Seen any access issues in the Bluies you would like resolved? Contact – ACA.Bluemountains@climb.org.au

The Blue Mountains is New South Wales’ most famous and popular climbing area – but it is also a complex access beast with several land managers including – NSW National Parks, Blue Mountains City Council, Lithgow Council, private property, State Rail, Aboriginal groups and various other State Forests and National Parks (Newnes, Evans Crown, Wolgan etc).

There are several on-going access issues in the Blue Mountains. Don’t let your actions stuff it up for everyone else! When climbing in our wonderful Bluies, please adhere to the following to ensure you’re not having a negative impact on our access.

No Dogs

• Dogs are prohibited in all National Parks. This includes Bell, Bowens and Pierces Pass crags.
• Crags with access through private property also prohibit dogs – this includes Logan Brae & Zap Crag.
• Visit Blue Mountains City Council crags if you want to take your dog (Shipley, Boronia etc)

Car Parking

• A full carpark means a full crag – go somewhere else if you are struggling to find a carpark.
• Be courteous to the local residents and think about where you are parking.
• Car-pool – even if it is from nearby towns.
• Bell – the dirt road to the old carpark is now very eroded and only suitable for high clearance 4WDs. Instead, park opposite the turnoff for this road on a cleared area on Bells Line Rd. Don’t park in front of the gates. If this area is full then park along the sides of Bells Line Rd but make sure to be well off the road – big trucks need space.
• Logan Brae – Limited car parking – don’t park on sides of narrow road. Continued access to this area hinges on our compliance and landowner has threatened closure in 2021.
• Medlow Bath – Park at Train Line end of road not at the trail head.
• Shipley, Celebrity – Do not park in-front of driveways or anywhere that may annoy residents. If you have a large campervan do NOT park along the edges of Shipley Road. All vehicles must be fully off the road – but please don’t trash roadside vegetation in your quest for a shorter walk.

Camping

• Mt York & Megalong Valley campgrounds are open. Use the metal fire-pits only and bring your own firewood – don’t collect from the bush.
• Big Top informal camping area is permanently closed and signposted as such.
• Perry’s Lookdown campground is permanently closed.
• Don’t vanlife at crag carparks or suburban streets.

Fires

• It may be cold but it is illegal to light fires outside of approved fireplaces. Do not light fires at crags.
• Cigarette smoking is banned in all NSW National Parks.

Closed Crags

• The entire of the Wolgan Valley climbing is closed due to a major landslide that wiped out the road. It will not be reopening until middle of 2023 at earliest.
• Pulpit Rock (Bellbird Wall) remains closed due to bushfire damage.
• Narrow Neck road access is closed due to landslide. Walking approach only.
• Dargan Arch (Centennial Trev) is closed to all climbing.
• Dam Cliff is signposted as closed due to presence of asbestos on the approach.

Toileting

• Toilet paper still plagues our most popular crags. Use best practices for toileting at the crag.
• Burying waste is not sustainable at busy crags, use toilet facilities away from the climbing area.
• In less busy areas, ensure all waste is buried and if possible, carry out your toilet paper.

Rescues

• Reduce the likelihood of needing emergency assistance by thoroughly planning and preparing your day.
• Research approach, route, descent and retreat information before departing.
• Bunny Bucket Buttress is not the place to learn how to abseil or prussik.
• In winter daylight hours are short and nights are cold. Start climbing early but still be prepared for climbing/walking in the dark and cold. In summer full sun on a multi can lead to heatstroke. Time your climb!
• Have a self-rescue plan and tell someone else where you are going and when you will return.

Remember access is no accident. Take ownership, if you see someone else doing the wrong thing, speak up. We must all work together to ensure access remains in place. Lastly, make sure you check the latest Onsight Blue Mountains climbing print guide, www.onsight.com.au/bluemtns and thecrag.com for up-to-date information. Rock climbing in the Blue Mountains Facebook group is a good place to ask questions.

Rebolting

Report bad bolts to SRC Rebolting by email – rebolting.sydneyrockies@gmail.com

Rare Plants – Save Our Species Videos

The Blue Mountains is home to many rare plants that share the same vertical terrain that climbers enjoy. These native species are at risk – including species known as the Cliffhanging Five. Some are survivors from the time of the Gondwana supercontinent, before flowering plants even existed and when dinosaurs walked the earth over 200 million years ago. The Save Our Species Program from the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage is in place to protect these species by educating those who frequent the Blue Mountains on how to do their part in the conservation of the native flora .