Hugh Gorge
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| | Difficulty:3B IV PG (v3a3 III) Raps:1, max ↨98ft
Red Tape:Permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:4WD - High Clearance | |||||||||||||||
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-23.6684, 133.2719
-23.7054, 133.2605
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Weather forecast
Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
This wilderness slot canyon with permanent water, is good year-round. In summer the air is boiling hot, and the water pleasant, and in winter the water freezing but the air a good temperature for swimming. In winter, a 5mm wetsuit will still be very cold.
There is a single 30m abseil, off a tree on the TL, and several downclimbs.
Grading:
V3
- Low Vertical flow. Rappels land in pools with calm water.
- Rappel anchors are easily reached.
- Rappels are easy. <= 30m. Rappels are separated by enough room to regroup.
- (V2) Easy climbing and down climbing with little exposure.
A4
- Prolonged immersion in calm, cold water - Swims longer than 30m.
Commitment:
- (III) Able to get out of a flood in less than 30 minutes. Escape takes up to 1 hour. Total time (approach, descent return) is between 4 and 8 hours.
Approach[edit]
Drive the 4wd track to the hugh gorge campsite. From there, walk north past the hikers campsite to Hugh Junction, turning east, and then climb up the second major spur north, threading you way past the bluffs to gain the high ridge. Follow the ridge west, than north, dropping off it into the eastern branch of Hugh creek. Avoid following it all the way to the junction - as this bluffs out.
Descent[edit]
There is one large abseil (30m, off a tree on the TR) with sharp rocks on the way down. There is a tiny ledge at the bottom allowing easier rope retrieval. Several downclimbs and a couple of optional jumps. No pothole escapes or creative anchors required.
Exit[edit]
Follow the bushwalking track all the way back to the car.
Red tape[edit]
Overnight camping outside of marked campsites requires a permit.