Help

Windjammer Wall

17

Seasonality

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

Description

The best thin (exciting!) single pitch face climbing in the Ampitheatre, possibly the best of its style in the 'Grampians'. 'Excellent' edges, horizontals and pockets on gritty rock. This is the most developed cliff on the vast blob of rock below 'Lower Taipan Wall'. Due to its exclusion from the Tempest/Mentz Select Guide this area has been totally neglected - which is very unfortunate as it really is a fantastic crag. Some of the routes are almost sport-climbs and others are definitely not. Shade until early afternoon. The wall fell out of favour after it was badly affected by the 2014 fires; although the scarring remains evident, it seems that the rock is mostly very solid (at least, it is on the popular routes!).

© (nmonteith)

Access issues inherited from Grampians

Climbing restrictions apply to many crags in Gariwerd/Grampians. Some of these restrictions are likely to change over time as assessments are completed. Tags are being applied to most crags to reflect their current status. Additional access-notes are provided to clarify restrictions where required (and will over-ride this notice). Current and further Parks Victoria advice can be found at https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/grampians-national-park/rock-climbing-in-gariwerd

Approach

Walk from Camp Sandy, then turn right onto main walking track.

Alternatively, walk up Flat Rock and turn right at the sign to Stapylton Campground.

Follow the track down into the valley, cross a log-bridge over a swamp / clearing and continue for about 150 metres. The cliff can be seen up to the left. Turn left at small cairn and follow faint path to cliff. In all, no more than 30 minutes from the car. People tend to arrive at a flake-buttress (Rosy The Riveter) that marks the left side of the main wall.

© (nmonteith)

Descent notes

Shared lower-offs above routes on left hand side. Descents on right hand side are by single-rope abseils rather than lower-offs as the anchors are usually above some sharp edges. 'Access' to the top of the crag is a total nightmare of grey explodo jugs so make sure you can make it up your chosen route! Climbs are described from left to right.

© (nmonteith)

Ethic inherited from Grampians

Grampians / Gariwerd access issues have emerged (2019) due to potential risk to the environment and cultural sites. Climbers need to be aware that there are significant Aboriginal sites in the Grampians, especially in cave areas. Please take time to understand the access situation. Leave no trace and climb responsibly.

Please note that due to the fact that the Grampians is a National Park, dogs and other pets are not allowed in the park except in vehicles on sealed roads and in sealed car parks.

===Cliffcare Climber’s Code===

  • Find out about and observe access restrictions and agreements.

  • Use existing access tracks to minimise erosion - keep to hard ground & rock surfaces.

  • Do not disturb nesting birds or other wildlife.

  • Protect all native vegetation, especially at the base of cliffs. Wire brushing to remove mosses and 'gardening' in cracks and gullies is not permitted. Use slings to protect trees while belaying or abseiling if belay anchors are not provided.

  • Respect sites of geological, cultural, or other scientific interest. Do NOT develop new climbs in or near Cultural Heritage sites.

  • Chalk has high visual impact - minimise your use of it. Parks Victoria have requested the use of coloured chalk in Gariwerd.

  • Minimise the placement of fixed equipment, especially where Trad gear is available. Respect any "no bolting" areas.

  • Do not leave any rubbish - take it home with you.

  • Dispose of human waste in a sanitary manner (bury, or even better pack it out). Do not pollute water supplies.

  • Off-road driving is illegal in Gariwerd.

  • Keep campsites clean, and do not light campfires outside of official metal fire pits.

For more detailed information visit https://www.cliffcare.org.au/education

Tags

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

Routes

Add route(s) Add topo Reorder Bulk edit Convert grades
Grade Route

Don't try to off-width it! The steep corner on the left side of the flake buttress marking left side of main wall. Three FHs and a optional medium cam. Rap-anchor.

FA: Kieran Loughran, Meg Sleeman, Norm Booth, Louise Shepherd, Tania Lieman & Keith Lockwood, 1994

Why? Balancy face 3m R of 'Rosy the Riveter' to steep, R-leading horizontal crack. Perhaps you traverse R here. Who knows? The description doesn't say.

FA: Peter Woolford, Matt Darby & Stephen Hamilton, 1995

Contrived. Shallow corner groove on right side of flake-buttress. Take care placing RPs at start then up and slightly right.

FA: Peter Woolford, 1995

Nice style. If only Captain Bligh had had a #4 cam! Desperate crimpy start, juggy wall then a technical grit boulder problem finish just when you thinks it is all over.

Start: Start from a flake where the buttress abuts the main face. Pop some gear in crevice at start (or use stick to clip bolt). Four RB's, #3 or 4 cam. Rebolted 2017.

FA: Hugh Widdowson, 1994

Technical pocket pulling. Start down right and dog-leg past three RBs to join original at bolt below break. Rebolted 2017.

FA: Hugh Widdowson, 1994

A direct route up the smooth orange wall. Several huge dynamic moves, and is very well protected despite appearances. Rebolted 2017. A hold may have come off this route making it harder

FA: Steve Monks, 1995

Start just right of 'Abandon Ship' and head directly up the line of bolts. Some bouldery cruxes down low with an easy top out. Grade is a suggestion and may go up or down. Rebolted 2017

FA: Equipped by Steve Monks, 1994

FFA: Byam K, 7 Feb 2021

Cast away! A superb sustained wall. Start at base of ramp just right of 'Abandon Ship'(can also be started direct via RB 4m R of OSB as for TOMW). Move R up easy ramp (a range of gear available eg 0.75 camalot) to first RB. Delicately past RB to break (0.4 camalot or wire) and up to RB. Continue strenuously leftwards past two more RBs and an elegant mono-doigt at the top. Rebolted 2017.

FA: Steve Monks, 1995

Beautiful, steep ripply wall. Start easily just right of smooth orange rock (can be started direct via RB 4m R of OSB). Up right along ramp, ignoring high RB, then up past RB, step left to runners and straight up to horizontal break. Blast boldly up bulge to RB and on to chain. Trad gear is small/med cams and wires. Rebolted 2017

FA: Louise Shepherd & Norm Booth, 1994

Hard boulder start followed by some more thin face moves. Start 5m R of Talk of Mad Women. Boulder off the R end of the low block up to a good rest on the ramp. Some more thin moves lead to the fun juggy steep upper head wall.

FA: Matt Brooks, 25 Sep 2022

Hard crux. Bridge up using a convenient tree about 12m right of Talk Of Mad Women and onto the wall. Hand traverse right to avoid all of the big loose blocks sitting on the ledge and up to FH. Hard crux past FH then more easily straight up juggy wall past another FH to belay at double FHs above 'Spice Islands'. Walk off right to rap anchors above 'Lord Jim' to descend.

FA: Keith Lockwood & Norm Booth, 1995

Keeps your interest.Hard start and exciting, pumpy moves on the bulge. Start in centre of wall, about 10m right of 'Roaring Forties'. Pull off boulder onto wall, FH, and crank hard to reach break. Left a fraction at 2nd FH then back right and up to mailbox slot (vital large wire). Motor up and left on the headwall, hoping that the hidden 3rd FH will be staring you in the face when you peer over the top of it. Pull up and continue with a big runout to double bolt anchors. Walk right to chains above 'Lord Jim' to descend.

FA: Keith Lockwood & Kieran Loughran, 1994

Hard start past FH 3m right of Spice Islands. Up past small wires and cams to second FH, clip FH out to the right on Anchors Away before moving left and up past final FH.

FA: Ross Taylor & Simon Madden, 2013

Serious. Scarcely a natural runner worth spitting on in the first half. Start at tree 10m R of 'Spice Islands', 1m L of 'Lord Jim'. Use tree to gain several metres, clip the 2nd bolt of 'Lord Jim', drop down a bit and traverse 4m L. Weave up wall with a variety of dubious runner arrangements, to bolt R of yellow streak. Up headwall then follow jugs dramatically L for 3m on crest of headwall. Go up when it seems to be the best option.

FA: Keith Lockwood, Keiran Loughran, Meg Sleeman, Eric Jones & Norm Booth, 1994

Glorious juggy rock on the headwall after a couple of moves that are much easier if you're tall. Screwgate for 1st FH, #1½ cam between 3rd and 4th bolt. 5 FHs. Start 11m right of Spice islands below left side of orange streaks. Hard bouldery start past bolt, teeter past second bolt then motor up wall. It would be wise not to touch the fragile flake up right of 5th bolt... but there isn't much else to use, so take care.

FA: Keiran Loughran, Keith Lockwood & Norm Booth, 1994

"Nice climbing, despite its humble appearance", Noddy. The only humble thing on this climb will be you if you take it lightly. The first climb on the wall. Take a few slings for the headwall. Towards right end of wall is a long roof-line. Start left of the left end of roof in a grove of native pines about 3m right of 'Lord Jim'. Step off long, skinny boulder and follow your nose up the wall past a loose FH to an obvious slot with a tuft of reedy grass 2/3rds of the way up the wall. Straight up steeply to finish.

FA: Keith Lockwood & Louise Shepherd, 1994

It's the final step that counts. Start at extreme R end of wall, at easy L-facing corner. Up corner to roof and traverse L for miles until roof is only 1m wide and crossable. Up over roof and R-wards to finish.

FA: Louise Shepherd & Keith Lockwood, 1994

Did you know?

Did you know that you can create an account to record, track and share your climbing ascents? Thousands of climbers are already doing this.

Selected Guidebooks more Hide

Author(s): Steve Toal

Date: 2019

The Central Grampians Comprehensive Guide books are the most extensive climbing guide to the Grampians. With two volumes they cover the popular areas but also many of which have never been in print before.

Volume 1 of the Central Grampians guide covers the North and East regions and features over 1400 routes spread over 124 crags. Painstakingly put together by Steve Toal, his guides have now become the go-to for climbers for the area.

Author(s): Steve Toal

Date: 2019

The Central Grampians Comprehensive Guide books are the most extensive climbing guide to the Grampians. With two volumes they cover the popular areas but also many of which have never been in print before.

Volume 2 of the Central Grampians guide covers the West and South regions and features over 970 routes spread over 55 crags. Painstakingly put together by Steve Toal, his guides have now become the go-to for climbers for the area.

Author(s): Simon Madden, Ross Taylor, David Peason and Taylor Parsons

Date: 2016

ISBN: 9780646955544

"Australia's premier bouldering destination! The new 2016 Edition Grampians Boulder guide authored by Simon Madden, Ross Taylor, David Peason and Taylor Parsons. It contains more than 1300 problems which is double the original guide. Heaps of new information on established areas as well as the inclusion of plenty of boulders and crags not published before. It also features update idiot proof layout and expanded history and culture notes. Get one and start cranking!"

Accommodations nearby more Hide

Share this

Wed 26 Apr
Check out what is happening in Windjammer Wall.

Get a detailed insight with a timeline showing

  • Ticks by climbers like you
  • Discussions of the community
  • Updates to the index by our users
  • and many more things.

Login to see the timeline!

Deutsch English Español Français Italiano 한국어 Português 中文