Bungonia Update
Son and Father in Spring Creek.
Bungonia
Spring Creek Spring Creek was closed early in 1998, due to a major (I'm told) rock fall which almost wiped out an abseiler on the second to last pitch.
We wait for news of it's re-opening.
The roads to the top of the Trestle track and to Dog Den hill have been closed to vehicular traffic at their junction, (courtesy of the parks), Mr 27.2:41.3Caoura map, and that is now the car park for Spring Creek, Long Gully, and Fordam canyons. This lengthens the time required to do these canyons considerably and trip organisers need to take account of this.
The way into Spring Creek has now evolved into a notable track. The way
to get there is to follow the road to Dog Den hill (Mr. 27.0:39.5 ) and go along its ridge
in an easterly direction. Near the end of this ridge the track veers South and descends
Dog Den hill onto a saddle (Mr. 27.2:38.8 ) and then veers East again. (If you miss this
dog leg (no pun intended) you will descend into Long Gully). The next trap is a ridge to
the South which always looks inviting, and consequently has a track on it. It will take
you to a point above Spring Creek, and descending there will drop you just above the small
waterfall quite a long way from the start of the canyon. (Mr. 27.4:38.6 )
Due to the convoluted nature of the creek, and the difficult going down to it, and around
the waterfall, it will add a couple of hours to your trip.
The track then continues reasonably plainly along the ridge line to Mt
Fordam (Mr. 28.2:39.4 ) and then downward to a small knoll. There is a goat track which
runs to the left of the knoll, and if followed will take you to the wrong place. If you
decide that you would rather do Long Gully at this point it is possible to descend to the
left (North) about 100 meters before the knoll, and doing so will drop you in to Long
Gully just before the first 20 meter abseil.
So back to the Knoll.... The track goes to the right of the top of the knoll, and then
descends more and more to the right (South), ending down a sharp rocky ridge to Spring
Creek. (Mr. 29.0:39.3 ) The Tog Up spot is at the first deep pool about 150 meters
downstream, and the commitment point is another 100 or so further on.
The longest way to get here is to follow the road past Dog Den hill until it intersects the top of Spring Creek (the second creek you encounter) and then walk down the whole creek, passing the old gold miners dam. (add about 3 hours).
Marie descending in Spring Creek
Last Abseil.
Long Gully
Current status is open, but not recomended by the National Parks due to loose rock
Follow the same route from the car park as for Spring Creek above. The
road crosses Long Gully at Mr. (27.4:40.3) and you can elect to walk down the creek from
here. This is not a bad way to go, (arguably the shortest way), and you should notice some
tunnels dug into the sides of the creek by the old miners. Alternately follow the road to
Dog Den hill and drop off the gully to the left just before Dog Den hill. Otherwise follow
the track to mount Fordam and drop off to the left before the Knoll as described above in
Spring Creek. (Some people maintain that this is the fastest route)
Fordam Canyon
John Griffin on Fordam.
This is a great canyon to do, but it's not in the guide book, probably because it doesn't fit the 50 meter ropes criterion, and because it's not for the inexperienced.
A few of the abseils are of the order of 60 to 65 meters, and the main face is about 120 meters with 3 stops along the way, on sometimes precarious, or tiny ledges. Hard hats are definitely required and you will feel naked without one. (Adverse weather can cause rock falls, so do not attempt it if it's raining.)
Tapes and rock bolts may not be there when you arrive due to rock falls so you must carry plenty of material with you. (tapes and a selection of pitons) At least one of your ropes has to be longer than 50 meters, ( I travel with a 100 meter 9 mm , and a 50 meter 6 ml pull down. See the description of my washer technique in the canyoning article). There is no water to drink, and an ample supply must be carried as the canyon faces west and it can get quite hot in the summer. Nevertheless in spite of the difficulties it is a very worthwhile canyon to do.
The second abseil has a tendency to not pull down and the inclusion af a shackle bolt on the tape will help to relieve the friction.
To get there, park the car at the car park and take the road east to the Trestle track. Descend about 100 meters and then cut down the right hand ridge (exit from Spring Creek and Long Gully) all the way down to the river. Cross the river below the rapid at the exit of Fordam canyon. The best ridge to climb up is the southern one as it is the shortest route to the start of the canyon, but going up the northern side gives you a great view of the inside if the canyon. The top of the hill gives a great view of Spring Creek and Long Gully opposite. After you descend the canyon, the return trip is back the way you came down from the car park.
It's a long day!
Return path from the above Canyons
There are 3 ways ...
1) The most direct route is up the first main ridge at ( Mr 29.0:40.3 ). This ridge climbs more than the others, but is far more direct, and will be quickest to the car park. When you reach the first summit look for an old burnt fence line, and follow it to the road. It intersects the road at ( Mr 27.5:40.7 ). The car park is not far to the right.
2) Go up the sharp ridge that leads to the Tressle track car park at ( Mr 29.1:40.6 ) This ridge is steep and stony for the first 300 metres, and then it becomes much easier, before it's junction to the main track.
3) Walk down stream all the way to the old Tressle track, about 200 metres past the Chimneys (Mr 29.4:41.4) The track is quite steep and rocky. (I brought a 16' canoe down here once!)