Canberra Climbers' Association

Introductory Climbing Day – Booroomba Rocks (South Buttress)
2019-03-03 | Booroomba Rocks, Booroomba Rocks, Namadgi National Park, ACT, Australia
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 Booroomba Rocks, South Buttress routes by experienced CCA members; grades will depend on climbers and leaders.
Participation
Participants of any experience are welcome. 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!!
You will need to join CCA on the day if you are not a member ($20 for one year or $50 for three years), and all participants will need to sign the CCA Activity Waiver (PDF 75KB) before attending.
Please register your interest with the coordinator, Brian Mattick (see details below).
What to bring
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

Vomit (17) – Booroomba Rocks, South Buttress

Blue Lake climbing weekend 2019
2019-02-01 - 2019-02-03 | 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.
CCA holds this climbing weekend annually. It is open to all CCA members and to non-members who join CCA ($20 for one year or $50 for three years) at the beginning of the weekend. All participants will also need to sign a CCA Activity Waiver (PDF 75KB) before the weekend.
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.
Please note that you will need to walk 4 km with your climbing and camping gear, from the car park at Charlotte Pass to where we camp above the tree line. Day climbing is also possible by doing the 4 km trek from the car park to the cliffs with just your climbing gear.

Blue Lake image gallery Blue Lake climbing guide

55m granite cliffs at the west end of Blue Lake, Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

CCA General Meeting / guest speakers Ken Baldwin and Huw Kingston
2018-11-21 19:45 - 21:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
Our last general meeting for 2018. 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.
Guest speakers: Ken Baldwin and Huw Kingston
Ken Baldwin – Red wine, rosti and hard pack
The classic Haute Route one-week traverse of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps from Chamonix to Zermatt is every ski-mountaineer’s dream – and the magnificent scenery is just one of the many highlights. Huge ascents of over 1,000m in a day lead to even bigger descents – including one 2,200m downhill run down to Zermatt – the equivalent of Mt Kosciuszko summit to the sea. The catered réfuges provided excellent cuisine after a hard day, washed down with beer and wine. The perfect Bluebird weather for 8 days made for great photography, but the huge storm that followed led to a disaster near the highest point that saw 7 skiers perish overnight. A reminder that any adventure in the high mountains should be undertaken with the utmost respect of the environment.
Huw Kingston – Vodka, slushies and powder
With a bottle of Shohona in hand, Huw Kingston will tell tales from his ski expedition to the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan in Central Asia. Earlier this year, Huw and his three companions failed miserably to ascend the highest peaks but succeeded magnificently in making the first ski traverse of this stunning range that runs up to 5,500 metres. Expect acts of barberism (yes, correct spelling…..) on the streets of Tajikistan, plumbing the hell of the deepest, sloppiest snow on earth and rejoicing in soft, soft powder.

CCA Climbing Week - Mt Arapiles
2018-11-03 - 2018-11-11 | Mt Arapiles, Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park, Centenary Park Road, Victoria, 3409, Australia
Come and join CCA members Robert Douglas and Brian Mattick for a week of climbing at this wonderful world-famous sandstone crag.
Mt Arapiles has everything from short test pieces to multi-pitch classics at all grades. The 3,000+ climbing routes are too numerous to be listed here, but comprehensive descriptions are available on thecrag.com website.
Please contact Robert or Brian (details below) if you would like to join in.

The Dawn Wall - special CCA screening
2018-10-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Dendy Cinemas, Level 2, North Quarter, Canberra Centre 148 Bunda Street, Canberra, ACT, Australia
CCA has arranged a special screening of The Dawn Wall movie for its members and their family and friends. This special screening is scheduled for the day before the official public screening.
The Dawn Wall
Images from the Dawn Wall, January 2015, shot by Bligh Gillies of Corey Rich Productions in Yosemite National Park, California.
In January 2015, American rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson captivated the world with their effort to climb the Dawn Wall of El Capitan, a seemingly impossible 3,000-foot rock face in Yosemite National Park, California. The pair lived on the sheer vertical cliff for weeks, igniting a frenzy of global media attention.
But for Tommy Caldwell, the Dawn Wall was much more than just a climb. It was the culmination of a lifetime defined by overcoming obstacles. At the age of 22, the climbing prodigy was taken hostage by rebels in Kyrgyzstan. Shortly after, he lost his index finger in an accident but resolved to come back stronger. When his marriage fell apart, he escaped the pain by fixating on the extraordinary goal of free climbing the Dawn Wall. Blurring the line between dedication and obsession, Caldwell and his partner Jorgeson spend six years meticulously plotting and practising their route. On the final attempt, with the world watching, Caldwell is faced with a moment of truth. Should he abandon his partner to fulfil his ultimate dream, or risk his own success for the sake of their friendship?
Images from the Dawn Wall, January 2015, shot by Bligh Gillies of Corey Rich Productions in Yosemite National Park, California.
More than just a climbing movie, The Dawn Wall is an epic and inspirational story that will take you into the hearts and minds of the protagonists and is to be enjoyed by all.

Winner of The Audience Award at South By Southwest
Accepted into the Melbourne International Film Festival
Described by Variety Magazine as “A must-see”
100% on Rotten Tomatoes!

Pitch 15, rated 5.14d, of the Dawn Wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park gave Kevin Jorgeson the most difficulty during his and Tommy Caldwell’s historic first free ascent of the Dawn Wall (VI 5.14d) on January 14, 2015.
Tickets
Tickets are limited, so you will need to book and pay in advance.
Prices are

$20 CCA members
$22 students
$25 family and friends of CCA members

Booking process

Email the booking officer, Brian Mattick (see details below) with the number and type (member, student or family/friend) of tickets you need.
Pay via direct deposit to the CCA bank account:

Bank: Serviceone Credit Union
BSB: 801009
Account: 1064291
Please put your full name in the reference box on your bank’s online payment form. This will show up on the CCA bank statements and we can identify who has paid.
You can purchase as many tickets as you like. First in, best dressed.
We will sell tickets on the night if we have any spare seats – but you are taking a big risk of missing out as we predict that tickets will sell fast!
Images from the Dawn Wall, January 2015, shot by Brett Lowell of Big UP Productions in Yosemite National Park, California.
Trailer
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Climbing day at The Cloisters, Orroral Ridge
2018-10-07 09:00 - 16:00 | 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 (pictured above) and Simple Simon Slabs, where there are some excellent, moderately-graded crack and wall / slab climbs.
Meeting time and location
Meet at the carpark on the Orroral Ridge at 9am (see map at the bottom of this page). To get to the carpark, 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.
The air temperature on Orroral Ridge will be cold, so be prepared!
Participation
This event is open to all CCA members and to non-members who join CCA ($20 for one year or $50 for three years) at the start of the day. All participants will also need to sign a CCA Activity Waiver (PDF 75KB) before climbing.

Climbing routes at The Cloisters

Introductory Climbing Day – Booroomba Rocks
2018-09-23 09:00 - 16:00 | Booroomba Rocks, Booroomba Rocks, Namadgi National Park, ACT, Australia
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 Booroomba crag routes (grades will depend on climbers) by experienced CCA members. Participants of any experience are welcome; the numbers who can participate will depend on how many CCA leaders we have. We aim for a ratio of one leader/guide for a maximum of two participants, so it’s first in – best dressed!!
You will need to join CCA on the day if you are not a member ($20 for one year or $50 for three years), and all participants will need to sign the CCA Activity Waiver (PDF 75KB) before attending.
Please register your interest with the coordinator, Zac Zaharias (see details below).
We will meet at the Booroomba Rocks car park at 9am for introductions and to organise climbing parties.
Booroomba Rocks image gallery Booroomba Rocks climbing guide
Booroomba Rocks – North Buttress

CCA Annual General Meeting / guest speaker Damien Gildea
2018-09-19 19:45 - 21:30 | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
We will have a short meeting for the election of CCA office bearers for 2018/2019 and 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.
Guest speaker: Australian mountaineer and Antarctic explorer, Damien Gildea
Damien Gildea is an Australian mountaineer and Antarctic explorer who has climbed extensively in Antarctica, Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan, Bolivia, Alaska, New Zealand and elsewhere. Tonight he will talk about the history of climbing in Antarctica and give an overview of the various mountain areas.
Damien has led eight expeditions to the high mountains of Antarctica and two ski expedition to the South Pole. In 2006, the United States Geological Survey named the Gildea Glacier, on the Vinson Massif, in recognition of Damien’s exploration and mapping in the Sentinel Range.
Damien has been the Antarctic correspondent for the American Alpine Journal since 1999 and, in addition to Mountaineering in Antarctica: Climbing in the Frozen South (2010), he published The Antarctic Mountaineering Chronology (1998). When not on expeditions he lives in Goulburn, NSW.
Copies of Mountaineering in Antarctica: Climbing in the Frozen South will be available for sale at the meeting, at a special CCA members’ price of $30.

CCA General Meeting / guest speaker Duncan Brown
2018-07-18 19:45 - 21:30 | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
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.
Guest speaker: professional rock climber, personal trainer and sports coach, Duncan Brown – “Obsession”

Determination becomes obsession, and then it becomes all that matters.
Duncan will share how obsession, sometimes with things proud and grand, and sometimes with things comically trivial, has shaped his climbing and his life over the years and led him to become the climber he is today – still as obsessed as the day he started.
Duncan is a personal trainer and sports coach. He has over a decade of experience coaching swimming, gymnastics, trampoline and rock climbing, as well as being a professional rock climber. He currently lives in Canberra, Australia, and conducts personal training, group classes and private climbing coaching in the world class bouldering and training facilities at BlocHaus Bouldering Gym in Canberra. He is the founder of Athlete By Choice, a locally-grown company which provides coaching and training programs for climbing and other outdoor sports.
Duncan is also the training writer for Vertical Life Magazine and has written training and climbing articles for many publications both in Australia and around the world.

CCA General Meeting / guest speaker Zac Zaharias
2018-05-16 20:00 - 22:00 | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
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.
Guest speaker: CCA President, Zac Zaharias
Zac recently returned from his third expedition to Mera Peak (6,476m) in Nepal and crossing the Amphu Lapcha Pass. He and his team had a successful trip with 5 of the 8 team members reaching the summit, and all team members reaching 6,200m. Mera Peak, while technically easy climbing, is very high and has one of the most amazing vistas from the summit where you can see five 8,000 metre peaks.

CCA General Meeting / guest speaker Armando Corvini
2018-03-28 20:00 - 22:00 | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
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.
Guest speaker: Armando Corvini – Life goes on
Long-time CCA member, Armando Corvini, completed a successful expedition to Ama Dablam, Lagunak Ridge in 1994. The expedition was marred by Armando suffering severe frost bite to both hands and feet, and his life came to a complete stop as he recovered from his injuries; in the process of losing his fingers and toes, he also lost his livelihood.
This is Armando’s story of survival and the long road to recovery to what he is now. Armando is a great inspiration to many climbers and youth; come along to hear his impressive story.
Life goes on!!

Armando Corvini (left) with Graham Franklin-Browne (right) on Sunstroke – Booroomba Rocks

The art and science of trad lead climbing - Day 1
2018-03-25 | White Rocks, White Rocks, Karabar, NSW, 2620, Australia
Ever wanted to learn how to lead “trad” climbs and not known how to start?
Traditional climbing, or trad climbing, is a style of rock climbing in which a climber places all gear required to protect against falls, and removes it when a pitch is complete.
This is the first day of a 2-day introductory traditional lead climbing course run by CCA in conjunction with K7 Adventures.
Day 1 provides foundation skills covering knots, gear, belaying and setting up belays, placing protection and staying safe. It will take place at White Rocks; cost is $100 per person (see details below).
Day 2 (date will be provided to participants of Day 1) will give you the opportunity to lead single-pitch trad climbs at Booroomba Rocks, Namadgi National Park; cost is $220 per person.
The course is being run by qualified, experienced instructors from CCA and K7 Adventures.
Trad climbing gear

CCA Introductory Climbing Day – Booroomba Rocks
2018-03-17 | Booroomba Rocks, Booroomba Rocks, Namadgi National Park, ACT, Australia
Our annual introductory climbing day at Booroomba Rocks, in Namadgi National Park, is a great way for newer CCA members 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.
All participants are welcome; the numbers who can participate will depend on how many leaders we have. We normally have a ratio of one leader/guide for a maximum of two participants, so it will be “first in – best dressed”!!
You will need to join CCA on the day if you are not a member ($20 for one year or $50 for three years), and all participants will need to sign the CCA Activity Waiver (PDF 75KB) before attending.
Please register your interest with the coordinator, Zac Zaharias (see details below).
Booroomba Rocks image gallery Booroomba Rocks climbing guide
Booroomba Rocks – North Buttress

Blue Lake climbing weekend 2018
2018-03-02 - 2018-03-04 | 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.
CCA holds this annual climbing weekend, which is open to all CCA members and to non-members who join CCA ($20 for one year or $50 for three years) at the beginning of the weekend. All participants will also need to sign a CCA Activity Waiver (PDF 75KB) before the weekend.
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.

Blue Lake image gallery Blue Lake climbing guide

European Outdoor Film Tour - CCA member ticket discount
2018-02-12 19:00 - 22:00 | Canberra Openair Cinema, Patrick White Lawns, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
European Outdoor Film Tour is one of the world’s best outdoor adventure film tours. The films cover a whole variety of different outdoor adventure activities including expedition travel, mountain biking, climbing, mountaineering, skiing and kayaking.
Check out more at www.eoftaustralia.com or watch the trailer:

CCA has secured an exclusive partner discount for the European Outdoor Film Tour, which gives our members access to $20 tickets for the event.
All CCA members will be receiving, via email, a special discount code that you can enter at the end of the process when purchasing your ticket.
So why not make an evening of it!? Some “buildering” at the library wall, then kick back with a cold one and be inspired for your next adventure… “no script, no actors, no special effects”.

CCA General Meeting / Andrew Cadogan-Cowper
2017-11-15 19:45 - 21:30 | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
Looking down to the valley below the enormous west wall of Tofana de Rozes. Via ferrata G. Lipella, Tofana de Rozes, Dolomiti, Italy.

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.
Guest speaker: Andrew Cadogan-Cowper
“My European Summer: Formidable Ferrate and Friendly 4000’ers”
Local climber Andrew Cadogan-Cowper will take us on a visual journey through some of Europe’s most beautiful alpine areas. This includes self-guided ascents of Mont Blanc (4810m), Breithorn (4164m) and Allalinhorn (4027m), as well as some of the world’s best vie ferrate such as the huge west wall of Tofana de Rozes and the Via delle Bocchette Centrali.

CCA General Meeting (AGM) / Dr Jim Duff guest speaker
2017-09-27 19:45 - 21:30 | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
Above image: Khumbu Icefall (centre) and Glacier descending from the Western Cwm, hidden behind Nuptse (right). Everest’s summit and Southwest Face are above the cwm. Between and below the summit of Everest and the South Summit lies the upper snowfield with the vertical cliffs of the Rock Band beneath it. (Photographer: Fabien 1309 assumed. Source: Wikipedia)

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.
Guest speaker: Dr Jim Duff
Dr Jim Duff
Dr Jim Duff is a Doctor and experienced mountaineer who, along with Dr Charles Clarke, accompanied Hamish MacInnes, Chris Bonington, Dougal Haston, Doug Scott, Mick Burke, Nick Estcourt and others on the 1975 British Mount Everest Southwest Face expedition. This was the first expedition to successfully climb Mount Everest by ascending one of its faces.
Jim was a member of many of the British Himalayan expeditions in the 1970s and 80s that were at the forefront of climbing new routes amongst the Himalayan giants. Nowadays, Jim acts as Medical Advisor for numerous expedition and wilderness first aid courses. He has over 30 years’ experience in climbing, trekking and teaching wilderness medicine. He has been a volunteer doctor for the Himalayan Rescue Association at Pheriche and Manang rescue posts, has been on many Himalayan expeditions, and is also a keen sailor. Jim is the founder of the International Porter Protection Group and author of numerous articles on travel and medical matters. Jim is also the co-developer of the Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC).
In tonight’s presentation, Jim will give a personal view on the evolution of rock climbing, based on his experience of growing up in the heart of the Lake District, UK.
Demon Wall Gable, Lake District, 1963

CCA General Meeting / Australian Museum Balls Pyramid Expedition 2017
2017-07-19 19:45 - 21:30 | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
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.
Guest speaker: Brian Mattick
Australian Museum Balls Pyramid Expedition 2017
Located 22 kilometres south of Lord Howe Island, Balls Pyramid is a massive spire of volcano rock and – at 551m high – is thought to be the tallest sea stack in the world. Being a World Heritage Site, climbing on Balls Pyramid had been banned since the mid-80s. The summit is about 30 square metres and one of the most rarely visited places on earth. Find out how CCA member Brian Mattick, twice-climber of Balls Peak Keith Bell, and four other climbers, got to climb Balls Pyramid in March 2017 and capture one of the rarest insects in the world.
Lord Howe Island stick insect or tree lobster, Dryococelus australis
L-R: Zane Priebbenow, Vanessa Wills and Dave Grey on the Balls Pyramid summit (photo by Paul Priebbenow)

Keith Bell on Balls Pyramid summit block
More stories and photos of the expedition
AM Expedition: Lord Howe Island, 2017 by Madelaine Love, Australian Museum.
Landing on Balls Pyramid by Paul Flemons, Australian Museum.
Climbing Balls Pyramid by Keith Bell.
Riddle in the Pacific by Peter Munro, Wolter Peeters & others, The Sydney Morning Herald (includes some fabulous photos plus a great 3 min video!).
The Lord Howe Island stick insect that came back from the dead by Ann Jones, ABC News.

CCA General Meeting / Climbing in the USA
2017-05-17 19:45 - 21:30 | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
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.
Guest speakers: Damian Jovanovic and Sarah Truscott
In late 2015, CCA members Damian Jovanovic and Sarah Truscott spent 2 months trawling the west coast of North America, seeking out the best cracks they could find. With an addiction that began on their home turf of Billy Billy Rocks, they immersed themselves completely in single-pitch and multi-pitch cracks on granite, sandstone and volcanics.

Top image: Damian feeling the calf pump at Trout Creek (photo by Sarah Truscott).

The Incredible Hulk, California (photo by Sarah Truscott).

Sarah seconding on the Grand Wall, Squamish (photo by Damian Jovanovic).

Introductory Climbing Day - Booroomba Rocks
2017-04-23 | Booroomba Rocks, Booroomba Rocks, Namadgi National Park, ACT, Australia
The ever-popular introductory climbing day at Booroomba Rocks, Namadgi National Park, is a great way for newer CCA members 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.
All welcome. You will need to join CCA on the day if you are not a member ($20 for one year or $50 for three years), and all participants will need to sign the CCA Activity Waiver (PDF 75KB) before attending.
Please register your interest with the coordinator, Armando Corvini (details below).
Booroomba Rocks image gallery Booroomba Rocks climbing guide
Booroomba Rocks – North Buttress

Blue Lake climbing weekend 2017
2017-03-31 - 2017-04-02 | 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.
CCA holds this annual climbing weekend, which is open to all CCA members and to non-members who join CCA ($20 for one year or $50 for three years) at the beginning of the weekend. All participants will also need to sign a CCA Activity Waiver (PDF 75KB) before the weekend.
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.
» visit the Blue Lake image gallery
» see routes and climbing guides for Blue Lake

CCA General Meeting / Heard Island Expedition
2017-03-15 19:45 - 21:30 | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
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.
Guest speaker: Matt Rogerson
In 2000, Matt Rogerson, Stu Davies, Robb Clifton and Tim Curtis made the third ascent of Mawson’s Peak, one of Australia’s highest, most inaccessible and wildest mountains. At 2,745m high, the active volcano rises from the depths of the Southern Ocean to form Heard Island – one of Australia’s sub-antarctic territories.
The first ascent of the mountain came in 1965, in an Australian expedition led by the great Bill Tilman and Warwick Deacock, and it was in this tradition that the Army Alpine Association launched their attempt. Matt will share the story of the climb, including the team’s unconventional travel to the island and the drama of a difficult ascent 4000km from home.
Elephant seals laze on the beach in front of Heard Island volcano Big Ben (Photo: Dr Matt Curnock)

CCA General Meeting / Climbing in the Dolomites
2016-11-16 19:45 - 21:30 | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
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.
Guest speakers: CCA members Jack Pezzey, Brian Mattick and Ben Freyens
Jack, Brian and Ben will show slides of their recent, separate trips to the Dolomites, a world-famous, very accessible region of spectacular limestone peaks in NE Italy. At most two hours’ walk from your car reaches a huge range of climbing, from 3 to 33 pitches, with no altitude problems, usually no snow, often stunningly exposed, and all grades from via ferratas and mid-teen trads (what we climbed) to super hard/long routes. With accessibility come typical Dolomite features such as howling motorbikes and sportscars, beer on summits and cable-car descents; less typically, we also met an ankle-breaking crevasse, a descent in a kilometre-long tunnel and a karabiner-shaped thigh-branding!
Pictured below is the Sassolungo group; the isolated spire on the middle peak has a thrilling knife-edge ridge at just grade 13.
Sassolungo (3,181m) is the highest mountain of the Sella Group in the western Dolomites in South Tyrol, Italy. The name translates to “long peak” / “long rock”. Further summits are the Punta Grohmann, Torre Innerkofler, Dente, Sassopiatto and Cinque Dita. The Sassolungo mountain range could be considered the borderline between the Val Gardena and Val di Fassa.

CCA General Meeting (AGM) / Keith Bell & Jim Smith guest speakers
2016-09-21 19:45 - 21:30 | Room HB3, Hedley Bull Centre, The Australian National University, Fellows Road, Acton, ACT, 2601
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.
Guest speakers: Keith Bell & Jim Smith
Keith Bell and Jim Smith will be talking about their historic climb of Balls Pyramid in the 1960s and 1970s, and presenting their new book “South Pacific Pinnacle – The Exploration of Balls Pyramid”.
South Pacific Pinnacle: The Exploration of Balls Pyramid
300 page hardcover book with many photos, edited by Jim Smith and Keith Bell (Den Fenella Press, $50 incl. postage within Australia)

Booroomba 50th Anniversary Celebration: 1966 - 2016
2016-08-31 18:00 - 20:00 | The Kingston Hotel, 73 Canberra Avenue, Griffith, ACT, 2603, Australia
The first climb recorded at Booroomba Rocks was made in January 1966 by Peter Aitchison. The climb, named Aitchison’s Needle was graded at 13 and is a small pinnacle just off the South Buttress.
Peter Aitchison at the top of the Bugaboos in British Columbia, circa 1992.
The CCA is proud to announce a celebration of 50 years of climbing at Booroomba Rocks; the night promises to be a great evening with displays of photos and memorabilia from that era. As well, a number of climbers who made many first ascents over the last 50 years will be present to tell some great yarns.
Finger food will be provided on arrival and drinks can be purchased at the bar. Meals can be purchased after the event.
Please RSVP to Tony Wood (see details below) before Monday 22nd August, including how many will be attending (for catering purposes). Tony, of course, was one of the early pioneers of climbing at Booroomba Rocks.
Booroomba Rocks – some 1st ascensionists (August 2016)
Some participants of the Booroomba 50th Anniversary celebrations
