Arethusa Canyon
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| | Raps:3-6, max ↨98ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Oct-May, BEST Nov-March
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-33.6589, 150.3467
-33.6693, 150.3493
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Introduction[edit]
A high quality canyon with everything. Some would call it the birthplace of canyoning in NSW. Close to Leura this canyon includes two abseils of 26 & 30 metres on approach and a single abseil of ~15 metres in canyon actual. Navigation in the canyon is straightforward with many scrambles, jumps (optional), swims and even a small cave along the length of the canyon. The canyon has several opportunities for impressive photographs. The exit involves three small rock climbs (Ewbank grade 14, 12, 19) of which the 3rd one usually has a hand-line to assist the climber. Take 5 quickdraws.
Water levels[edit]
- Arethusa Canyon has a ~25 km² catchment which includes Upper and Lower Cascade Creek dams.
- After rain Arethusa water levels can increase significantly.
- There is no river gauge for Govetts Creek
- A very rough but sometimes relevant reading can be taken at the Grose river gauge a long way downstream, with a ~668 km² catchment. When >400 ML/d it usually means things are being flushed from somewhere in the Grose valley. It can take >12hours for the gauge to show more significant events near Govetts creek
Arethusa can be hazardous in moderate to high flow. Please consider one Near miss report from November 2023 when the Grose jumped from ~90 to ~450 ml/d
AlexM: "If you don't have swift water and canyon SRT training stay away. "
Approach[edit]
By car[edit]
- Straightforward access from Leura along Mt Hay Road (dirt road - usually does not require 4WD).
- Park at approx -33.66932, 150.34927 (area was blocked off in Oct 2023, some spots on the road)
- There's a park gate near -33.640, 150.347. If it's closed, this adds ~4km to your walk (~2km each way)
- Check Mount Hay Road for closures/current road conditions
By foot[edit]
- Walk north on an old closed fire trail until -33.6655, 150.3473
- Branch right / north-east onto a footpad (flagged with pink tape in 2020)
- Please do not use the previous canyon entry point from the end of the firetrail that proceeds through a sensitive wetland
- Follow the small path along the ridge in a northerly direction. When the ridge drops off more sharply, descend westward down a poorly pronounced ridge.
- Find the first anchor at about -33.6589, 150.3467
Descent[edit]
- Canyon entry involves two sequential dry abseils of approximately 26m and 30m each (abseil 1 and 2) down the canyon cliff-line
- Abseil 1: ~26m, off a ring from a chain connected to double bolts. Careful to position your rope away from some initial sharp ledges, the most worn path seems fine
- Abseil 2: ~30m, off a maillon rapide, long rope to double bolts on cliff wall
- After abseil 2, walk northwards down slope towards creek. Wetsuits can be donned near here
- Abseil 3 is the start of the canyon and is approximately 20m in height (from highest anchor to creek floor when the bowl is not full). Abseil 3 anchor slings exist on River Right, River Left and River Centre.
- River right ~10m - sling on horizontal board. Proceed through pothole and out window on side
- River left ~15m - sling on tree.
- River centre ~10m- sling on boulder inside a small boulder cave in the flow. Objectively hazardous and requires experience in navigating in low light and turbulent waterfall water that limits visibility. Head torches are recommended - it's quite dark if it's overcast or early/late in the day.
- The canyon dynamics at the bottom of the 3rd abseil can change significantly. In low water conditions you will land on creek-bed. In high water (after significant rain event) you will finish in up to 4m of water.
- In high water conditions abseil 3 can be jumped from the window in the rock on the river right line. First person must check depth.
- The river centre line contains a large pothole with side window opening into the creek. This window can be submerged in high water conditions. If you land in this pothole in high water conditions you may need to extract yourself from the pot (while water crashes down on you completely disorienting you) or be prepared to swim underwater through the window in highly aerated water. You don't want to be in this hole in high flow.
- In very high water conditions the pool at the bottom of abseil 3 can be aerated (providing low buoyancy) and strong current
- The river centre line on abseil 3 also contains smaller "squeeze" pothole + window that connects on the river left of the larger pothole + window. This smaller "squeeze" pothole can be very difficult to see. This pothole/shoot is small. Avoid - high risk of getting get stuck and potentially drowning.
- Six known near-miss incidents have occurred in river centre line of abseil 3 in recent history. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE IT! If you're not familiar with canyon SRT and rescue stay away.
- Proceed down canyon for 500m negotiating scrambles, jumps (optional) and swims
- Optional jumps are down-climbable in low flow conditions but bolts are present for high flow conditions. Check water depth before attempting any jumps due to submerged hazards
- Abseil 4: ~4m, off double bolts river left, at a larger rock platform what can also be climbed down. One rusty carrot near the centre, main river flow on river right
- The exit is to the right on approaching Arethusa Falls, up the spur that divides Arethusa from the river entering right (Alpheus Canyon)
- Proceeding down Arethusa Falls will result in a very very long walk out through the Grose Valley. Exit via Rodriguez Pass walking track up past Beauchamp falls to Evans Lookout
Exit[edit]
Details[edit]
- Bolt plates are not required. All bolts are eye bolts or hangers. The remaining carrot bolt on pitch 1 can be used as a foothold although there is an equally useful high left-foot on the rock.
- Bring a clipstick if you're not confident. Prevent an unnecessary rescue.
- Depending on party size the exit route can take a few hours (approx 3 hours).
- If you have to haul packs and and have inexperienced climbers in your party YOU WILL BE SLOW. Hauling packs will be difficult as the climbs are not sheer but meandering and have multiple obstacles.
- Use whistle signals or take two-way radios to communicate between lead climber and seconder/other party members. Seriously! Though short, these climbs absorb sound, there is flowing water nearby and most people struggle to yell loud enough over to communicate effectively.
- The dry exit route involves 3 small rock climbs of about 20m (meandering grade 14), 20m (meandering grade 12) and 6m (facey, vertical grade 19), followed by 3 hand-over-hand scrambles/climbs. The alternative wet exit skips the third pitch.
- Find the first pitch on the spur between Arethusa and Alpheus
- Pitch 1 (14, ~5 quickdraws) - no anchor in 2025 (bring yours - 2 tree options). proceed straight up then move along the ledge towards the arete on the left. The first pitch can be divided into two short pitches at a ledge which can aid pack hauling and party speed. Use a left foot on the carrot bolt or move a high left foot onto the rock. Enjoy the view of the falls from Alpheus from here. Proceed up the arete on the scrambly dirt section to the sling anchor on a tree. Follow the cliff line to the right after leaving the top of pitch 1.
- Pitch 2 (12, ~4 quickdraws) - no anchor in 2025 (bring yours, one good tree). Foot-jam onto a mantle beneath a sloped boulder in a slightly awkward position. Proceed around to the left on a ledge then up for some scrambling on the dirt before reaching the anchor on a tree sling. From the tree at the top of the second pitch, follow the path left as it traverses under the cliff and around the corner towards Alpheus canyon.
Standard Exit (Dry)[edit]
- The third pitch of about 6m is on the right and climbs up to a ledge. Alternatively you can avoid this climb by taking the Alpheus canyon exit variation. See notes below.
- Pitch 3 (19, 4-5 quickdraws, depending on how you would like to set-up the top belay) - double bolts on top. occasionally, there may be a handline. DO NOT RELY ON THIS THOUGH. A facey climb straight up 3 bolts. Slopey mantle to finish.
- The rock climbing routes are closely bolted.
- Sometimes hand lines are present on parts of these climbs to assist inexperienced climbers however, DO NOT rely on this. Lead climbing skills are mandatory.
- Participants should still be belayed for safety.
- Rock climbing shoes are not required but make the climbing much easier. Particularly if you aim to lead the climbs without assistance.
- No more than 5 quickdraws are required per pitch.
- The hand over hand scrambles/climbs are rigged with ropes to assist canyoners.
- If you are slow let faster parties past.
- After the third pitch, follow the traverse line along the ledge, then find the first handline to scramble up a 10 metre slippery gully
- After the gully walk up to the next cliffline, then proceed left, following the cliffline.
- Find the second handline, to climb a short vertical face approximately 2.5 meters tall.
- Proceed up to the next cliff-line and proceed right along the cliff-line till you find a third hand-line for a small 4 meter climb. Walk left for about 10 meters as it ramps up to the cliff-line.
- Proceed right and up to the ridge.
- Enjoy the view. Walk up the ridge to pick up the entry trail.
Alpheus Canyon Reverse Variation (Wet)[edit]
This variation allows you to experience the notable portion of Alpheus canyon. It contains a number of beautiful pools of which only the first is a required swim.
- Follow the standard exit track notes until the base of the third rock climbing pitch.
- From the base of the third rock climbing pitch proceed to walk up Alpheus canyon for a couple meters towards a small deep pool.
- Swim across the pool towards the river left (right if looking upstream) where a log can be used to climb up between two boulders.
- Proceed approximately 10 meters to a handline assisted climb on the river right (left if looking upstream).
- The hand over hand climb is split into two parts by a small ledge. The second half has a couple of bolts to assist the climb.
- After the hand over hand climb head along the river right approximately 30 meters to edge of a large deep pool with a ~6m waterfall.
- This waterfall is the first waterfall in Alpheus canyon and has a handline for descent. It is known to be slippery and it is not advised to climb it.
- Cross the creek to the river left between two large boulders with a crack between them.
- A small scramble on the river left will bring you to the ledge at the top of the third rock climbing pitch mentioned in the standard exit.
- Walk downstream on the river left along the ledge bypassing everything you’ve just traveled up, until you hit the first handline scramble up a 10 meter slippery gully described in the standard exit.
- From here follow the standard exit track notes to finish the exit.
Carne Wall (LONG Exit)[edit]
Rick Jamieson describes, in limited detail in Canyons Near Sydney, another exit via the Carne Wall. Abseil down Arethusa Falls (instead of climbing) into the valley. Follow Carne Wall around to the Pilcher Track or alternatively continue all the way down the gully to the tourist track.
This route requires a car shuffle or a massive walk back to Mt Hay Road. The route is also renowned for getting people lost.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
- The Fat Canyoners - Arethusa: visiting a new canyon in the New Year 22 January 2018
- The Fat Canyoners - Arethusa and Alpheus Canyons 18 March 2013
- OZ Ultimate - Arethusa Canyon 19 September 2003
- Sleep When We Are Dead - Arethusa 26 February 2017
- Vimeo - Arethusa Canyon 25 February 2017
- YouTube - Arethusa Canyon - 09 Jan 2022
- YouTube - Arethusa Canyon in the rain
YouTube.com : Richard Pattison, Arethusa Canyon movie
Background[edit]
The myth of Arethusa when Diana hides her from the sight of Alpheus:
"What are you rushing for, Arethusa?" Alpheus called from the waves. "Why are you rushing?" he called again to me, in a strident voice. Just as I was, I fled, without my clothes: so much the more fiercely he pursued and burned, and being naked, I seemed readier for him. I cried out: "Help me, I will be taken, Diana, help the one who bore your weapons for you." The goddess was moved, and raising an impenetrable cloud, threw it over me. The river-god circled the concealing fog, and in ignorance searched about the hollow mist. Twice, without understanding, he rounded the place. He did not go far. Cold sweat poured down my imprisoned limbs, and dark drops trickled from my whole body and moisture dripped from my hair, and faster than I can now tell the tale I turned to liquid. And indeed the river-god saw his love in the water, and putting off the shape of a man he had assumed, he changed back to his own watery form, and mingled with mine.
Ovid, The Metamorphoses Book V: Calliope sings of Arethusa and Alpheus