Crystal Brook
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| | Raps:7, max ↨131ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Granite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 13 Apr 2024
"An epic day! We started quite late, just after 10am as it was 3 degrees at sunrise. The flow was quite low ~1.26m.. Crystal Brook requires great t |
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| Best season: | Nov-Mar
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-36.7198, 146.8176
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Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
Crystal Brook Canyon v5a5V*** is in many ways the prize of Mt Buffalo. It is a sequence of demanding abseils down a dramatic waterfall. It requires excellent teamwork, a tolerance for exposure and experience operating on hanging or semi-hanging anchors.
It is strongly recommended that you do this in low flow conditions only which the Canyoning Around Victoria guidebook describes as 1.3m or less at the Buckland River at Harris Lane river gauge. The book states "anything but low flow is a foolhardy misadventure".
Approach[edit]
Drive to and park at George Day Visitor Area (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qv8Ai9jgUQWhMQDz6) near Mount Buffalo Chalet.
R1 is from bolts with mallions on a large boulder. It's not far from the track on the river right and is well away from any flow.
Descent[edit]
This canyon is described in comprehensive detail in Canyoning Around Victoria guidebook. Buy the book and support Rob and Sam. They put in an inordinate amount of effort to create the book.
The book includes a great topo.
Tips[edit]
- Do not underestimate this canyon. It requires good teamwork, SRT and preparation. Be ready for hanging anchors, cold water and exposure.
- The anchor for R4 is cold and wet... you will be showered upon while you manage the anchor. You WILL get cold. Wetsuit hoods and spray jackets are recommended. It is also difficult to spot in anything but the lowest of flow. You can bypass this anchor by using two 80m ropes from the actor of R3.
- Take a Kong Panic Draw (45cm version) for R7 if you're short or even moderately tall. It's high and out over the edge... and can even be difficult for tall people to reach. It may also come in handy for the R6 anchor.
Photos[edit]
Looking up at R3 anchor (where the canyoner is standing) and the rope descending from R2. (photo taken by Luke Barnett 31/12/2021)
The dreaded R4 anchor in low flow ~1.26m. It's a horrible spot. You WILL get cold. Avoid it by using two 80m ropes from the R3 anchor (photo of Ned Dale, taken by Kevin Weeks 13/4/2024).
Photo of the R7 anchor demonstrating how high it is. Helps to have a Kong Panic Draw or some other method of extension so you can clip the bolts.
Exit[edit]
The exit begins ~200m down the creek from the bottom of R7. There is a small cairn on the RR that is hard to spot. The ascent is almost opposite (south) of the tourist lookout on the northern side of the canyon.
You will eventually meet the climbers track (cairns and hand-lines) that is used to access Angel's Buttress and The Path of Genghis Buttress -https://www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/australia/buffalo/the-gorge-south-side/area/11983567. You can loosely use images of these climbs to reference your ascent.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Crystal Brook canyon v5a5V*** described in comprehensive detail in Canyoning Around Victoria guidebook. This is a great book which details many other canyons in the region.
