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Bluff Minor

  • Grade context: AU
  • Ascents: 47

Fixed Gear: Rap slings

Rap slings at top of Bluff Minor are looking Very weathered. Take care and inspect well prior to use and bring something to replace them with just I case. A short length of chain 0.5m approx would be great to replace the tat.

See warning details and discuss

Created 5 months ago

Seasonality

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

The eastern half of the bluffs.

Emergency Location: Mount Arapiles, Bluffs Area

Access issues inherited from Arapiles

Cultural heritage closures now apply to some parts of Arapiles. This advice continues to evolve and may not be fully reflected in this website; refer to Parks Victoria for details applicable at the time of your visit. https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/documents/management-plans/mount-arapiles-tooan-state-park/mount-arapiles-tooan-state-park---aboriginal-cultural-heritage-protections---october-2020.pdf

Bird Nesting September-December Raptors usually nest on the following climbs in Spring : Cassandra, Eurydice, Harlequin Cracks, Revelations. Nesting usually finishes mid-December. There may or may not be signs in place at these times. Please keep 50m clear of these climbs if there appears to be nesting activity.

State Park - no dogs. No fires allowed Oct-Apr (inclusive).

Approach

Approach up Ali's to the S face. For the E or N face scramble through Ali Baba's cave (right of Denim Wall) and up.

Descent notes

Down climb the short wall facing the gap and around R.

Ethic inherited from Arapiles

Mount Arapiles is first and foremost a trad climbing area. The few sport climbs tend to be in the higher grades where no natural pro is available.

Bolting, particularly retro-bolting, is discouraged and should only be undertaken after extensive consultation with the local climbers, first ascensionists, etc. Inappropriately placed bolts have been chopped.

Do not chip the rock.

Look after the park.

  • Stick to the paths.

  • Don't disturb the wildlife.

  • Routes near peregrine falcon nesting sites are closed in the spring.

  • Minimise the impact of your camping (fuel stoves not fires, take your rubbish with you, etc).

Tags

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

Routes

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Grade Route

From Ali Baba's Cave, scramble up to a ledge between Bard Buttress and Bluff Minor. You ascend the southeast face of Bluff Minor, overlooking the Pines. Epic summit vibes.

  1. 10m (12) Unprotected start then up to ledge.

  2. 35m (10) Steep to ledge, L onto block, up mossy wall, then easily to belay under headwall.

  3. 10m (6) Up to the summit. Rap off a slung boulder on the summit into the gap between Bluff Minor and Bluff Major.

FA: Rob Taylor & Reg Williams, 1965

Start 2m R of the north arete of Bluff Minor (this is just opposite TKO on Bluff Major). Climb up the vague weakness on crap rock with no pro.

FA: Kevin Lindorff & Glenn Tempest, 1977

Start on top of Bluff Minor. Take a massive leap across the chasm onto the east face of Bluff Major, with only a small sloping foothold to aim for. Now climb the arete.

FA: Peter Jackson & 1960s, 2000

Start at the top of TK, at the south side of the slot. Chimney out above the Keyhole towards Central Gully, then move around arete onto the south face of Bluff Minor, which is easy but exposed, to bag the summit.

FA: Chris Baxter & Andrew Smith, 1966

Start 5m R of Bulger DS.

  1. 10m (20) Roof crack then go 4m R.

  2. 15m (22) Diagonally L up weakness through roof then up to ledge.

  3. 17m (18) Finish up just R of the arete to the summit of Bluff Minor.

FA: Rod Young & Ant Prehn (alt), 1980

FA: Rod Young & Ant Prehn (alt), 1980

Start on the ledge R of Locksmith (which is also the start of pitch 2 of Vixen).

  1. 10m (22) Crack through roof

  2. 20m (22) Mantle at 5m then delicate wall.

FA: Kim Carrigan & Chris Baxter, 1979

FA: Kim Carrigan & Chris Baxter, 1979

Start just R of Rd'E, as for Vixen pitch 2.

  1. 10m (22) Up face and roof as for p2 of Vixen then move L to belay.

  2. 20m (22) Step L, and then up as directly as you can, about 1.5m L of pitch 2 of Rd'E.

FA: Mark Moorhead, Glenn Tempest & Jeff Lamb, 1981

FA: Mark Moorhead, Glenn Tempest & Jeff Lamb (pitch 1 only), 1981

FFA: Kim Carrigan & Chris SHepherd, 1982

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Selected Guidebooks more Hide

Author(s): Simon Mentz, Glenn Tempest

Date: 2016

ISBN: 9780987526427

This selected yet in depth guide, in its third edition in 2016, is a must for first timers or regulars to the "Pines". By Simon Mentz and Glenn Tempest. It features 1200 routes over 23 different areas as well as bouldering, history info on flora and fauna, plus heaps more.

Author(s): Gordon Poultney, Simon Carter

Date: 2013

ISBN: 9780987087461

444 of the best routes on the best stone on earth? Yes Please! Who has time for all those other wondering pitches anyway when Gordon Poultney and Simon Carter have picked out the classics and printed it in a pocket size handy guide with string attachment. You'll take it on the multipitches, you'll take it to read in the toilets, you'll take it everywhere!

Author(s): Lindorff, Goding & Hodgson

Date: 2011

ISBN: 9780646529387

Get ready to fully experience the rock climbing scene in Victoria with Sublime Climbs, a comprehensive guidebook authored by Kevin Lindorff, Josef Goding, and Jarrod Hodgson. This full-color, 380-page book covers the best climbing locations in the region, including Mt Arapiles, Mt Buffalo, and the Grampians. It features descriptions of over 700 routes, topographic maps, and breathtaking images. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the sport, Sublime Climbs has everything you need to make the most of your climbing experience in Victoria and experience all of it's classic routes.

Accommodations nearby more Hide

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Tue 25 Apr
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