★★★ Don't Talk, Just Climb 20

Lower Orange Wall, Isolated Peak, Mt Barney

Approach. Approach from Lower Portals Carpark on Lower Portals Track. At the saddle, continue straight into the bush heading 210 degrees magnetic all the way to Isolated Peak. From leaving the trail you will follow a very old fence line until you cross a dry creek. Continue straight towards the East Wall of Isolated Peak keeping a little left and over 2nd little creek crossing and straight on to a 3rd creek crossing. Continue straight to East Ridge/left side of East Wall of Isolated Peak. As you get closer, there is large steep ridge/talus on the eastern most part of the mountain and you can avoid this by traversing up and right as it becomes steeper. The start of the climb can be identified as the first major right leaning crack from the eastern most park of the ridge/cliff. Most of the bush is open bush. Bush navigation can be aided by use of available GPS trail.

1. (15) 50m - Best belay is on ledge about 7m scramble up to the start of the corner. Begin on easier terrain up the left leaning corner towards the right leaning crack. Once on the wall there is some fun climbing with good gear between a couple run outs. Continue up the crack/face and pull through exciting roof to belay from the tree.

2. (12) 17m - Climb up past tree and right through slab section onto a large ledge on the left. Watch for loose rocks on ledge. Belay from large rock on ledge. (Natural line continuing straight up right - looks doable but not super fun and with poor rock quality).

3. (20) 25m - Start on overhang just to the left of the big boulder. Much of the pitch overhanging, the first moves are the crux. Compulsory small blue alien (size??) protects the technical start with a couple small-mid sized cams protecting a few moves immediately above of similar grade. Creative slightly easier climbing continues up to a short hand jam crack that tops out with a mantel onto the ledge. Belay from tree and careful of loose rocks on top of the climb.

Descent can be done with a beautiful scrabble up the ridge to the top of Isolated Peak, or as a 2-pitch abseil.

From tree belay at top of 3rd pitch, climb up and left to the ridge line. Stay on ridge line to the summit with some slight deviations left and right as required. Top section gets steeper and more exposed.