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Chatauqua Peak

  • Grade context: AU
  • Ascents: 8
11

Seasonality

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Description

This cliff sits directly above Halls Gap. 'Access' is relatively easy and the climbing might be of some interest if you are staying in Halls Gap and looking for routes within walking distance. With one or two exceptions quality is not very high. The cliff is shaded on summer afternoons. A rap station services several of the climbs and avoids dirty loose top pitches.

© (armstp)

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

From Halls Gap drive up the Mt Victory road for about a km to a small parking area and the start of the 'Chatauqua Peak' walking track on the R. Alternately walk to this point from behind the pool and car park in Halls Gap [adds about 10 mins]. Follow the track to the saddle from where a route heads up the peak. Head about 150m towards the peak then drop/scramble down on the L to the foot of the cliff. Follow the cliff L ward. Routes are described R to L as you hit them.

© (armstp)

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

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Grade Route

Start: Obvious large orange corner towards the RH end of the cliff.

  1. 35m (8) The corner to a niche below the overhang. Move R around the bulge and R again to belay

  2. 30m (8) Move R to a dead tree [possibly long gone] then L up small gully and straight up to finish through a short chimney/crack.

FA: Kevin Lindorff & Ray Fenton [alts] Mark Coutts, 1974

Best to avoid the dangerous and dirty second pitch and traverse off L to the abseil bolts.

Start: 'Diagonal' crack 40m L of 'Breeding Ground'

  1. 25m (11) Climb the crack then up to ledge.

  2. 50m (11) Traverse 5m R then up on dirty unprotected rock to large bushy ledge. Move L across slab to finish up broken buttress.

FA: Kevin Lindorff & Ray Fenton [alts] mark Coutts, 1974

  1. 28m (14) L leading flake 6m L of 'Downard', when it runs out at the horizontal break step L and up slab [small cams] to next horizontal. Move L to finish up seam as for 'Butterfly Farm' [it is possible to go up directly but the rock is a bit rotten].

  2. 12m (4) Traverse up and L to large ledge, L along this to abseil bolts. [40m abseil to ground]

FA: Philip Armstrong & Peter Cody [alts], 2009

Good line with a nice slab to finish.

  1. 26m (14) Crack 6m L of ARB to detached looking block. Good small cams out R then slightly leftward up clean slab above to seam through bulge. Up this to belay on L under overhang.

  2. 12m (4) Traverse up and L to large ledge, L along this to abseil bolts. [40m abseil to ground]

FA: Philip Armstrong & Peter Cody [alts], 2009

One of the better easier routes, quite varied.

Start: Crack 8m L of BF

  1. 25m (14) Surprisingly awkward jam crack to small stance.

  2. 20m (14) A few thin moves to start, then up and slightly L to large ledge. Abseil bolts [40m to ground] The route originally finished up the dangerously unstable dirt slope with rocks sticking out of it to the L.

FA: Kevin Lindorff & Ray Fenton, 1974

Worse and dirtier than it looks, and it looks disgusting. Don't even think about doing the second pitch. Come to think of it just don't do any of it.

  1. 40m (12) The disgusting cleft around to the L of TPTB is climbed [and I use the term loosely] more on dirt than rock to the big ledge. If you have any sense left abseil off the rap bolts now.

  2. 50m (14) Up and R on poorly protected mank to ledge. Follow it right and tunnel behind pillar to finish up easy arete above it. A pointless and unpleasant excursion.

FA: Chris Baxter, Dave Gairn [alts] & David Schirra, 1988

Takes the nice looking flake corner on the L arête of 'Lip Service'. Start 1m L of LS. Up seam to bulge, committing moves L into base of flake corner, up this heading R at the top to the abseil bolts.

FA: Peter Cody & Philip Armstrong, 2009

Would be better if it were cleaner. Worthwhile. 5m L of the LS cleft.

  1. 40m (15) Up the crack and step R onto overhang. Straight up wall to ledge.

  2. 20m (14) Continue up steeply passing 2 overlaps.

FA: David Schirra & Chris Baxter [alts] Dave Gairns, 1988

Quite a good old fashioned crack struggle. Take a BD 4 and 5 for the second pitch.

  1. 25m (13) The deep jam crack 5m L of RD to the ledge below the overhanging corner.

  2. 15m (18) Jam and use small holds on the R wall to struggle up the off width crack to ledge. Sustained, and originally graded 15. If you can't get up it you can traverse L from the ledge and up a steep juggy wall at about grade 12.

  3. 25m (14) Step R and straight up wall as for P2 of 'Rattlesnake Daddy'. [Originally finished more easily to the L but the finish as described is much better].

FA: Kevin Lindorff & Ray Fenton, 1974

Supposed to be rather good, but I doubt anyone has ever repeated it to verify its quality or grade. Takes the prominent stepped corner line down the L hand end of the cliff.

  1. 30m (17) Climb broken flakes under L end of low roof to prominent L facing corner. Up this for a few meters then diagonally up L across slab to roof. Squeeze through gap, bridge next corner then step L to arete. Through overlap to jugs and stance.

  2. 20m (19) Awkward, sustained climbing up twin diagonal cracks to vertical flaring crack. Reach up and R to good holds and swing across to a stance. Step down to lower stance then traverse delicately R across wall passing a carrot [12mm, sling with a wire] at head height. Holds improve near arete. Up.

FA: Geoff Butcher & Michael Hampton, 1998

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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!"

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Wed 26 Apr
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