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Cape Woolamai, Philip Island

damon23

12-Nov-2005
3:53:19 PM

Anyone been here? Is it top-ropable?

Rupert

12-Nov-2005
6:52:05 PM

Theres a joke in here somewhere about "how long is a piece of string" but I'm too tired to figure it out.

The answer is no, not really.
Cheers,
Rupert

mtnbear

13-Nov-2005
12:06:18 AM

I've been to check it out. The approaches for Pirate Pete Cove and Big Cliff area (the ones that get you down into the coves) are scary enough to make you think twice.

Going down into the coves are pretty treacherous at places but manageable. My prtner chickened out when we went and had a look at them so I cant comment on the climbing. She did vow to go back this weekend but now her heels have some enflammed tendons =( gonna have to post pone it.

JamesMc

13-Nov-2005
8:57:03 PM

Damon, I wouldn't recommend top roping at Woolmai as the top of the cliff is steep sand dune.

If you want to top rope in the area, then try Kilcunda. Drive along the road south from the west end of town to a small fenced enlosure. (Contains samples of power cable etc doing weathering tests.) Belay off this. The cliff under looks reasonably solid as far as Vic sea cliffs go.

James Mc

ant

14-Nov-2005
7:23:59 AM

On 12/11/2005 damon23 wrote:
>Anyone been here? Is it top-ropable?
>

If you do go for a look, I can really recommend the pinnacle traverse. The rock is fairly solid (compared to the rest of the area), and the final pinnacle crossing is in the same league as Aggamemnon

damon23

15-Nov-2005
12:07:53 AM

"same league as Aggamemnon" - big call!
What grade is this Pinnacle Traverse?

nmonteith

15-Nov-2005
12:31:55 AM

Grade 5

red

15-Nov-2005
9:39:03 AM

it's only grade 5.. but for the experience of climbing on rock with the consistancy of weetbix and downclimbing on second as you go up and down its certainly a hoot. I did it a few years ago and lets just say it was a full experience for the grade....

ant

15-Nov-2005
9:41:59 AM

The pinnacle traverse has AMAZING EXPOSURE, as the pinnacles are detached from one another. You have to lean out 8 feet or so onto the last pinnacle, with waves breaking in the gap below you. I'm over 6 foot tall and have long arms, but couldn't statically reach the holds.

Bring a few cams to #4 friend, some double slings and your wetsuit & surfboard (the other routes we did at Cape Woolamai were very average. Mainly because the rock has a surface layer of salty, kitty litter crud)

shiltz

15-Nov-2005
11:17:06 AM

There is good potential to pull rocks off the Pinnacle Traverse. We soloed out to the second pinnacle a few weeks back. It would be a fun climb to rope up for but only if the surf is no good. I think the surfing is the highlight down there rather than the climbing.

Bob Saki

15-Nov-2005
11:38:16 AM

i went down there for my first time on Cup Day
It's not top ropeable
the big cliff had some interesting climbs on poor rock. Pinnacle traverse is great fun in a mountaineering way and surprisingly the rock quality is noticeably better than the main/big cliff. I found it quite an experience for a grade 5, I reccommend it!
I found sea cliff climbing to be a fabntatsic and drammatic setting and I won't be rushing back there (I will go back one day) but Philip Is. is something worth doing once.
The swim aftrer the climb is a highlight!

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