Geronimo Canyon is a good canyon tributary of the Wollangambe River. It has a relatively sustained constriction, punctuated by a number of abseils. Its name comes from the third abseil which was jumped by Glen Robinson ("Geronimo!").
Entry
Park at the fire station at Mt Wilson, and follow the main tourist track towards the Wollangambe. At about 2km a track branches left below a large (10m) sandstone outcrop, which you should follow. This contours around a gully eventually dropping in to a small steep saddle. Head left off the saddle to reach the Wollangambe at MGA543915 (Wollangambe). Cross the river, walk up to the cliff and traverse around to the left until you can easily walk up. At the top of the ridge, you should be on a track that start west and curves around to the north following the ridge. Just after a high point the track begins to fade - drop off the west side and scramble down to meet the creek at the junction at MGA539922. The canyon starts soon after.
Notes
The first abseil is a slightly awkward 7m from a tree - watch your head as the gap is narrow. Immediately this is followed by a 7m abseil from a large log - needs a long sling to avoid a crack.
It is a short walk to the next abseil, of 7m, or perhaps a little more depending on how far back the anchor is. This has a tricky start. Try to keep the rope out of the crack for the pulldown. The abseil can also be jumped ("Geronimo!") if you have checked the water depth. Note that the water is usually not much more than person depth, and sometimes shallower, so be very careful
It is a bit of a walk to the final abseil. This is about 14m from a tree on a ledge on the left. It can be tricky to access this, though a handline may be in place. Alternatively this could be done in two 7m abseils, the first from where the scramble starts.
Exit
It is a short walk from here back to the Wollangambe and then head downstream. You will soon get back to the point where you crossed the Wollangambe, and you can exit from here.
Comments
- Difficulty: M
- Abseils: 4-5
- Longest abseil: 15m
- Quality: 6/10
- Time: 6-8 hours
- Distance: 9km
- Ascent: 460m
- Wetsuits: Recommended
- Maps: 8930-1N Mount Wilson, 8931-2S Wollangambe
Geronimo is a nice canyon, relatively sustained but without being particularly deep or dark. It could be done in less than half a day by an experienced party, so a bit of a wander up the Wollangambe is worthwhile. There are a few cold swims, although none particularly long. Wetsuits are advisable for most parties.