March 2024 Candy Mountain

Date: March 16, 2024
Location: Candy Mountain, Mt Tibrogargen

Last Saturday our merry party of 12 met up to climb some rock at Candy Mountain. Unperturbed by the forecast rain and threatening cloudy skies we had an awesome day at the crag, sending one route after another and sharing in the deep satisfaction of climbing progress amongst the crew, from new and old members alike.

The Crag
Candy Mountain is a great little crag at the base of the mighty Mt Tibrogargan. With short sport climbs ranging from grades 11 to 20, it’s an excellent introduction to outdoor climbing and great for those wanting to build confidence on top rope or go next level and start leading. It’s also a personal favourite of mine, for the shady afternoon vibes, meaning you don’t need to be up at the crack of dawn to avoid the sun, and can still enjoy a lazy weekend sleep in and have a full day of climbing in relative shady comfort.

Thrill of the Day
New member to the club and new to outdoor climbing, Sophie was impressively smashing out all the climbs, literally! Sophie rescued a loose centuries old chunk of volcanic granite rock and brought it back down safely to ground, possibly adding a grade to the climb? This was a handy reminder to always wear your helmet whilst climbing and belaying. Mt Tibrogargen is often known for chossy routes and loose rock can be tumbled from Multipitch climbers above. It was also a surprise to see nature loving photographer Marisa let out a scream when a beautiful Golden Orb spider was keenly spotted nearby.

Climbers Milestones
It was a joy to watch Mikey and Ale, both after a little break from climbing, brush away the cobwebs and return to lead climbing with vigor. The catch cry for the day was OndAle OndAle!

Lessons Learnt
Scotty Does ‘Shave for a Cause’ with his new baldy top took on mentor role as he showed Sophie the ropes on how to lead climb and lead-belay. Sophie did a perfect mock lead climb and got to experience the actions of leading while in the safety of a top rope set up. Scotty demonstrated how to correctly clip a fixed hanger, and also pointed out some bad habits belaying with a Gri Gri.

Trip report wrap-up
Our 3rd trip for the year was a great success. Newest members got to venture out onto real rock, whilst others got to practice and hone there climbing and leading skills with the fun and camaraderie of our merry crew of crushers. There was no whip of the day, because everyone was just too good!

As always, we can't wait for more adventures with you all! Let's catch up by the rocks real soon!

Happy climbing,
Brisbane Rockclimbing Club





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March 2024 Owl Pillar Day Trip

Date: March 2, 2024
Location: Owl Pillar, Ngungun

Hey there, fellow climbers and weekend warriors! Our latest escapade on March 2nd took us to the iconic crags of Owl Pillar and Flat Battery Wall, where we laughed, cheered, and maybe even shed a tear or two (but we'll blame that on the chalk dust, shall we?). Our day on the rocks was a whirlwind of excitement as we tackled a variety of climbs, each presenting its own unique set of challenges and thrills.

The Crag
We kicked off our adventure at Owl Pillar, where we took on classics like Afternoon Delight, a grade 18 route that offered sustained climbing and stunning views, Dawn Raid, grade 19, featuring a challenging ascent that tested our skills and determination and Morning Madness, the rightmost line of bolts on 'Owl Pillar' which offers a grade 18 and 21 variation. The route is a bit mossy and follows the line of 4 ring bolts to lower-off on the right. Part of the group also ventured to Flat Battery Wall, the slabby wall right opposite to Owl Pillar, where we were met with intriguing routes like Bad Move and Charger. Despite the occasional sketchy bolt clips and run-out sections, we embraced the opportunity to push our limits and work on our trust issues on precarious feet and thin crimps. John and Ale also set up a trad line on Flat Battery called Roof Climb from the top, providing a unique opportunity for sport climbers to test their skills and enjoy the stunning surroundings from a different perspective. Each climb brought us closer together as a team, reinforcing the bonds of the club and the shared passion for the sport.

Unexpected Thrill of the Day: Bad Move
Ah, Bad Move. The name says it all. This climb was like a rollercoaster ride of emotions, complete with heart-pounding moments and triumphant victories. With the first bolt a solid 4 meters off the ground (because who needs an easy start, right?), this route had us on our toes from the get-go. Despite having only two bolts to the anchor, the climb is short and sharp, testing at every move due to the run-out sections and sketchy clips to the second bolt. But you know what they say: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and we did feel invincible after conquering this bad boy!

Climbers Milestones
For Annalisa, Flat Battery Wall was more than just a crag – it was a statement of growth as it was where she took her very first lead outdoors just about 2 years ago! From feeling terrified and getting the first-ever taste of the 'Elvis leg' to leading and sending the same climbs of this wall, this was certainly a moment to remember in Annalisa's climbing journey. Angela also conquered a milestone sending Afternoon Delight for the very first time showing advancement in her strengths as a climber.

The Adventure's Misadventures
Ah, the misadventures. Because what's a climbing trip without a few unexpected twists and turns!? For this trip, it was the faulty quickdraw discovered mid-lead on Afternoon Delight. One minute, we're gearing up for an epic send, and the next, we're dealing with a potential groundfall. With the experienced Scotty on belay keeping a watchful eye he noticed after Nick had passed the second clip that the gate was stuck open and the rope had come out of the draw. Nick decided to make the tough call to downclimb to safety, they managed to avert disaster, fix the draw and complete the climb safely. Lesson learned: always double-check your gear– it could mean the difference between a great day on the rocks and a not-so-great trip to the ER!

Route of the Day
Last but certainly not least, let's talk about the route of the day: Afternoon Delight, situated on Owl Pillar, the grade 18 face climb. With its sustained climbing and jaw-dropping views, it was the perfect blend of challenge and reward. Sure, there were moments when we perhaps questioned some of our life choices, but in the end, this was the climb that reminded us that rock climbing is a sport that requires physical strength, technical skills, quick thinking, and teamwork.

Next time, let's do better
As we wrap up our trip report, let's take a moment to reflect on what we've learned. Whether it's checking our gear, communicating more effectively, or simply being there to support our fellow climbers in the challenging moments when we head out to the crag we are responsible for ourselves and each other. Because at the end of the day, it's not just about the climbs – it's about the friendships we forge, the memories we make, and the laughter we share along the way.

Trip report wrap-up
And there you have it, – our March 2nd adventure in all its glory! From heart-pounding climbs to unexpected misadventures, it was a day we'll never forget. Just like those perfect summer climbing days, we decided to wrap things up a tad early and head for a refreshing dip in the ocean at Caloundra on Our way back to Brisbane. Take a look at the pictures to see some amazing acrobatic skills on the sandy shores.

As always,we look forward to more adventures together and hope to see you all on the rocks soon!

Happy climbing,
Brisbane Rockclimbing Club

P.S. Lindsey likes bush-bashing



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February 2024 Octopuses Garden Adventure

Date: February 18, 2024
Location: Octopuses Garden, Ninderry

Greetings, climbers! The BRC kicked off its 2024 season with a day trip to Octopuses Garden at Ninderry. Our team of nine climbers, including Annalisa, Scott, Hannah, John, Seb, Carlos, Amin, Liam, and Anna - and Anna's faithful crag furry buddy, Harley, embarked on a day trip filled with challenges, triumphs, and a few unexpected surprises.

The Crag
Although located near the Glass House Mountain National Park, Ninderry isn't counted among the "Glassies," making it one of the rare destinations where our beloved crag dogs can join in on the adventure! Despite the crag being slightly wet, our spirits were high as the weather was perfect—a welcome relief after the long, wet, and hot summer Queensland has experienced. The all-day shady, Eastern-facing crag provided excellent repair from the sun, and the temperatures were just right for climbing. Octopuses Garden boasted 29 climbing routes, predominantly sport, with a trad wall yet to be added to the guide. Offering a good mix of climbs encompassing various styles, it's a playground for climbers of all preferences. The rock's highly featured surface adds to the enjoyment, providing a pleasing experience on the wall for climbers of all levels!

The 8-legged Unexpected Thrill of the Day
As we began our exploration of the Octopuses Garden's rock face, Scotty experienced a memorable encounter with a different 8-legged creature while midway through his first climb of the day, "Lava Tube" (18). Despite the initial shock, Scotty managed to keep a somewhat composed demeanour. After a brief moment of contemplation, he devised an alternative beta and bravely continued his ascent. It's a testament to his resilience and quick thinking in the face of unexpected challenges - after all, climbers' words during cruxes and creepy crawly encounters are like chalk dust in the wind, fleeting and often amusing. Praise to the belayers who understand that fun and panic go hand in hand on the wall! Fortunately, the spider was easily avoidable, allowing us to proceed with our day's climbing plans. Tucked snugly in her little nook, our eight-legged friend diligently watched over her precious egg sack as we all took our turns on the climb. We made sure to give her a polite wave from afar and snapped a bunch of photos to mark the occasion!

Climbers Milestones
Carlos achieved a personal milestone by sending his first 23, "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash" while Hannah led her first 19 "Nemo". Seb spent part of the day projecting "Raptures of the Deep" (25), showing determination and skill - one to come back for!

The Adventure's Misadventures
While the hours passed in our nested shady piece of summer climbing heaven, not all adventures went as planned. Seb and Carlos took a detour on the approach and found themselves at the crag directly above, "The Eastern Seaboard." Their solution? They decided to rappel down "Just Add Water," a 30-meter, 2-bolt multipitch route that conveniently linked the two crags. Talk about perfect timing, as John had just set up the route! Meanwhile, Amin took a wrong turn at the 'big boulder' and accidentally stumbled upon Caves crag instead. Anna also found herself off the beaten path before being guided back by Harley through a bushier route than originally intended, joining the club of "lost climbers" in style. - Ah, the joy of tricky approaches!

Route of the Day
One of the highlights of the day was the route "Lava Tube," the 16m sport climb rated 18. Despite - or perhaps because of the spider encounter, everyone enjoyed the highly featured climb, especially the fun boulder problem coming out of the scoop. A word of caution: Mind the tree on the lowering!

Next time, let's do better
Looking back, there are always areas for improvement. Better directions to the crag would have been helpful, as most climbers ended up at the crag above "The Eastern Seaboard," causing confusion and delays for those arriving later in the day. For climbers new to the area, it's wise to buddy up with someone who knows the ropes and can lead the way and pay close attention to landmarks listed on The Crag’s approach description.

Trip report wrap-up
Overall, our first trip of 2024 was a great success, filled with challenges, achievements, and the camaraderie that makes our club special. The perpetual shade of the Eastern-facing crag made it the ultimate summer climbing spot. With a diverse range of grades and styles, it catered perfectly to our multi-level group, ensuring everyone could tackle routes suited to their skills and preferences while providing some fantastic opportunities for climbers to push their limits, conquer new challenges, and celebrate personal milestones along the way. Truly, Octopuses Garden offered something for everyone, making it a fantastic destination for summer adventures.

We look forward to more adventures together and hope to see you all on the rocks soon!

Happy climbing,
Brisbane Rockclimbing Club

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BRC BLUE MOUNTAINS TRIP 2017

Blue Mountains 2017

2017 culminated for the Brisbane Rockclimbing Club with an 8 day trip to the Blue Mountains (‘the Blueys’), in NSW. With over 3000 climbs across 50+ crags, the greatest problem with climbing at the Blueys is having enough time to climb everything that you want to try!

There was certainly no shortage of exceptional climbing on this trip and, with the weather turning on some beautiful days throughout our stay, there were very few rest days happening! With an ample array of trad, sport and multipitch climbing across a huge variety of grades, there was certainly something for everything on the Blueys trip!

From the variety of Mt York and Shipley Upper to the cruisy options at Bardens Lookout and the Soft Parade – and let’s not forget the memorable multipitches – the BRC certainly made the most of their time in the Blue Mountains!

Some of the multi-pitch highlights were ‘Bunny Bucket Buttress‘ (270m, 8 pitches, grade 18), ‘Sweet Dreams’ (120m, 6 pitches, grade 14) and, ‘Hotel California’ (350m, 10 pitches, grade 22). There were too many great climbs to mention, including some pumpy roof climbing that really put our climbers to the test. Thankfully there were some triumphant moments as climbers conquered their personal projects and also delivered some fantastic onsites at very respectable grades!

The Blue Mountains is abundant with amazing views and locations and although exposure was certainly a prominent feature at many of the more lofty locations, there were also some beautiful crags which offered less confronting surrounds.

New Year’s Eve was celebrated with a communal BBQ and some rock climbing trivia which tested everyone’s knowledge and skills! And the New Year’s Day tradition of climbing at Dam Cliffs was continued with some sublime sendage – including a procession of climbers on ‘Wet Feet’, a traverse above water which is impressive to watch and challenging to master (especially when all eyes are on you!)

All in all, the Blue Mountains turned on beautiful weather and some amazing locations which delighted all who attended. There were plenty of beautiful moments to be celebrated, but definitely enough challenges to bring us back again in the future!

BRC ARAPILES TRIP 2013

Arapiles 2013

Well the club had an awesome trip to Arapiles ...again, this year. This trip saw 7 newcomers to the magical place of climbing called Arapiles and all of them want another trip next year. Lots of 3 star climbs were climbed along with many many metres of enjoyable climbing.

One could list a cavalcade of climbs done in the 2 weeks such as Scorpion, Thunder Crack, Eurydice, Watchtower Crack, Resignation, Lamplighter, The Shroud - sort of ha ha, Missing Link, Eskimo Nell, Muldoon, Checkmate, Little Dinosaur, King Rat, Hot Flap, The Bard, Dirge, Piccolo, Conifer Crack, D Minor, Surface to Air, Agent Orange etc etc. We climbed everyday except one really wet Wednesday and that was spent at the Grampians under a dry overhang :) .

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