Mudie, 1976

Trad 35m Arapiles
9 Arachnus
1 8 40m
2 8 21m
3 9 14m
4 8 30m

A truly great climb up the middle of the Watchtower. Many variants are possible, especially in the middle section; yes they have already been climbed. Start up the right-hand of the two deep cracks at the base of The Watchtower. This is just left of the undercut section (Pumping), and 9m R of Watchtower Chimney.

  1. (40m, 8) Up deep crack until it ends. Traverse 4 metres right, up over disconcerting bulge and follow crack to large ledge. (The first ascent traversed all the way to the right arete before climbing bulge).

  2. (21m, 8) Either climb up left of the belay or climb just right of the crack until below bulge and then step left over the crack. Belay on narrow ledge below overhang on left side of The Watchtower.

  3. (14m, 9) Either climb straight up veering slightly right, or traverse right on smooth rock past ancient piton before moving right. Belay in a good cave on the right side of the buttress.

  4. (30m, 8) Move left out of cave and up exhilarating wall to top. Prearrange your signals as communication is likely to be impossible from the top.

FA: Ian Speedie & Rob McQuilkin, 1964

Trad 110m, 4 Arapiles
15 Beautiful Possibilities

A beautiful route. Take care at the start. Start as for Jason. Tricky moves up and L onto the front of the nose, then follow the nose to the top - veering L quite close to Pedro at half height. The pro is mainly small wires - take plenty and make sure you are proficient at placing them.

FA: Chris Baxter & Mike Stone, 1975

Trad 30m Arapiles
8 Diapason
1 7 20m
2 6 25m
3 8 10m

The first climb done in the Organ Pipes. A very pleasant outing. Start 8 metres left of big dead gum tree.

  1. 20m (7) Follow crack, or face just left of crack, up buttress to ledge and the former location of a plaque to climbing pioneer Bob Craddock (who died in a car accident).

  2. 25m (6) Step up and right around to the front of buttress and up to belay left of big tilted boulder.

  3. 10m (8) Up short wall just left of boulder then up flaring chimney. An alternative to this pitch is to traverse left for 3 metres above the void and then climb the steep wall 7 metres left of the chimney. Optional fourth pitch is grade 10: From big ledge climb steep wall on right and finish up a crack on the left of the pinnacle. No one seems to do this these days but it is quite good.

FA: Steve Craddock, Bob Craddock & Rob Taylor, 1963

Trad 55m, 3 Arapiles
18 Golden Fleece

A really good route, one of the most pleasant 18s at Arapiles. Start 3m R of Jason. Jugs to bulge and over to stance on right. Step left and up thin line.

FA: Chris Dewhirst & Peter McKeand, 1969

FFA: Roland Pauligk, 1974

Trad 35m Arapiles
17 Mari

Quite classic and good fun. Climb the obvious corner on the left side of the wall. An awkward start then jamming to a little roof. A bit tricky but not too cruxy. Take care with gear in the glassy crack - cams have a habit of either skating out or walking in.

FA: Phillip Stranger & Chris Baxter, 1967

Trad 35m Arapiles
18 Skink
1 12 25m
2 18 40m
3 17 42m

A technical, exhilarating route. A great contrast to its companion climb. The majority of the route remains in the shade until late morning. Start as for Watchtower Crack.

  1. 25m (12) Pitch 1 of Watchtower Crack.

  2. 40m (18) Pitch 2 of Watchtower Crack to cave, continue up to below the overhang. Traverse out right on fantastic horizontal break. Tricky moves gain sickle shaped line, then move up about 6m to a stance spanning the corner, which has some good wires and is surprisingly comfortable. Don't be tempted by the piton of Gollum a few metres higher, you are much better off where you are.

  3. 42m (17) Follow the flake line, which eases towards the top.

FA: Chris Dewhirst & John Moore, 1966

Trad 110m, 3 Arapiles
11 Pedro

Start on the L side of the wall, beneath the dominant wide L-facing corner crack (or 2m L of it if you want an easier start). Up the line, tackling the final bulge whenever you're ready.

FA: Mike Stone, Ted Batty & Peter Jackson, 1965

Trad 36m Arapiles
21 Boogie 'til You Puke

FIFTH BOLT HAS BEEN REPLACED 17/04/16

Almost certainly the most popular sport route within 3 hours' drive of Melbourne. Might be slightly solid for the grade... but it's a great route.

Start: Start 3m L of 'Witch', beneath a short finger crack which starts about 4m up.

FA: Mike Law & Ian Ravenscroft. early 80s, 2000

Sport 25m, 6 Camels Hump
17 Swinging

As for 'Trapeze' to the bolt (where 'Trapeze' breaks left), and continue up the arete past another bolt to a new lower-off.

Start: As for 'Trapeze'.

FA: Andrew Thomson & Dave Mudie, 1976

Mixed trad 20m, 2 Arapiles
16 R Brolga
1 15 30m
2 16 R 30m
3 14 30m

Fantastic slab climbing up immaculate rock. With modern gear it is not nearly the scare fest it used to be. Start at the gorgeous water streak up the middle of the face that commences off the slight ledge just above the path.

  1. 30m (15) Climb to the ledge. Marginal gear.

  2. 30m (16) The best pitch. Amazing climbing on incredible rock. Blast straight up the wall heading for the tree ledge.

  3. 30m (14) A wandering pitch, starting from the left hand end of the ledge, and heading up and left.

FA: Keith Lockwood & Andrew Bowman, 1975

Trad 90m, 3 Arapiles
15 Necrophilliac

Left curving crack with a few nice jams. Lower-offs (25m).

FA: Phillip Stranger, 1967

Trad 25m Arapiles
17 Surface To Air

Tricky start then R through bulges, finishing just L of Muldoon's final arete. It's good to do in two pitches to reduce rope drag and to better protect the second from a groundfall off the bouldery start. Rather than the long scramble approach, you can also approach up the short tough finger crack a few metres L of the start of Muldoon.

Start: Start 2m R of Tantalus. Descend from DRRB at the top of Muldoon

FA: Chris & Sue Baxter, 1986

Trad 30m Arapiles
20 Pilot Error

More than popular One move wonder. Start: Start at far left hand end of ledge.

Pilot Error is graded as 20 in the Mentz & Tempest Arapiles Guide Book.

FA: Ian Anger, 1980

Mixed trad 12m, 1 Arapiles
6 Exodus

Delightful. Start just right of a detached little pinnacle and just left of Edgell Gerber at a shallow corner.

FA: Keith Lockwood & Geoff Uebergang, 1967

Trad 36m Arapiles
9 Siren
1 4 25m
2 8 35m
3 8 35m
4 6 25m
5 9 25m

A wonderful long classic, climbed at the same time as Introductory Route. A remarkably well-conceived line, it culminates in a magnificent final corner.

Start as for Introductory Route, on the right side of the Tiptoe Ridge buttress, about 10 metres right of a major corner (Ordinary Trees), where two detached blocks are sitting just off the ground. There's an overhang about 6 metres up and a large dead tree marking the top of the pitch.

  1. 25m (4) Up the wall, passing the overhang on the left, then up to the dead tree, as for the first pitch of Introductory Route.

  2. 35m (8) Move right and up a little crack then follow prominent right-leading diagonal to a spectacular ledge on the arete. Note that the climb originally climbed the latter part of this pitch out right near the arete, now included in the second pitch of Xena.

  3. 35m (8) A mildly terrifying step across the void leads to easy climbing diagonally right. A few tricky moves then lead to a comfortable ledge below the big corner, with DRB.

  4. 25m (6) Up corner to next ledge or carry on up the next pitch.

  5. 25m (9) Up corner which finishes with a few rounded layback moves, then continue up little wall and belay on terrace.

From here either walk off left along terrace and scramble up little gully and wall to top or climb little right-facing corner just left of final belay. This is grade 11.

FA: Greg Lovejoy & Steve Craddock, 1963

Trad 150m, 5 Arapiles
19 Morfydd

Not given many stars until recently, this is now widely considered one of the finest 19s at Arapiles. It used to be 20 so don't expect a soft touch. Start under the prominent line up the south face of the pinnacle. Rap anchor at the top.

FA: John Moore & Chris Dewhirst, 1968

Trad 30m Arapiles
21 Kachoong

Up on jugs to rest at roof, place bomber cams and then launch out into glory across the roof into the crux at the lip. Easy up headwall to welcome belay

Start: Start at the ledge below the big roof with the chalked flakes.

FA: Glenn Tempest & Kevin Lindorff, 1977

Mixed trad 25m, 1 Arapiles
15 Toccata
1 15 27m
2 13 23m

A stunning line on glorious water-washed rock. Protection is excellent despite how it may look, and huge camming devices are not essential. Take two ropes if doing the abseil. Start below the large smooth corner at the right end of the Organ Pipes.

  1. 27m (15) Sustained climbing up the corner to hard moves past the little roof into a bottomless chimney. Up to a good ledge.

  2. 23m (13) The lovely square-cut chimney. Rap off (45m) or walk up the gully to the top.

FA: Peter Jackson & Bob Bull, 1965

Trad 50m, 2 Arapiles
11 Dracula
1 11 25m
2 8 15m

Start 10m L of Minstrel Pinnacle, at the easy crack just L of a perched block. Can be lead in one pitch at the same grade if you leave the crack and head diagonally R about 8m below the top of p1. However this increases the risk of a grounder on rope stretch when the second is on the crux start.

  1. 25m (11) A tough start gains the deep crack, which is followed to a ledge.

  2. 15m (8) Wander R along the ledge for a few metres to the next line, and head up this to the Pillars.

FA: Chris Baxter & Laurie Beesley, 1965

Trad 40m, 2 Arapiles
20 Little Thor

The lovely right-facing flake corner bordering the left side of the great blankish north-west wall. It's a pity that it gets heavily top-roped.

Climb the right-facing corner with hard moves past the little roof then keep cranking up slightly left to the top. Gear has a habit of unzipping on people; consider placing a directional at the start and being generous with the draws.

FA: Ian Guild & Peter Smith, 1965

FFA: Ian Lewis & Joe Friend, 1974

Trad 12m Arapiles
11 Trapeze

Up the steep pillar to a bolt, then traverse left (crux), and finish up the easier climbing above.

Start: At the pillar on the right side of the north face.

FA: Russell Judge & Don Bennett, 1964

Trad 20m Arapiles
18 The Rack

People rave about this being a brilliant jamming testpiece, when in fact its a one move wonder ... so ticking it doesn't prove you're a jamming maestro. It's a very nice little climb though. The crack 3m R of 'Christian Crack'.

FA: John Ewbank, 1968

Trad 13m Arapiles
17 Dirty Bomb

Best easy route at this crag. Fun climbing and surprisingly cool holds. Starts about 5m R of UF, steep start on great holds then up the face looking for the cool pockets.

FA: Matt Brooks & Jessica Shaham, 28 Mar 2016

Sport 15m, 7 Flat Rock
6 Revolver Crack

The deep crack.

Start 20m right of Melville's Cave.

FA: Maurice & Keith Leslie, 1967

Trad 20m Arapiles
14 Megalomaniac

Worth 3 stars in some eyes, barely worth 2 to others! A classic hand crack with an annoying bulge at the start. When the crack opens into a chimney/gully at the top, continue following the crack veering left to find a belay stance and natural anchor.

FA: John Moore, 1967

Trad 28m Arapiles
17 Dirge
1 17 35m
2 50m

Really nice climbing with an exciting blast up the finishing flake.

  1. 35m 17. Go up onto a terrace a few metres above ground level in the gully just right of the Didgeridoo Pipe. Follow the crack up past the left side of the overhang at 25 metres and on up the flake continuation to chains (30m to gully).

  2. 50m. Originally went to top but this pitch is rubbish so just rap off.

FA: Keith Lockwood & Chris Baxter., 1974

Trad 85m, 2 Arapiles
13 Hell For Leather

As for 'Tantalus' for 4m, then move L and go straight up, ending in shallow groove.

Start: Start 10m R of T.

FA: Chris & Sue Baxter, 1986

Trad 30m Arapiles
11 Didgeridoo

Start as for Horn Piece on the Didgeridoo Pipe. Veers left from Horn Piece near the top, avoiding the bulging headwall. This climb originally started up a short crack up on the right side of the pipe but this is not much fun. Very sustained at the grade.

FA: Ian Speedie, Garry Kerkin & Mike Stone., 1965

Trad 35m Arapiles
10 Syrinx
1 10 20m
2 10 20m
3 10 35m
4 8 38m
5 9 12m
6 8 25m
7 7 20m

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

FA: Bruce Hocking & Mike Stone, 1964

Trad 170m, 7 Arapiles
16 Libretto

Beautiful, sustained first pitch followed by a short hard section. Start below the well-chalked thin cracks taking the middle of the wall right of D Major.

  1. 25m (14) Sustained climbing up the thin cracks to the big cave.

  2. 25m (16) Move towards the front of the buttress and climb a short, difficult corner. Continue easily.

FA: Chris Dewhirst & Phillip Stranger., 1968

Trad 50m, 2 Arapiles
16 Big Ears

One of the best easy routes here.

Upgraded from 15 when a block came off. There's another still there at about 6m which might go someday so don't put your gear behind it.

Up the broken corner 3m R of 'Hadrian'.

FA: Peter McKeand & Andrew Thomson, 1971

Trad 14m Werribee Gorge
10 Camelot

Slabby start right of Minimus then the corner-crack to the top.

FA: Phillip Stranger

Trad 13m Arapiles
17 Maximus

The thin wall 2m right of Camelot.

FA: Peter Watson & Peter Megens

Trad 13m Arapiles
17 Moby Dick

The obvious flake crack on the wall facing 'Golden Fleece Wall'.

Start: Start on S side of the pinnacle.

FA: Peter Jackson & Chris Dewhirst, 1966

Trad 15m Arapiles
14 Minimus

The bulging crack just right of the plaque.

FA: Bob Bull & John Fahey

Trad 12m Arapiles
15 Resignation
1 10 35m
2 15 15m
3 15 23m
4 11 23m

A well loved classic, but it deteriorates towards the top.

Start: Start 3m R of EMM (12m R of K).

  1. 35m (10) Up the rib, trending a bit L near the top to a good ledge above No Future's rap anchor. With a 60m rope and long runners you can string the 1st two pitches together.

  2. 15m (15) Head for the main weakness in the big roofs: a recess between two prominent noses (shared with 'Kaiser' p2). Belay just above them.

  3. 23m (15) Climb right to good holds and up through the steepness, slightly runout. Once over the bulge head up left to the belay.

  4. 23m (11) Trend R up to Flinders Lane.

FA: Daryl Carr, Jerry Grandage & Ann Pauligk, 1966

Trad 96m, 4 Arapiles
16 Nuclear Novice

The best sport climb at its grade in the Grampians!? Start of the R end of the ledge about 10 R of CIC. Follow the bolts and jugs up the face to DUB. Best to rap off as lowering kills the rope.

Set: Matt Brooks

FFA: Buck Rogers & Matt Brooks, 14 May 2016

Sport 15m, 5 Flat Rock
17 Oceanoid
1 17 45m
2 17 30m

Fantastic climb. The original route climbed the first pitch of Courage until above the grotty overhang and then traversed left. The route as described is vastly better. Start below the inset corner in recessed bay behind large Callitris pine.

  1. 37m (17) Follow the corner for 17 metres, protection is spaced for first few metres. Move left at chalked-up weakness into a diagonal scooped line. Follow this to below roof and move left to terrace. DRB (35m rap to ground if required).

  2. 30m (17) Pull through the first easy weakness on left side of overhangs. Traverse 3 metres right (stay low) and make an airy step across a gap. Take line leading straight up into awkward bottomless chimney. Easy chimney leads to large ledge, continue further 5m up to another large terrace. Scramble off left or climb short wall to base of French Crack.

FA: Glenn Tempest & Mark Shelton, 1976

FA: Glenn Tempest & Keith Egerton, 1976

Trad 75m, 2 Arapiles
18 Entertainer

Up weakness to the right of Side Show following left-facing flake system to the roof. Head left along under this until an exit can be made straight up to rap station. For a more exciting finish (still grade 18), go straight through the weakness in the roof

Start: Two metres right of Side Show, a vague "E" can be found scratched on the rock

Trad 20m Arapiles
11 Blockbuster

The easiest route to the summit of Bluff Major is pure class, providing delicate groove climbing in a grand position.

FA: 1964

Trad 30m Arapiles
25 Have A Good Flight

Climb It'll Never Fly almost to arete, then cut back diagonally right and up to another bolt (exciting) then up to anchor.

Start: As for It'll Never Fly.

FA: Chris Shepherd, 1982

Sport 18m, 5 Arapiles
18 Eurydice
1 18 33m
2 17 32m

A fine old classic that has just about everything in its two pitches. A great line with a fiery first pitch in an excellent position.

On the E face of the Bard Buttress there's a guano-stained recess about 25m off the ground, with a crack leading down R to the ground. Start under this crack.

  1. 33m (18) Up the crack to the niche past a very old BR, then head up and slightly R from the niche to a good ledge.

  2. 32m (17) A tricky steep move gains the long R-facing corner. Near it's top move R then up to the Bard Terrace.

Ann Pauligk's mid 1970s ascent, first go, was the first Aussie female ascent at this grade.

FA: Bob Bull, Peter Jackson & Ted Batty, 1965

NA: Ann Pauligk, 1975

Mixed trad 65m, 2, 2 Arapiles
16 R Marmot's Mall

The nice face between 'Sickle' and 'Little Thor' gets classed as "serious" as it has seen plenty of groundfalls and a death. However, the pro is fine if you know how to put it in. Treat it as an exercise to see how much you can place.

Start 3m L of 'Little Thor', immediately right of 'Sickle'. The nice glassy face with small cracks for wires and hardest moves at top. Note the arete just to the R has been done at 18.

FA: Rowan Webb, Dave Parkhurst & Kevin Sheehy, 1966

Trad 12m Arapiles
18 King Rat

Another awesomely steep line.

Start: Start 4m R of GR. Clip piton at your own risk. Sharp.

FA: Roland Pauligk & Derek Lord (1 aid on piton), 1967

FFA: Dave Neilson, 1971

Trad 20m Arapiles
19 Lemmington

Has steadily increased it's reputation over the years, and is now considered by some to be one of the best 19s at Arapiles. Start in the chasm between the D Minor Pinnacle and the Piccolo Pinnacle, on the Piccolo side. Approach by going L around the back of D Minor Pinnacle. The logs and chain in the gully are for erosion control; they are not designed or to be used as belay anchors.

FA: Kevin Lindorff & Matt Taylor, 1976

Trad 30m Arapiles
18 I'm A Little Asteroid

Move R up the slabby corner then launch up the smooth face 5m R of IaLD. 'Small' gear is all that's keeping you off the slab at first.

Start: Start as for IaLD.

FA: Geoff Donovan, 1987

Trad 25m Arapiles
8 Spiral Staircase

Instead of going up to the front, follow the track around and up onto the north shoulder of the Pharos. Start at a low-angled, blunt spur just left of a vegetated gully.

  1. 43m (8) Up the buttress to a small ledge. Continue on steeper rock to another small ledge. Step off right side of ledge (straight up is grade 14) then up to a ledge below a short gully.

  2. 15m (4) Up the gully to a large ledge. Continue up to the next ledge, the Tennis Court.

  3. 20m (8) From the top of the pedestal, climb the tricky weakness left of the red overhang. Belay on the first good ledge.

  4. 23m (7) Up to subsidiary summit, step across gap then up to summit.

FA: Greg Lovejoy & Steve Craddock, 1963

Trad 100m, 4 Arapiles
18 Aardvark

Start at the top end of the chasm between the D Minor Pinnacle and the Piccolo Pinnacle, opposite Lemmington. The thin crack over low overlap then R-facing flake to chains.

FA: Kevin Lindorff & Ed Neve, 1975

Trad 18m Arapiles
17 R Missing Link

The low traverse makes it essential to use double ropes if you wish to avoid groundfall potential. After that the gear becomes more heartening, and the climbing is great. Start in the middle of the West face of Bluff Major, where the ground is at it's highest point. Finish direct to chains on R side of summit boulder, or slightly easier to L side of boulder. Please don't toprope direct off the chains as they see a lot of traffic.

Ann Pauligk's bold early-mid 1970s ascent may have been the first Aussie female ascent at this grade.

FA: Reg Williams, Peter Jackson & Chris Dewhirst (1 aid piton), 1965

NA: Ann Pauligk, 1975

Trad 30m Arapiles
12 Panzer

Start directly below the turret perching high above the right end of the face, just in front of a large boulder.

  1. 40m (12) Up 2 metres to horizontal weakness, traverse delicately left along this for 6 metres, then go up to major overlap. Traverse left to break through left end of overlap to large ledge. Walk right to obvious, left-facing corner. Small gear essential to protect this pitch.

  2. 25m (12) Jam corner to roof and step right around arete. Climb wall past some old pitons to an inset ledge below final tower.

  3. 30m (12) Traverse right to shallow corner. Up corner then steeply up front of turret. Scramble down back.

FA: Bruce Hocking & Mike Stone, 1965

Trad 95m, 3 Arapiles
10 Mesa

Originally graded 6 via the ordinary chimney, and not highly rated. Now that the loose bits are gone, the start has been straightened out up the face off the boulder, and a lower-off has been added, this is one of the best easy grade routes in this part of Araps, with a wide variety of climbing.

Start: Start off the top of the big boulder on the ledge.

FA: Graham Squire & Clive Parker, 1966

Trad 33m Arapiles
21 Snatch and Grab

This good little number is polishing it's way up through the grades.

Start 2m R of 'Big Ears'.

Suspiciously "uniform" incuts to gain sidepull flake, nice moves over black bulge. Up right past last bolt to double ring lower offs. Rebolted and rap rings added May 2023 - Safer Cliffs Victoria.

FA: Glenn Tempest, Jeremy Boreham & Rod Young, 1978

Sport 14m, 6 Werribee Gorge
16 Undertow

Undercut start on arete past 5 FH to DBB anchor as for 'Brian Boru'. Apparently this has grown a bolt left of the start... which was certainly not discussed with the first ascentionist, but it probaby does explain why so many people describe this as soft... the line is actually via overhung start direct up the arete.

FA: Mark Rewi, 2014

Sport 15m, 5 Camels Hump
12 Watchtower Chimney
1 12 45m
2 8 17m
3 12 31m
4 8 18m

A climb which gets the heart going no matter if you're on lead or seconding, with the first pitch, by itself, being a great line!

Start: There are two deep cracks at the base of the Watchtower. Start at the left-hand crack.

  1. 45m (12) Up the fading crack to a ledge, traverse left past an old carrot bolt and climb the corner to small ledge.

  2. 17m (8) Up the rest of the corner to base of chimney

  3. 31m (12) Up the chimney without taking the detour. Belay just above

  4. 18m (8) A bouldery start leads to an easier finish.

FA: Michael Stone, Ian Speedie & Garry Kerkin, 1965

Mixed trad 110m, 4, 1 Arapiles
17 Inxcessive

A bouldery start, eases to good holds.

FA: Neil Monteith, 2008

Sport 13m, 5 Hollow Mountain (N & NE side of Mt. Stapylton)
14 Tremulo

Really good climbing on the first 25 metres. With the abseil anchor the awful climbing above this can now be forgotten. Start at short chimney 5 metres right of Humouresque. Up chimney then on up the narrowing line finishing with some face moves just to the left. Chain anchor.

FA: Phil Seccombe.., 1966

Trad 25m Arapiles
14 Mantis

Up the slightly slabby face into the recess under the roof, then move R where it steepens to find the juggiest part of the overhang. Continue up wall above to ledge on left.

Start: At the pockety rock under the recess 12m R of Fang.

FA: Peter Jackson, Ted Batty & Bob Bull, 1965

Trad 33m Arapiles
10 Grey Arete

Narrow rib at the L end of the lower cliff. Follow arete and climb L into a large crack and then continue R up the pinnacle to a DRB belay (25m rap into R gully).

Trad 32m Camels Hump
16 Hot Play

Steep climbing on big jugs. Nice, easy warm up.

FA: Neil Monteith, 2008

Sport 9m, 4 Hollow Mountain (N & NE side of Mt. Stapylton)
6 Guiding Light

A quirky ramble that is very enjoyable. There was a serious accident on this climb a couple of years back, showing that a lapse of concentration can get you hurt anywhere. Start at the foot of the chimney-gully.

  1. 32m (4) Climb diagonally rightwards up the easy wall to large ledge.

  2. 13m (6) Scramble 5 metres to next ledge and take vague corner-weakness 4 metres right of arete to summit. This summit has also been reached by the wall on the opposite side of the block, from within the chimney; much harder and not recommended.

  3. 15m (6) Downclimb from summit, step across chimney then up wall to main summit.

FA: Simon Mentz & James Falla, 1998

Trad 60m, 3 Arapiles
15 Siamese Crack

The middle of the three prominent cracks on the wall is a daunting layback if your jamming technique is lacking.

FA: Peter Jackson & Ted Batty, 1965

Trad 25m Arapiles
7 Charity

Up the crack.

Start: Start under the L crack on the main face.

FA: Bruce & Keith Lockwood, 1968

Trad 14m Arapiles
10 SPQR

Inexplicably given 3 stars in previous guides.

Start 1m R of Consul's arete.

Up the R sloping crack then R up larger crack.

FA: Bernie Lyons, Steve Craddock & Gary Lovejoy, 1971

Trad 13m Werribee Gorge
13 Stalagmite

Start directly opposite the L (western) side of Minstrel Pinnacle, on the main wall. The crack for 7m to tricky roof. Onwards to ledge then steep crack. Step R across a gap then more easily.

FA: Jerry Grandage, Daryl Carr & Rob Taylor, 1966

Trad 36m Arapiles
19 Pains Ford

The first and best route at the crag, borderline 3 stars? Unique for the 'Grampians' - climbs and looks more like limestone. Great sustained climbing on water polished jugs. Surprisingly overhung. Located in the middle of the south face, directly in front of small pine tree. When it gets tough around the 5th bolt dog-leg left to find the better holds. Seeps for several days after heavy rain.

FA: Neil Monteith & Will Monks, 2008

Sport 18m, 8 Pohlner Track & Smith's Rd Area
11 The Bishop

Start as for Revelations, Serpent, etc.

  1. 26m (11) Climb steep right wall of cleft to large ledge.

  2. 24m (11) Step up to smooth orange wall. Don't go straight up but step right and pull up steep arete. Up a few more metres then veer right and up right wall.

FA: Garry Sudholz & Rod Sutherland, 1967

Trad 50m, 2 Arapiles
17 Conscientious Pontius

2 star hand jamming ... for about 3 moves.

The obvious hand crack to the ledge and then up the flared crack in the orange face above.

FA: Keith Lockwood & Norm Booth, 1970

Trad 13m Werribee Gorge
13 Ivan

The R-curving crack just R of Abdul. Awkward - but you've got to get up to Blockbuster Ledge somehow and this is the best easy option. Requires a few techniques from your bag of tricks to succeed.

FA: Unknown, 2000

Trad 14m Arapiles
18 I'm A Little Dinosaur

Lovely positions up the prominent grey arete, starting on the R face at first.

Start: Start about 15m up the scramble of 'King Rat Gully' Left Fork. The start can also be accessed by climbing 'Scylla' or 'Charybdis' for 15m then walking L along the ledge.

FA: Mark Moorhead & Rod Young, 1981

Trad 25m Arapiles
19 In Halen

Grey slightly overhung gritty wall climbing. This climb is a very good warm-up for harder routes in the area at it is pumpy with no sharp holds. Originally a trad route.

FA: Neil Monteith Gareth Llewellin, 2004

Sport 13m, 4 Hollow Mountain (N & NE side of Mt. Stapylton)
15 Agent Orange

Conjures up an image of Chris Baxter clutching a bush and screaming as he hurtles down "Vanoise".

The little flake just right of the initial corner has also been climbed at 19.

Start: At small, right-facing corner 3 metres right of "Vanoise".

Rap chains.

FA: Chris Baxter & Paul Daniels, 1981

Trad 25m Arapiles
20 Electric Warrior

An excellent route with hard bits down low and up high. Start below the major crack on the right side of the wall, 2m L of the Droop Street arete. Move up to the seam to a tricky move, then enjoyable climbing follows to a solid finger crack at the top.

FA: Glenn Tempest, Joe Friend & John Chapman, 1976

Trad 30m Arapiles
V2 Golden Streak
Boulder 4m Arapiles
11 Sweet Chariot

Far superior to SPQR. Good jamming and interesting moves all the way up the nice corner.

The corner crack 1m R of 'Death Gate'.

FA: Norm Booth & Keith Lockwood, 1970

Trad 16m Werribee Gorge
15 Maiden China

Imposing ringbolted wide crack on left end of 'Tribute Wall'. Luckily there is an abundance of jugs on either side of the crack to make it a nice stemming problem. Start on left side of pit. Step right to RB on right side of crack, then mantle onto ledge. 'Problematic' move up wide crack gains jugs on right wall, then easier (put steep!) climbing to top. 5 RBs and lower-off.

FA: Neil Monteith & Kathy Dicker, 2008

Sport 13m, 5 Hollow Mountain (N & NE side of Mt. Stapylton)
10 Serpent

Fantastic climbing. There is a variant start to the left at the painted initial "S" but the way described is better. Start below right-hand line up the sombre cleft, right of the initial "S".

  1. 35m (11) Veer up left and climb orange corners, then left and up to tiny ledge. Step left then up steep, right-facing box-corner.

  2. 8m (5) Either rap off (28 metres) or walk left along ledge and go up.

FA: Keith Lockwood, Geoff Uebergang & Gary Sudholz, 1967

Trad 43m, 2 Arapiles
19 Commissioner Gordon

Sustained steep face climbing, one of the better routes on the cliff? Starts about 5m left of "The Riddler". Delicately up the wall, traversing up and left on good break past 3rd bolt to good clipping stance at 4th bolt. Straight up past 5th bolt to rap station.

FA: Josef Goding & Naomi Gibbs, 2007

Sport 14m, 5 NE Mt Zero Range
10 The Shroud
1 6 28m
2 10 22m
3 10 25m
4 8 43m

Another great outing up the front of the Pharos. Start 9 metres right of Hurricane Lamp Cracks at the foot of a deep crack.

  1. 28m (6) Climb the buttress on the left to a good belay ledge.

  2. 22m (10) Traverse 5 metres right, stepping across a wide crack, then follow the steep, clean line on the right to another good ledge.

  3. 25m (10) Step left and climb the front of the buttress to gain the deep V-line on the left. Pass the spectacular roof on the left and up to the Tennis Court.

  4. 43m (8) From the top of pedestal climb tricky weakness left of red overhang. Up to subsidiary summit, step across gap, then up to summit. This is as for the last 2 pitches of Spiral Staircase and may be split as for that climb.

FA: Unknown, 1965

Trad 120m, 4 Arapiles
9 Holdup Line

Very nice.

Start: Immediately right of 'Bullet Buttress'. A steep wall leads to a baby chimney, then up easily and step left into BB.

FA: Maurice & Keith Leslie, 1967

Trad 20m Arapiles
14 Mantle

More great slabbing. Start 8 metres right of Brolga, directly below a thin crack that doesn't quite reach the ground.

  1. 27m (13) Go up on the left and move right into the weakness. Up weakness then face to ledge, just left of some swordgrass.

  2. 46m (14) Up the wall past a bolt for 30 metres to the bulge. Pass this and find a semi-hanging belay above. People used to belay below the bulge but the anchors were poor.

  3. 17m (6) Easily up.

FA: Chris Dewhirst & John Moore, 1965

FA: Chris Dewhirst & John Moore, 1965

Trad 90m, 3 Arapiles
18 Voodoo

Start: 3m R of 'Chinese Algebra' at dog-leg crack.

  1. 35m (18) Up smooth bulgy rock, past some old pins, then take RH crack to ledge (rap-anchor - 30m).

  2. 20m (16) Easy short wall to ledge.

  3. 10m (18) Crack through summit overhang. Rap slings - 60m to ground or 30m to P1 anchors.

FA: Rosandra Alpine Club, 1965

FFA: , David Shirra & early's, 1970

Trad 65m, 3 Arapiles
17 Preludes

Start at the beginning of the gully, in the gap behind Minstrel Pinnacle. Good tricky and enjoyable crack climbing, but with some questionable rock.

FA: Phillip Stranger & Rob Taylor, 1967

Trad 35m Arapiles
20 Dwarf Pumper

Self explanatory. Far right side of cave. A 'Nowra' style mini pumpfest. Three RB's up steep orange wall. Double RB lower off at top.

FA: Neil Monteith & Joe Morgan-Payler, 2002

Sport 8m, 3 Mt Stapylton Campground
7 Little Revolver Crack

Discontinuous cracks.

Start: Start just L of 'Revolver Crack'.

Trad 20m Arapiles
13 Skippy

Third line of bolts from the left. Rappel station at top.

FA: James McIntosh & Melanie Taws, 1988

Sport 25m, 5 Camels Hump
18 Lines N' Noses

Fun little jug fest up the left side of the wall on a subtle arete. Starts 1.5m left of 'In Halen' at left edge of main wall.

FA: Neil Monteith & Will Monks, 2005

Sport 12m, 4 Hollow Mountain (N & NE side of Mt. Stapylton)
20 Thunder Crack

The obvious main crack on the L side of the S face of Bluff Major. Wander up the crack to the top. It’s possible to head L to the anchor of FD if you want to lower off, otherwise top out.

FA: Ian Guild & Mike Stone, 1965

Trad 30m Arapiles

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