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The Fourth Dial

  • Grade context: AU
  • Ascents: 53

Climbing in this area is not permitted.

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Description

An old fashioned cliff with an adventurous feel. Good single and multi-pitch routes at a variety of grades. Watch out for loose rock on less travelled routes. The guide for this area is out of print (South Eastern Grampians: A rock climbing guide, Chris Baxter/VCC 1991) and it may be hard to get a copy of it. A 40m section towards the left end of of the cliff has been irreprably damaged by the '06 bushfires.

© (willmonks)

Access issues

Prioritised for Review

© (willmonks)

Approach

From Halls Gap, head 10km south along the Halls Gap - Dunkeld road. When you come to the Borrough Huts campground (on your left) there is a dirt road heading off on the right (un-signposted). This is the Redmans Road. Follow it for 3.7km to a where a gated track (the Dials track) heads off right. Walk south along it for 2.5km/30min until you reach the highpoint of the track, where a large cairn appears on the right. A fairly distinct logging track heads right in to the bush - follow this for 10min up the spur (some cairns) to the left end of the cliff.

© (willmonks)

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

Solid going, steep and intimidating. Originally graded 14.

Start: Near where the track reaches the cliff, a corner leading to a large roof.

FA: Roland Pauligk & Ann Pauligk, 1973

A great line providing sensational, well protected climbing for the grade. Initialled. 45m abseil possible from bollards, otherwise walk off.

Start: from where the track reaches the cliff, head right until you reach the prominient initialled corner.

  1. 26m (14) The corner, over three bulges.

  2. 26m (12) Chimney to ledge at 12m. Left around blocks, up crack.

FA: Chris Baxter & Darly Carr (alt), 1968

A crag classic with a stunning second pitch. The original start is not much chop - ?the direct should make for a better climb. P2 & 3 could be combined quite easily.

Start: 7m right of salvation is an inital, G.

  1. 20m (16) Original route: Follow the crack for 6m then rising traverse to the prominent corner. 1a) Grouch Direct (20m 18): from the intial (GD) 4m R of salvation, climb overhang, step L into crack and veer R around arete to foot of corner.

  2. 30m (18) Up corner to roof, head left a couple of meters and continue up corner to ledge. A fantastic pitch.

  3. 12m (14) head left off ledge, and up corner.

FA: Darryl Carr & Roland Pauligk (alt), 1969

Supporting theCrag is not only good for your Karma
it also gives you access to great benefits on theCrag and beyond.

attractive face, but loose rock abounds. Is probably a bit harder than 18 as suggested in the SE guide.

Start: Start just left of OLD and climb the attractive face.

FA: Hugh Foxcroft & Ed Neve, 1982

Prominent initalled corner. 'Worthless' and very dangerous.

Start: 60m right of 'Salvation' is a prominent initalled corner.

  1. 17m (11) the line.

  2. 23m (11) the line. Take care with death blocks.

FA: Norm Booth & Garry Sudholz (alt), 2000

Beautiful face climbing, although the line is a bit contrived. Well protected.

Start: approximately 70m right of OLD is a corner and intial 'C'. Right of this is a clean face approximately 8m wide, with a ledge at its base and chimney on its R (initalled 'A'). Scramble 3m up crack on left side of ledge and belay on ledge.

FA: Ed Neve & Peter Martin, 1989

A classic, varied and interesting climbing with a goey crux. Well protected.

Start: Approximately 10m R of GF is a prominent initial, 'G'.

FA: Roland Pauligk & Derek Lord, 1969

a nice short route with good protection and just a touch of loose rock.

Start: 20m up and right around the corner from 'Gomper' is a painted square below a featured crack.

FA: Peter Jacob & Roland Pauligk, 1970

a varied climb with some fantastic jaming and a balancy, exciting crux.

Start: 2m right of 'Plummet', below a prominent hand crack runs up the middle third of the cliff.

FA: Peter Martin & Richard Bugg, 1989

This crag is unlocated

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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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