Yileen
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| | Difficulty:4B II (v4a2 II) Raps:3-6, max ↨164ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 30 min Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Schist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 26 Oct 2024
"A very fast run through. New bolted anchors on a lot of the drops now replacing some dead trees (including the dry line abseil at the end where the tr |
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| Best season: | Dec - Mar
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| Regions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
-33.5666, 150.3288
-33.5475, 150.3372
-33.5704, 150.3388
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Introduction[edit]
Yileen Canyon is a short section of Yileen Gully, as it is marked on maps, just south of the Bells Line of Road at the Mount Wilson turn-off. It ends with a spectacular 50m abseil down a waterfall into the Grose Valley. The grid reference on the Mount Wilson map (8930-1N Third Edition) is 521824.
Approach[edit]
It is best done with two cars. Leave one at the bottom car park at Pierces Pass Picnic Area and drive a second car to the start at the Mount Wilson turn-off. A fire trail along the ridge to the south of the Mount Wilson car park then a walking track take you into the canyon which has some creek walking with several canyon sections in it. It eventually ends with two abseils, the last of which is 50m down a waterfall. To get back to Pierces Pass, simply follow the worn path beside the cliff line to Pierces Creek, then climb up the other side to where it joins the Hungerfords Track.
Map: Mount Wilson 8930-1N recommended for the canyon plus routes in and out.
Equipment[edit]
2 x 50m ropes (recommended to complete the final abseil in a single descent). Otherwise, 2 x 40m ropes are sufficient (reaching the first ledge of the final abseil, where you can then rig a short abseil or hand-line).
Driving there: Drive along Bells Line of Road to Pierces Pass Picnic Area, about 2km southeast of the Mount Wilson turn-off and 1.5km west of the Mount Banks turn-off. If possible, drive a car down to the bottom car park; otherwise, leave it at the top car park. Drive a second car park along Bells Line of Road to the Mount Wilson turn-off and park at the junction.
Walking In[edit]
From the Mount Wilson turn-off, follow Bells Line of Road southeast for a few hundred meters up a small rise on the right side of the road where you will find a fire trail (Mount Wilson 8930-1N GR527848). The fire trail turns right and heads out along the ridge for several hundred meters before a single walking track forks off. Follow this track maintaining a south/southwest direction down along a ridge until the ridge starts to get steeper. At this point the track will drop down the right hand side. The track can be difficult to follow at times, however bear in mind that the ridge descends to a Y-junction of tributaries and either one can be followed a short way to the first section of canyon.
Descent[edit]
| Problem No. | Type | Metres | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1a | Down climb | 2m | River centre | |
| 1b | Abseil | 5m | River left | Accessed by scrambling up on river left next to down climb |
| 2 | Slide or Down climb | 2m | River centre | |
| Creek walking | ||||
| 3 | Abseil (Optional jump) | 5m | River left | Anchor on river left. Can be jumped. First person should check depth and direct team members on landing zone. People have broken themselves in this pool before. |
| 4 | Jump/down climb | 2m | River centre | Straight after pool at bottom of P4. Requires a small careful jump / drop from sitting position. Pool is shallow and can have rocks. |
| 5 | Abseil | 10m | River right | Near chockstone. Abseil down the crack. |
| 6a | Abseil | 50m | River centre | Wet line. Big sling-based anchor around boulder. Can be broken up into a 40m (P6b or P6c) + 10m (P7) |
| 6b | Abseil | 40m | River centre | Abseil from River Centre or River Right anchor down to top of large boulder/ledge with small tree on it. |
| 6c | Abseil | 40m | River right | Anchor on wall. Abseil down to large boulder/ledge with small tree on it OR if you have enough rope, continue past (will require approx 50m rope). |
| 7 | Abseil (optional) | 10m | River right | Bolted anchor on top of large boulder/ledge with small tree on it. Drop is only done when breaking up the big 50m pitch. Can be bypassed if you have a long enough rope. |
| Most groups stop here. Exit river left. | ||||
| 8 | Abseil (optional) | 25m | River centre | Sling on tree. This drop is rarely done. Most groups finish after the big 50m abseil pitch. Exit is on the river left and is a scramble back up to the common exit at the bottom the big abseil (Problem 6) |
Exit[edit]
From the bottom of the big 50m abseil (P6), simply follow the worn path east beside the cliff line, back towards Pierces Creek. Cross the gully there and head up the other side to Hungerfords Track. Once on the track, turn left and head up to the car park.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
https://ozultimate.com/canyoning/track_notes/yileen.htm