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Crookneck closed by QPWS! Further to the news in qurank #4, Karl Palsson, webmaster of the Crookneck Action Group Website has submitted the following article explaining more about the Crookneck closure and how you can get involved.
One of the report's conclusions was, "In general, it is considered
that there is a High to Very High Risk of rock falls from the cliffs around Mount Coonowrin with a
corresponding risk to personnel or members
of the public accessing this area. It is recommended that the trail accessing the base of the cliffs be closed to the public and that the
area be closed to rock climbing." |
Clearly the government is taking the easy way out. And easy for them means reduced access for us, and paves the way for them to continue closing parks in the future, despite assurances from the minister for the environment that they have no plans to do so at present. The government needs to legislate to provide an adequate
solution. They need to protect themselves from wasteful litigation. Yes, they do need to provide protection for the general
public, but closing National Parks does not protect anyone. If anything it makes matters worse, by forcing park users to overcrowd other parks,
beyond the normal safety level of that park. The government's duty of care should extend to warning the public of the risks associated with --Karl Palsson Jan 30 2000 |
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Slide Show Success
On the night of the 2nd of February, around 30 local climbers attended Douglas Hockly's North Queensland climbing slideshow held at K2. The show was well-received and further publicised Doug's "A Climber's Guide To Townsville and Magnetic Island" which retails for $16.95 and is obtainable from K2 or directly from Doug by emailing dugfish@shoutmail.com. --LS |
North Queensland Bouldering
- Online!
Dedicated to the unroped arts around Townsville and Cairns, North Queensland Bouldering aims to provide climbers possessing such inclinations a hub at which to find guides, galleries, articles, and links about all things short and desperate. The site (run by Jason Shaw and Steve Baskerville - well known bouldering fiends) is still very much in its embryonic stages, but is constantly evolving, so will be worth checking out regularly. Find N.Q.B at http://members.dingoblue.net.au/~wakko100/ --LS |
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The Original Queensland
Climbing Reference - all new!
Online since May 2 1997 and growing in size almost every week since then is The Original Queensland Climbing Reference (TOQCR). Semi-finalist in the sports category of the 1998 Australian Internet Awards, TOQCR has consistently been Australia's most popular non-commercial climbing site (150-250 hits per week). I attribute this to the regularity at which the site was updated - during 97 and 98, usually a couple of times a week, if not every day! Over the years, the site grew so large, that it spanned three 12 megabyte Geocities accounts, and grew so massive and hard to organise, that I realised that a change was needed. Couple that with the annoying Geoshities advertising on every page, and the need to move became quite pressing. The good guys at Immortal offered to host the site, so I thought I'd give it a bit of a quick facelift before moving... Five months later the site was ready after a 'quick facelift' turned into a complete redesign. Anyway, I hope you like the new site. Make sure you update your bookmarks and email me with your feedback. Check it out at: |
(continued from left) The old, familiar site hosted by Geocities at http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/9586/
The all-new site, hosted ad-free by Immortal at http://www.immortal.net.au/climbing/
--LS |
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Clean Up KP - Sunday March 5 The Brisbane Rockclimbing Club will again be undertaking a clean up of the Kangaroo Point cliffs on Clean Up Australia Day, Sunday, March 5. Please try to come along, even if you can only come for a short while. This event gives us the chance to get some good publicity for climbers, and is also our way of giving something back to the environment. We will be meeting at the top of the cliffs (main section above the lower car-park) at 7.30 am. A free BBQ will be provided for all volunteers when we finish work around 11 am. Volunteers should bring gloves and, if possible, a broom, rake or dustpan and brush. If you want to work on the edge of the cliffs, clearing loose rocks and debris, please bring your harness, a long sling and locking carabiner. We will also need buckets and wheelbarrows, so please let us know if you can help with these. Finally, don't forget to look after your own well-being - bring water and wear sunscreen and a hat. If you can help, or would like more information, please ring the Club President Lorna Hepburn on 3349 1771 or email on climber@technet2000.com.au --Extract from BRC February 2000 newsletter at http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/6530 |
Local Climbers Expand Their Horizons When do you know you need a new challenge? During January, Gareth Llewellin leads then downclimbs his route Howler (25) [picture in #4 gallery]. Then leads it weighed down with every quickdraw from three racks and a pair of shoes hanging off his harness. Then leads it in bare feet. Local climbers Gareth and Scott Lawrence are leaving Brisbane on March 1 for a one month 'down South' tour before heading to the States for a climbing trip of mammoth proportions. Good luck guys. Neil Monteith [profiled in #4] barely had time to catch his breath in Brisbane before grabbing the just-finished-school hardguy Aaron Jones and whisking him off down south for an eye-opener. Neil in his typical prose writes "Kaputar - two days, two routes, too scared, big storm. Blue Mtns - tick 25, Grape Hour at Boronia Point (hard!!!). Watch lots of people cranking 30's - feel sad - do some other 24's and such - do two awesome canyons - recover fingers - get strong!" In addition, well known Rocksports gym aficionado Chris Sharman is heading off to Melbourne where he'll get to sample the delights that the Gramps and Araps have on offer. Good luck to all our local guys - keep cranking! --LS |
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Gladiator Crater
As an addendum to Mark Synnot's comments in your gossip section
(Froggy Fall - qurank
#3), I have also watched another unknown climber take a 4m ground fall on
Gladiator [a grade 18 crack route at Frog Buttress]. He pulled two cams. This lucky fellow just stood up, brushed
himself down, and walked away. I guess some of the rock shards low down on
this route are moving, allowing cams to pop out. I just thought I'd mention
it because if people keep cratering on this route, sooner or later someone
is going to land on their head and die. |
KP Hardies Young local climbers Glen Foley and Aiden Deem made a very rare repeat of the little-known route Ground Point Zero (25) at Kangaroo Point recently. The route climbs Squawk to the halfway ledge, then ascends the "impossible" blank wall past a bolt. Aiden's motivation to attempt the route was the fact that it was established in 1988 by his uncle, Richard Henderson. --LS |
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