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Crag & Route Beta

Area	Location	Sub Location	Crag	Links
VIC Melbourne	(General)	(General)	(General)	[ Melbourne Guide ]

Author

Ben Cairn update needed


Miguel75

31-Jan-2011
5:40:24 PM

Anyone been up to Ben Cairn recently? How's the moss situation? I'm planning to head up early tomorrow morning if anyone's keen to head out.


shortman

31-Jan-2011
5:57:25 PM

heaps of moss a couple of months ago....the vcc ran a trip up there a few weeks ago but couldnt climb because it was too wet....i wasnt there but a guy i spoke too said it was still super mossy.,


Miguel75

31-Jan-2011
6:32:52 PM

That's not what I wanted to hear! I was hoping for no moss and dry rock.


ajfclark

31-Jan-2011
7:00:45 PM

Given the amount of moss last time I was out there, I wouldn't be surprised if there was loads of moss still. Everythign left of mantle thing (pie in the sky?) was pretty moss free last I heard... I'll ask Cam tomorrow. I think he was out there earlier in the month.


Miguel75

31-Jan-2011
7:39:12 PM

Thanks Andrew. Does anyone know if you can set up a TR off the fence for Skating Away and other climbs down that end?

rolsen1

31-Jan-2011
7:56:51 PM

On 31/01/2011 Miguel75 wrote:
>Thanks Andrew. Does anyone know if you can set up a TR off the fence for
>Skating Away and other climbs down that end?

You can easily set up a top rope off the fence for skating away - I'm not sure if the fence goes down to pancake flake, probably although it is probably a long way back -- if not you could rap down and set it off the pancake flake tree and just to the start of it and digit dancer. I doubt it reaches the 18 that is right again - whatever that is called, incidentally that is the only climb I've had problems with undersized carrots

The 19 below pie in the sky (if that is what it is called) is excellent as well, a bit mossy but well worth the climb and is top rope-able (is that a word) off trees.


Miguel75

31-Jan-2011
8:04:14 PM

Thanks Rolsen1. I'm pretty pumped to get back up there for my second ever visit. Last time I led Digit Dancer to the tree and piked out of the rest due to the death moss/slime covering everything...

I'm beginning to wonder if it's a worthwhile investment time-wise but figure I'm not often in the SE and may as well enjoy an explore.

I'll be heading out around 6am if anyone is keen. I'll be coming from Endeavour Hills and am happy to pick up on the way.

patto

1-Feb-2011
1:04:39 AM

I went there a month ago. About 2 or 3 climbs were climbable. If you wan to clean the moss then bring a shovel. Weird friction too. My feet didn't blow, they just slowly squirmed down. I was not impressed and it wasn't how I remembered it!

The best part of the trip was the White Rabbit brewery. :-)


Miguel75

1-Feb-2011
9:09:58 AM

My intentions were good but Vlad the Destroyer of sleep, aka my 10 month old son, got the better of me last night. After a sleepless one I decided to sleep in and head out later on in the week, weather dependant.

I'll take along a stiff brush and look to do a bit of gardening. Do I really need a shovel? I reckon a high pressure hose would make quick work of the moss but logistics may be a bit tough...


dr box

1-Feb-2011
12:10:45 PM

looks like there may be a few of us heading there tomorrow. we'll take a brush and see how it goes. its been ages since i last went. hoping that up there the temp will be 30 degrees colder...

patto

1-Feb-2011
1:39:26 PM

My experience cleaning moss is minimal and maybe my memory is inclined to exaggerate.

But seriously, I am not kidding, I would bring a shovel. It is very THICK. Take a camera too so you can posts pictures of the moss!


nmonteith

1-Feb-2011
2:04:11 PM

you are not exaggerating Patto.


Miguel75

1-Feb-2011
2:10:59 PM

Thanks Patto. I'll take a shovel along with some brushes. I may be able to do Thursday morning, early, if anyone else is keen. Bob Saki, Sat is a no go for me this week.

Anyone have any moss cleaning tricks they'd care to share? I'm thinking an older rope will be good, as it'll likely get dirty, and stiff nylon brushes. Would water be good to pour down afterwards to wash away remaining the dirt. I may be able to bring 40L though wonder if it'd be enough.


nmonteith

1-Feb-2011
2:14:29 PM

Gardening gloves. They protect your knuckles from the granite when scrubbing vigorously. Most granite doesn't have a 'dirt layer' under the moss so usually once its been scrubbed you won't need water afterwards.


Miguel75

1-Feb-2011
2:25:25 PM

Thanks Neil


nmonteith

1-Feb-2011
2:26:34 PM

p.s. most of the Ben Cairn moss is like astro-turf. You can just peel it off in big strips.


IdratherbeclimbingM9

1-Feb-2011
2:51:47 PM

Obviously the chalk using brigade don't climb there often, as it has a tendency to kill off moss/lichen.

dalai

1-Feb-2011
2:52:39 PM

On 1/02/2011 nmonteith wrote:
>Gardening gloves. They protect your knuckles from the granite when scrubbing
>vigorously. Most granite doesn't have a 'dirt layer' under the moss so
>usually once its been scrubbed you won't need water afterwards.

I found an old towel to whack the dust away helps thin any dust. Petrol leaf blower would be perfect one the moss has been removed?


nmonteith

1-Feb-2011
2:53:21 PM

It rains a lot so chalk doesn't last very long! It's also 'out of season' for 6 months of the year.


Miguel75

1-Feb-2011
3:21:02 PM

M9, Ben Cairn is a place to go chalkless, or 'Au Natural', though pants are encouraged.

There are 30 messages in this topic.