Canberra Climbers' Association

CCA photo competition!
2023-11-01 - 2023-11-24 | NSW
We are running a photo competition throughout November, with 1st prize being a double pass to the Climbing Film Tour 2023.
The film is a one-off screening on Thursday 30 November (details on https://canberra.dendy.com.au/climbing-film-tour-2023—one-off-screening/).
To qualify, photos must be –

climbing-related
outdoor ACT location
family friendly (nothing R-rated please!)
good quality & high resolution (1MB minimum)
landscape orientation is preferred

Please specify location in your submission. Submissions can be emailed to enquiries@canberraclimbing.org.au.
We will choose the top 10 photos for uploading to our website homepage banner at https://canberraclimbing.org.au/.
Entries close on Friday 24 November.

Introductory Climbing Day - White Rocks (Wickerslack Crag)
2023-11-05 | White Rocks, White Rocks, Karabar, NSW, 2620, Australia
This introductory climbing day, to be held at White Rocks (Wickerslack Crag) in Queanbeyan, is an opportunity for indoor climbers and new CCA members to experience some fun and easy top-roped climbs on limestone.

All CCA members of any experience are welcome. The focus for the day is to provide an informative atmosphere. For new CCA members, the day is an opportunity to learn basic climbing, rope and cliff skills at the best introductory crag in the region.
This event is for current CCA members only. You cannot join CCA on the day of the event (* see note about CCA membership below).
If you have your own gear (climbing rope, a few slings, carabiners and a belay device), just turn up on the day. If you are a new CCA member and have only a harness and helmet, please contact Phil Thomas at eveningstarsystems1@hotmail.com to register your intention to attend, as we may have to limit numbers because of gear limitations.
The day will be hosted by the CCA Vice President, Brian Mattick, and coordinated by CCA member, Phil Thomas. If you are interested in attending, please register with Phil at eveningstarsystems1@hotmail.com.
Meet at the car park in Wickerslack Lane, about 450m from the Old Cooma Rd intersection, at 10am.
Visit the Wickerslack Grag climbing guide
(* Note about CCA membership: you can only join CCA via our website, and it takes about a month to receive your member’s card after you submit the membership application form on-line and pay the membership fee)
White Rocks Climbing Day homework!
The homework is intended to familiarise new climbers with some adventure climbing practices that are not necessarily learned in gym climbing.
Download the White Rocks Climbing Day homework sheet (PDF 2MB)

CCA Climbing Gym Night
2023-11-08 19:30 - 21:30, 2023-11-22 19:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Sydney) | CIRC, 38-40 Essington Street, Mitchell, ACT, 2911, Australia
Come and hang out with us!!
The CCA hosts a twice-monthly gym night at the Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing (CIRC) North Rocks facility in Mitchell, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. No RSVP needed, just show up.
This is an opportunity for CCA members to climb with fellow members on a regular basis, learn or practise moves that you might use on outdoor climbs, and buddy up with potential outdoor climbing partners.
You can hire climbing shoes, a harness and chalk from the gym, or you can BYO. You will need to take a free-of-charge short belay course at the CIRC gym if you haven’t already done so.
As a CCA member, you can get a 10% discount on entry if you show your current membership card.
Coordinators for the gym nights are CCA Treasurer, Jack Pezzey, and CCA Secretary, John Wilson. You’ll be able to identify them on the night by the CCA graphics on the back of their club tee-shirt:
CCA tee-shirt – men’s back

CCA General Meeting (AGM) / guest speaker Armando Corvini
2023-11-15 19:30 - 21:30 | Ainslie Football & Social Club, 52 Wakefield Avenue, Ainslie, ACT, 2602, Australia
This meeting will be our AGM, so we will include election of CCA office bearers for 2023/2024 and a rundown of the CCA’s recent activities plus general climbing news and points of interest. The meeting will be followed by our guest speaker presentation, as usual.
CCA members and non-members are welcome.
Dinner is available from The Limestone Kitchen at the Ainslie Football Club, providing a great chance to relax and socialise with other CCA members before the AGM starts at 7.30pm. A table in the name of CCA is booked for 6pm.

Guest speaker: Armando Corvini
My life as a mountaineer: From Val Rosandra to the Himalayas and in between
Long-time CCA member, Armando Corvini, will share his passion for, and dedication to, climbing and mountaineering over his life, since his teens climbing the limestone crags of Val Rosandra, in Northern Italy. He will include highlights from his extraordinary experiences, ranging from exhilarating highs to dispiriting near-death experience on the Hiamlayas.

CCA Christmas drinks 2023
2023-12-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Capital Brewing Co., Building 3/1 Dairy Rd, Fyshwick, ACT, 2609, Australia
Our last event for the year is the ever-popular Christmas drinks, which will again be held at Capital Brewing Co. in Fyshwick. A table for 20 has been booked in the name of CCA, in the outside beer garden.
Snack type food is available there. Food is also available at brodburger, who have a permanent van in the taproom. Please note that the brodburger kitchen closes at 8pm.
Come along, bring a friend or significant other, and enjoy a night out anticipating your Christmas holiday plans, or getting some great ideas for holiday destinations from fellow climbers!

CCA Climbing Gym Night
2024-01-24 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-02-14 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-02-28 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-03-13 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-03-27 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-04-10 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-04-24 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-05-08 19:30 - 21:30 and 1 more date | CIRC, 38-40 Essington Street, Mitchell, ACT, 2911, Australia
Come and hang out with us!! No RSVP needed, just show up.
The CCA hosts a twice-monthly gym night at the Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing (CIRC) facility in Mitchell, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.
This is an opportunity for CCA members to climb with fellow members on a regular basis, learn or practise moves that you might use on outdoor climbs, and buddy up with potential outdoor climbing partners.
You can hire climbing shoes, a harness and chalk from the gym, or you can BYO. You will need to take a free-of-charge short belay course at the CIRC gym if you haven’t already done so.
As a CCA member, you can get a 10% discount on entry if you show your current membership card.
Coordinators for the gym nights are CCA Treasurer, Jack Pezzey, and CCA Secretary, John Wilson. You’ll be able to identify them on the night by the CCA graphics on the back of their club tee-shirt:

Blue Lake climbing weekend 2024
2024-03-16 - 2024-03-17 | Blue Lake, Blue Lake Kosciuszko National Park, NSW, Australia
Blue Lake, in Kosciuszko National Park, NSW, is a rare and beautiful cirque lake which has some of the clearest waters of any Australian lake. Granite cliffs of up to 55m overlook the west side of Blue Lake, providing some wonderful traditional climbing and the only alpine climbing area in Australia.
Participation
CCA holds this climbing weekend annually. The event is open to all current CCA members, and please note that you cannot join CCA on the day of the event (* see note about CCA membership below).
This is a climbing camp and we don’t provide instruction; we expect everybody to be self-sufficient climbers. However, for those that are a little rusty, there are opportunities to tie in to the other end of the rope and follow more experienced climbers up on some of the easy single-pitch classics on Elephant Buttress.
If you are interested in attending, please register with the event coordinator, Zac Zaharias (details below). He will then send you details including the camping location and possible car pooling options.
(* Note about CCA membership: you can only join CCA via our website, and it takes about a month to receive your member’s card after you submit the membership application form on-line and pay the membership fee)
What to bring
You will need to be a self-sufficient camper and climber for the entire weekend. We don’t provide any gear for this weekend’s event.
The crag is a 4 km trek from the carpark at Charlotte Pass, and is a steady uphill for most of the way. You will need to walk with all your climbing and camping gear, from the car park to where we camp above the tree line. Day climbing is also possible by walking the 4 km trek from the car park to the cliffs with just your climbing gear.
Climbing routes
Blue Lake climbing guide Blue Lake image gallery

CCA General Meeting / guest speaker Matt Clark
2024-03-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Ainslie Football & Social Club, 52 Wakefield Avenue, Ainslie, ACT, 2602, Australia
Come and hear a rundown of the CCA’s recent activities plus general climbing news and points of interest, followed by our guest speaker presentation.
CCA members and non-members are welcome.
Dinner is available from The Limestone Kitchen at the Ainslie Football Club, providing a great chance to relax and socialise with other CCA members before the meeting starts at 7.30pm. A table in the name of CCA is booked for 6pm.
Guest speaker: Matt Clark
Matt will be talking about his recent expedition to Mt Makalu (8485 metres), the fifth highest mountain the world.

Introductory Climbing Day – White Rocks (Wickerslack crag)
2024-04-14 | White Rocks, White Rocks, Karabar, NSW, 2620, Australia
This introductory climbing day, to be held at White Rocks (Wickerslack crag) in Queanbeyan, is an opportunity for indoor climbers and new CCA members to experience some fun and easy top-roped climbs on limestone.

Participation
Current CCA members of any experience are welcome. The focus for the day is to provide an informative atmosphere. For new CCA members, the day is an opportunity to learn basic climbing, rope and cliff skills at the best introductory crag in the region.
This event is for current CCA members only. You cannot join CCA on the day of the event (* see note about CCA membership below).
The day will be hosted by the CCA Vice President, Brian Mattick, and coordinated by CCA member, Phil Thomas. If you are interested in attending, or have any questions about the event, please contact Phil at eveningstarsystems1@hotmail.com.
(* Note about CCA membership: you can only join CCA via our website, and it takes about a month to receive your member’s card after you submit the membership application form on-line and pay the membership fee)
What to bring
If you have your own climbing gear (climbing rope, a few slings, carabiners and a belay device), please bring it. If you are new to climbing and have only a harness and helmet, please let Phil know this when you register your intention to attend. We may have to limit numbers because of gear limitations.
You will also need to bring your own food, water and sunscreen for the day.
Meeting time and location
Meet at the car park in Wickerslack Lane, about 450m from the Old Cooma Rd intersection, at 10am.
Climbing routes
Wickerslack Grag climbing guide
White Rocks Climbing Day homework!
The homework is intended to familiarise new climbers with some adventure climbing practices that are not necessarily learned in gym climbing.
White Rocks Climbing Day homework sheet (PDF 2MB)

Climbing Day – The Cloisters, Orroral Ridge
2024-05-04 | Orroral Ridge, Orroral Ridge, ACT, Australia
The Cloisters is a jumble of granite boulders on the Orroral Ridge, in Namadji National Park, ACT. There are good climbs at all grades (see descriptions below), and most of the day’s activities will take place around The Hello Boulder and Simple Simon Slabs, where there are some excellent, moderately-graded crack and wall/slab climbs.
Participation
This event is for current CCA members only. You cannot join CCA on the day of the event.
Note about CCA membership: you can only join CCA via our website, and it takes about a month to receive your member’s card after you submit the membership application form on-line and pay the membership fee.
What to bring
You will need to bring your personal climbing gear (climbing shoes, chalk bag, harness and helmet) plus food, water and sunscreen for the day.
Meeting time and location
Meet at the car park on the Orroral Ridge at 9am (see map at the bottom of this page). To get to the car park, drive up Apollo Road to the Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station then turn onto the gravel road near the shelter/toilets and follow this to the end, about 4 km uphill.
Climbing routes
thecrag.com describes The Cloisters as having “a wide range of grades and styles on boulders nestled among the trees” and lists 68 individual routes.
The Hello Boulder (15m boulder with 8 trad climbing routes, grades 9 – 23)

CCA General Meeting / guest speaker Hugh Newall
2024-05-15 19:30 - 21:30 | Ainslie Football & Social Club, 52 Wakefield Avenue, Ainslie, ACT, 2602, Australia
Come and hear a rundown of the CCA’s recent activities plus general climbing news and points of interest, followed by our guest speaker presentation.
CCA members and non-members are welcome.
Dinner is available from The Limestone Kitchen at the Ainslie Football Club, providing a great chance to relax and socialise with other CCA members before the meeting starts at 7.30pm. A table in the name of CCA is booked for 6pm.
Guest speaker: Hugh Newall
Hugh spends his time skiing steeps and climbing peaks. Tonight he will be talking about his climbs in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Introductory Climbing Day – Booroomba Rocks
2024-05-25 | Booroomba Rocks, Booroomba Rocks, Namadgi National Park, ACT, Australia
Ivory Coast – Booroomba Rocks
Our popular introductory climbing day at Booroomba Rocks, Namadgi National Park, is a great way for newer CCA members who are first-time climbers at Booroomba to enjoy the delights of the classic trad climbs at the Booroomba crag. It is also a great opportunity for indoor climbers to experience the joys of outdoor and trad climbing.
You will be led up a selection of classic routes at Booroomba Rocks, by experienced CCA members; grades will depend on climbers and leaders.
Participation
Participants of any experience are welcome; the focus for the day is to have a good time and provide an informative atmosphere.
The numbers who can participate will depend on how many CCA leaders we have, and we aim for a ratio of one leader/guide for a maximum of two participants, so it’s first in – best dressed!!
This event is only for CCA members. You cannot join the CCA on the day of the event, and you can only join via the CCA website. Please note that it takes about three weeks to receive your member’s card after you submit the membership application form on-line and pay the membership fee.
The day will be hosted by the CCA President, Zac Zaharias, and coordinated by CCA member, Phil Thomas. Please register your interest with Phil (see details below).
Please do not turn up on the day and hope to go climbing as we need to organise climbing leaders in advance for this event.

What to bring
Integral Crack – Booroomba Rocks
You will need to bring your personal climbing gear (climbing shoes, chalk bag, harness and helmet) plus food and water for the day. A water bottle that you can attach to your harness comes in very handy, as most climbs at Booroomba Rocks are multi-pitch. Many of the climbs are in full sun for most of the day so some form of sun protection is a good idea.
Meeting time and location
We will meet at the Booroomba Rocks car park at 9am for introductions and to organise climbing parties. To get to the car park, drive up Apollo Road to about 1km before the Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station. Turn right onto the gravel road (it’s signposted) and follow this to the end, about 3 km.

Booroomba Rocks image gallery Booroomba Rocks climbing guide

CCA Climbing Gym Night
2024-06-13 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-06-27 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-07-11 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-07-25 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-08-15 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-08-29 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-09-12 19:30 - 21:30 | CIRC, 38-40 Essington Street, Mitchell, ACT, 2911, Australia
Come and hang out with us!! No RSVP needed, just show up.
The CCA hosts a twice-monthly gym night at the Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing (CIRC) facility in Mitchell, on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.
This is an opportunity for CCA members to climb with fellow members on a regular basis, learn or practise moves that you might use on outdoor climbs, and buddy up with potential outdoor climbing partners.
You can hire climbing shoes, a harness and chalk from the gym, or you can BYO. You will need to take a free-of-charge short belay course at the CIRC gym if you haven’t already done so.
As a CCA member, you can get a 10% discount on entry if you show your current membership card.
Coordinators for the gym nights are CCA Treasurer, Jack Pezzey, and CCA Secretary, John Wilson. You’ll be able to identify them on the night by the CCA graphics on the back of their club tee-shirt:

Winter Solstice 2024 at Honeysuckle Creek
2024-06-22 - 2024-06-23 | Honeysuckle Creek Camp Ground, 244 Apollo Rd, Rendezvous Creek, ACT, 2620, Australia
The Winter Solstice weekend CCA camp-out at Honeysuckle Creek is becoming an annual tradition!
Spend the weekend climbing at Booroomba Rocks, Honeysuckle Crag or on the Orroral Ridge (the Orroral Ridge Road is open again – yaaayyyy!!!) and join other climbers at Honeysuckle Creek Camp Ground on Saturday night.
This is a great chance to meet other climbers, have a few drinks and tell a few unbelievable yarns around a roaring campfire.
Climbing
You will need to have a climbing partner to go climbing on this weekend.
The weekend is not an introductory activity for novice climbers, and there will be NO GUIDED CLIMBING for this event. If you cannot arrange a leader, you are welcome to still come along for the camp out.
Camping
The CCA will pay camping fees at Honeysuckle Creek Camp Ground, and we will provide wood for the campfire. We need to know participant numbers to register with ACT Parks and pay the camping fee, so please let the organisers know if you are coming to camp overnight (see RSVP details below).
Honeysuckle Creek Camp Ground has water, toilets, fireplaces, picnic tables and chairs. There is no electricity. You will need to provide everything else, including:

Warm clothes, beanie, gloves etc. in many layers. It will be cold overnight!
Dinner and breakfast, including food, cooking utensils, stove, plates and bowls, cup etc.
Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, torches (it is the longest night of the year, after all), a folding chair and any other creature comforts you feel are necessary.

We will be camping about 30-70m from the car park.
For more information about the campsite, visit Honeysuckle Campground – Parks ACT.
Registration and further information
For more information, to register for Saturday night camping, or to volunteer to help out, please contact the organiser detailed below.
Honeysuckle campground in winter

CCA General Meeting / guest speaker TBA
2024-07-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Ainslie Football & Social Club, 52 Wakefield Avenue, Ainslie, ACT, 2602, Australia
Come and hear a rundown of the CCA’s recent activities plus general climbing news and points of interest, followed by our guest speaker presentation.
CCA members and non-members are welcome.
Dinner is available from The Limestone Kitchen at the Ainslie Football Club, providing a great chance to relax and socialise with other CCA members before the meeting starts at 7.30pm. A table in the name of CCA is booked for 6pm.
Guest speaker: TBA
