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Good winter climbing areas in the Grampians |
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28-Jun-2015 10:59:59 AM
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Hi all, I'm heading down to Arapiles/Grampians next week and was wondering if there were some good 'warmer' cliffs that I should visit? Looking at grades up to around 20. And yes I know the weather will be terrible but we wanted to check out the Grampians while down there. Thanks.
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28-Jun-2015 11:37:58 AM
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It's a bit difficult at the moment because a lot of the best winter crags are closed to public access or the access roads are closed.
Having said that, I'd suggest Black Ians Rocks and the crags in the northern Victoria Range. Emu Rock and Hollywood Bowl in particular have fantastic sunny routes in the 15-18 range. However, they are high on the range and exposed to wind so you might freeze on a windy day.
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28-Jun-2015 12:19:25 PM
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Thanks James. I assume Mt Stapylton and Rosea are open?
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28-Jun-2015 12:37:39 PM
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Yes, Rosea is open. Although can be very cold as it gets in the shade early and is also up high. Beware the wind at Rosea.
The Amphitheatre (Grey/green walls, Taipan etc) are open. That is, the cliffs which are accessed by going up over Flat Rock from the Mt Zero carpark.
Summerday Valley is still closed to the public. Sandinista Cliff and Amnesty and surrounds still closed. Pity as these all catch winter sun at various times of the day.
As James suggested, Black Ians is an excellent winter crag. Has many new sport routes now too ...... but mostly above grade 20. Single pitch routes are good in winter too.
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28-Jun-2015 1:18:09 PM
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Great thanks Michael, I don't mind higher grade sport routes up to about 22/23. I just wouldn't want to do any mixed trad routes that grade.
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28-Jun-2015 1:46:45 PM
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Rosea is great when the weather is good, but goes into the shade in early afternoon. I was up there last Sunday - magic climbing in about six degrees then freezing.
Stapylton amphitheater is pretty shady until lunch time.
With short winter days, there's just not a lot of sunny hours in a day on these cliffs.
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28-Jun-2015 10:03:24 PM
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Asses Ears is great in winter. Sun most of the day.
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29-Jun-2015 7:11:45 AM
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Weirs Creek, Clean Cut and Lost World are great at the time of year in the northern vid range, as they are north facing.
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16-Jul-2015 9:54:13 PM
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Thanks for the advice, we ended up spending a wet and miserable day looking around the Grampians. Arapiles was great though, if a little chilly!
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