Claustral Canyon - track notes

30/11/2008 - photos

11/03/2005 - report - photos

04/12/2004 - report - photos

15/03/2002 -

Claustral Canyon is one of the most impressive canyons around. Three abseils through the dark Black Hole of Calcutta are followed by 700m of high quality canyon.

It was discovered by SUBW parties in the early 1960s but the waterfalls were first descended by a Kameruka Bushwalking Club party in 1963, after placing a bolt on the blocked up keyhole.

Driving along Bells Line of Road, about 800m past the Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, turn left at a picnic area. Follow this to the end and park next to the microwave tower. The track leaves from a stile over the fence at the end. Head along the track for about 800m to a fork. Take the right branch down the hill, and then left onto a foot track at the National Park sign. Head down the hill, turning right at a very small saddle (before the main Camels Saddle). The track goes steeply downhill until you reach the creek.

A track can be followed alongside the creek for some way. There are a couple of canyon-like sections in here. You can put wetsuits on when you start getting your feet wet, or wait until the first swim.

A short swim or deep wade starts the excitement. There is a climb down or jump in (only if the water is very high) of about 4m with a swim. Not long after is another short (2m) jump in, and another swim.

Then you reach the abseils. A short scramble leads down to the first of these, 10m, through a hole. There is a convenient ledge to unclip on - a 17m rope reaches this. After a swim across the pool, the second abseil follows, also 10m, from a ring bolt up high on the right. The first two abseils can be combined with a 50m rope, but the pulldown may be difficult. The third (about 15m) also goes through a hole (the Keyhole, unless the hole is blocked, in which case you have to swim across the pool and go over the top). All of the abseils have ledges that you can detach the rope from before getting wet. A short swim follows, and then a wade, through a deep dark section, to the junction with Ranon Brook.

700m of high quality canyon brings you to the Thunder Gorge junction. If you have time it is worth visiting Thunder Canyon from the bottom.

The creek opens out for about 500m before narrowing again. There are some tricky climb downs in the next section. There are also two longer climb downs of about 5m each, which usually have fixed ropes in place. The first climb down you would be better off abseiling. The second is easier, but is dangerous in high water, and should be abseiled on the right hand side in those conditions. In between the climb downs is the Tunnel Swim, which can sometimes be a wade, but is usually a long cold swim up to 50m through a dark tunnel.

About 50m past the second climb down, Rainbow Ravine is a reasonably obvious sloping waterfall that comes in on your left, as the creek bends right. A further 50m past this there is a final 20m swim to the exit gully. Many parties miss this exit and end up being benighted in the canyon, so be careful.

Scramble up the exit gully for about 20m and then traverse left under the cliff to Rainbow Ravine. Head up Rainbow Ravine. There are a few tricky scrambles, and some wades (for those who carry dry socks or shoes).

Where the gully splits higher up, head to the left. At the top there are two more tricky scrambles, the first up a log. The second can be made easy by stepping to the right and using the side of a good handhold for the left hand. It is possible to avoid the top scrambles by traversing around to the next gully to the right.

From there follow the obvious track up to the Camels Hump, down to the saddle and up the other side and then along to the car park.

An excellent canyon, or series of canyon sections. The part between Ranon Brook and Thunder is absolutely superb, similar to Rocky Creek. There is a significant amount of scrambling in the canyon, and out the exit, which should not be underestimated. Keep this in mind if you are taking beginners.

If you have a large group it is wise to bring three ropes of appropriate lengths and send an experienced abseiler down to rig them all. Otherwise it can be quite cold waiting between abseils.