The Author in the first part of
Hole in the Wall Canyon
New South Wales in Australia
Update to Routes
The entrance to Surefire Canyon
Newnes Forest Canyons
Surefire
This is a great canyon of the sandstone kind, but it is not where the guide book says it is. My sincere thanks go to Rick Jamieson for his excellent Second edition (now the Third edition) of the canyoning guide. W'ed all be lost without it.
My explanation for that error is that the confluence of the tracks mentioned as the start of this trip must have been different tracks when the photography for the maps was done. The intersection described exists, but is about 0.5 Km away from that shown on the map. (South East). Mr 46.2:18.4, putting you on the previous ridge for the walk in. This makes more sense with the perceived length of the exit canyon which then matches the one at Mr. 47.4:20.2 I make the start of the canyon at Mr 47.3:19.2 the exit canyon at 47.4:20.2 and the walkout track joins the road at Mr 45.6:20.3
Rodger in Surefire
Hole in the wall
A very popular canyon. Please carry a pee bottle, as the place starts to smell at the end of summer due to the traffic. The fires at the end of 1997 have had their effect on this canyon, and it is closed for regrowth. The directions in the guide book are no longer correct, as the fire trail was extended along the walking track, as it happens, down the hill and over the saddle and up to the top of the next hill. ( following the old walk in track) The take off point is noticeable here if you know what to look for, (Mr 50.8:02.7 Woollangambe map), but the fire trail goes on past this point and along the ridge to the East, for some kilometers,and this could easily lead to navigational errors, if the old directions are followed. If you follow the track to it's end as in the old description you may end up in a different place, and the exit will no longer be where you expect it. A 20 meter rope is all you will need to do the canyon as the longest abseil is spot on 10 meters.
The duckunder to enter the hole section
The exit hole from the canyon into Dingo Creek (Rock hill map).
Email abseil@netspeed.com.au