For those familiar with the place this may seem a little unlikely that there may be new route opportunities at Well Dam, with so many bolted climbs packed on a relatively small rock face. But I reckon I have found a few, and in the climbing community developing new areas and even routes can be a very secretive business for some. As if they are afraid that someone might sneak in and beat them to bagging the lines. So it may have been considered perfect this morning to arrive cloaked in fog, as if my activities today would remain undetected:
While I’m not too worried about people finding out, I can’t imagine anyone will be that interested. After all Welly Dam is not on many people’s list of favourite places to climb. Also mucking about to try new sport climbs can be a time consuming business, checking where the route goes, whether the line can be escaped, if it is worth the effort, and where to place the bolts. New trad climbs are easier, and if you have the gumption you just jump on the line and climb it. Hoping the climb will go and there is sufficient protection:
There are four lines I had in mind. One spotted by Steve, which Rongy and I have climbed before and knew was worthwhile, and one attempted by Aaron. Both are still waiting to be equipped, so today I threw a rope down Aaron’s to see what it was like. It was fun and had some great moves, but it was a little contrived with the best technical climbing being easy to avoid. I therefore need a second opinion before I decide if it is worth pursuing. Next I attempted what I thought would be the better of the two lines I had spotted, and from which as shown above I pulled off a holds as I tried it:
The loose rock didn’t worry me, as cleaning the line would be part of developing it. What put me off was that sections of the climb got a bit too close to the routes on the left and right so it was not independent enough. It seems that past climbers had also spotted this possible route, and had gone a step further by drilling a few holes for bolts. And like them I too will not pursue it any further. Looking at my last possible climb from the deck it seemed it might be too easy, but I was wrong and it was great. Better still it was completely independent, inescapable, and had no signs of prior interest:
So I’ll be back sometime with a willing assistant, to get a second opinion on Aaron’s find, and clean and decide on bolt placements for the two that I feel are worthy. From what I have described it may not sound like I did a lot of climbing. That was however never the intention, it was about knowing what was worthwhile and what wasn’t. That said it still took a fair chunk of time and the fog was well and truly gone, as I got ready to pack up. While sorting the gear a male and female Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens) started to work their way towards me. The above female was the brave one, while the stunning blue male kept his distance:
There were also other signs of life at the top of the crag, and I spotted a few orchids including the above two Sun Orchids getting ready to open up for the day. I didn’t pay too much attention, but checking them out on my return I feel like I should have. The orchid book indicates there are quite a few species round these parts, so I’m going to have to collect more detailed images and information next time. The sign of several orchids at the quarry gave me hope for the second part of my morning out, which was a stroll along the Collie River:
I was feeling hopeful, as I have found heaps of species on this walk in past years. Plus I saw loads of Acacia and Peas, see above, as I started the walk. Scouring the area as I strolled I spotted heaps of Cowslip Orchids, which may seem a bit unexciting. There are however a few sub-species, and this one is the Karri Cowslip Orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. sylvestris). Being later flowering and taller, with narrower petals and generally a paler yellow than the Cowslip Orchid (Caladenia flava). But there was not too much else to see:
I came across the odd Snail and Donkey Orchid but event they were few and far between. Certainty not the plethora of finds I was hoping for, so like the climbs I’ll just need to come back another time to check again. It was still a lovely walk, and again like the climbing my intention was a not to get heaps in. I wasn’t intending to complete the river walk or any of the loops, but when I saw the spur track that leads up the ridge closed off with a danger sign I simply had to have a look:
There were several fallen trees, all with evidence that others had managed to safely negotiate the new obstacles. So I carried on with the thought to make it to the look out, and with the higher and drier country hoping my luck would change. It didn’t, although like my walk up this path in early July I did spy some Midge Orchids in flower. My legs felt like they had worked enough when I made it to the lookout, so back down I went happy with having tried the potential new routes and also checking out the orchid situation on the river walk:
Sandbagged 