The Western Victorian Climbing Club (WVCC) and VCC are joining for a March long weekend base camp. WVCC will be hosting the trip with climbing at Mt Cole, Red Rock and Ben Nevis.
We will be camping at the Chinamans Campground at the western end of Mt Cole State Park from Friday evening 7 March to mid-afternoon on Monday 10 March 2025. Camping is free but you are advised to turn up early as it is a long weekend and the camping is first in-first served. There are toilets and a covered eating area, but no showers.
You will need to bring all the necessaries for outdoor camping if you are coming for the weekend.
If you haven't climbed in Mt Cole, the rock is granite. On the top of the mount along the main forest road, the climbing is on granite tors and craglets with a mix of trad, bolts and bouldering. At Red Rock and Ben Nevis, the climbing is on large slabs/faces that require three 50m abseils in to get to the bottom of the cliff. This is not a place for novices as you need to be able to pass a knot on abseil, as well as be able to climb a rope using prussiks.
See Chockstone for more information.
You will need a 50-60m rope as well as a full rack. The slabs are bolt protected but the bolts are 'carrots' and require hangers, and are well spaced (10m), so you need to be comfortable with long runouts. You will need helmet, harness and boots.
All intending participants must contact the VCC trip coordinator, Glen Donohue - glen.donohue@vicclimb.org.au, prior to the trip to confirm your intentions and experience. Bookings close on Wednesday, 5 March. Please email if you have any questions.
VCC members can book into the trip from this event and I will contact them. Only one member per booking please. Email me if you are not a member and want to attend the trip as a guest.
Beginner places will be available but limited.
GPO Box 1725, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
Existing membership holders, please log in to continue
Not already a member?