Flinders Ranges

Last weekend we finally made it up to the Flinders Ranges to check out the spectacular scenery, camping and rock climbing.

The Flinders Ranges (http://www.flindersoutback.com/) is a 4 1/2 hour drive north of Adelaide. Although not very far into northern SA, with the red dirt and barren landscape, the Ranges district gives the impression of being well into the Australian Outback.

Flinders Ranges National Park
(http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/flinders_ranges/index.htm)


The Flinders Ranges National Park where we camped has all sorts of great hikes and beautiful scenery, as well as tons of kangaroos and emus.

Waking up to the shadows of grazing kangaroos on the tent - cool

Going in the wintertime means that there are a lot fewer people around, and the hillsides are not yet parched by 40 degree temperatures.

Although it was a little cold at night (and frosty in the morning), since the fire bans are not in place in winter we were able to roast marshmallows by the fire and enjoy some awesome gourmet camping meals, and of course a good bottle of fire-warmed SA red...
The chef above...

















Climbing at Moonarie
http://www.climbing.com.au/crags/guide.php?page=moonarie


Moonarie is one of South Australia's premiere remote climbing areas. It is located on the outside walls of the southern end of the Wilpena Pound. Since Craig and I had bought the climbing guide earlier this year, we were keen to check out some of the rock.


Although the approach was beautiful, we hadn't quite counted on it being quite so long - at least 1 hour up to the bottom of the climbing sites, and not particularly well marked (aka, we got a little lost so some bushwhacking was required!).

















Goat Crag
Not a bad spot, and with a bit of a scramble, possible to set up as a top rope. Grade: 16 + 17 (Aussie grading).













We got Luci up her first outdoor climb!













The view from our climbing spot was awesome, which made up for the fact that it was mighty chilly out of the sun.



Sunset over the Flinders Ranges



At the end of the day, we enjoyed a well-deserved beer while watching the sunset over the Wilpena Pound and the rest of the Ranges.











Hiking Wilpena Pound

The Wilpena Pound is one of the Flinders Ranges most characteristic features - a crater-like valley of sandstone (quartzite) formed by fault movements (Dad - feel free to send me more correct text here... Though that explanation beats the meteorite and giant dinosaur print theories we had going on the way up the mountain!).


Either way, it made for an absolutely gorgeous hike!









And some amazing views to see while enjoying lunch at the top.

The Wilpena Pound, and the Flinders Ranges in the background

Climbing in Adelaide

(http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/morialta/rock/index.htm)

In the Adelaide region there are a couple of decent climbing areas such as Morialta Park, and Onkaparinga Gorge.

We head out there from time to time, especially since it takes longer to get to the gym than to go outdoors!

Check out some of the pictures.




We'll likely add pictures from various trips, so keep checking back if you are interested in checking out the local climbing scene.


April 2007
Afternoon trip to Far Crag with Ron, Melissa, Cathy and Alex.

Ron discovers that outdoor climbing is actually a lot harder than it looks!


Whereas Alex just enjoys doing fancy moves for the camera...

Cathy doesn't like it but I think this SuperCathy shot is fun
(if I get in trouble it might have to come off the blog)


I don't actually think Ron believed our 'from the ground' guidance that there was a foothold somewhere around there!















But I suppose from the bottom it often looks much easier...







November 2006


These shots are from a previous trip, also at Far Crag, but a bit farther down the wall.
















Melissa and Andrew come out often to help us enjoy a day out in the park.













And Craig is just always happy to get onto the wall! He quite happily ( I think) sets up then runs up and down all the various alternative routes he can manage to create from one spot.

Arapiles April 2007

Mount Arapilies, Victoria, Australia

A very large, strange chunk of rock smack bang in the middle of a flat, flat landscape. Do you need any other reason for deep contemplation???

Pam contemplating geological origins...

We went camping to Mt. Arapiles last weekend to enjoy the outdoors and the last of the warm(ish) weather before winter begins in this part of the world.

Mt Arapiles is a 4 1/2 hour drive from Adelaide (see http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=148), and aside from being geologically interesting (maybe?? Dad??), it's a great spot for climbing - in fact it's a bit of a climbing mecca for Aussie climbers in the area. (check out http://www.chockstone.org/Arapiles/Arapiles.htm)

Craig and I did a bit of climbing then Matt and Pam (Craig's cousin and his girlfriend) joined us for some great hiking and yummy camping-eats.

Check out some of the pictures...

Relaxing at the top!

But it was a little bit of work to get there...


Luckily it wasn't all work; definitely had time to enjoy the view, pose pretty for the cameras, and explore a bit at the top.

Craig rock-surfing...

Sadly, not a lot of waves to catch around there.


And finally a well-deserved lunch at the end!

Our campsite

And seen from the top

Our campsite is called 'The Pines', which should help in picking it out in the picture...

The main wall of Mount Arapiles