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Description
The Cockburn ranges is home to a very impressive cliffline, approx 100m high that runs for hundreds of km's around the whole range. Looks very impressive and 'clean' from a distance, but despite good looking lines, closer inspection reveals huge amounts of loose blocks and very little in the way of natural protection!
However, this small area was found that has some potential for a dozen or so cleaner climbs. If this remote area has you excited to do some climbing, this cliff is well worth a visit. Could definitely do with some bolts, and a rap anchor or two, but it wasn't going to be up to me if there should, or should not be bolts on this cliff-line. It's possible to do them without.
Access issues inherited from North
As for most of northern Australia, this region is mostly pastoral leases (cattle stations) or Aboriginal freehold. Many pastoral lessees are already diversifying into tourism activities or are interested to do so, including obtaining as required an ILUA or the like. See also https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/pastoral-leases, etc.
Climbing thus may well be a sustainable and economically positive tourism activity which, in ILUA-suitable locations, could be not only acceptable to but even appealing to pastoral lessees.
Given that pastoral leases cover around 44% of Australia it would be good to see some headway on access for sustainable and respectful recreational tourism uses such as climbing.
Approach
Drive exactly 3km east of the El-Questro Township turnoff. Look for a recessed cliff with a dry waterfall (during the dry). Park near small floodway, and wind your way up the creek, which gradually becomes an awesome boulder choked gully. Upon reaching the obvious cave below the cliff (takes about 45mins), climb up left to tall cave about 20m uphill from the wide descent chasm / gully.
Descent notes
Descent from these climbs is problematic. Leave an anchor to rap from for the day, or do an easy pitch to the top of the cliff and descend via the gully. Author rapped of a 'micro tree' into cave, but this is probably not recommended.
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