Thinking of a trip this weekend to check out the West Coast crags.  Would like to check out Conical Rocks but obviously the access is epic - drive to the West Coast, Ferry ride (though we might kayak) then walk in.  Wondering whether anyone has done it and has some beta.  Was thinking to catch the ferry in the morning on Saturday, walk into and climb the cliffs Saturday arvo, stay Saturday night then Ferry back out Sunday.  Not sure though whether this is enough time to locate the rock and do a few routes tho?  It seems like the crags are pretty spread out. 

Hopefully someone - Nick maybe? - can advise.  

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3 Comments

  1. Nick Hancock

     

    Ben

    Getting the ferry in and walking to the crags is not too bad, about 1.5 to 2 hours. You yust need one 60m rope. 6 hangers and 8 draws for some climbs and a medium rack for others. If you do the Witches hat can you grab the cord and ring off the top. Left on a school trip there. There is water available from Paul Lees in the green shack half way from Pieman heads to the rocks. Its a bit far to carry it though. You can also get water fro behind the shack at Conical harbour and camp there. New dawn Fades is just north of the harbour and easy to see after the fife, its on the biggest rock around, you need 6 hangers, shand on the rock to start. At the south end of the main Conical Rocks is Closer etc, easily found. Atmosphere is the big pinnacle half in the sea in the middle of the main section. You can also bike in from Granville harbour in maybe 4 hours (I walked in with a school group).

    Enjoy- its awesome out there!

    Nick

  2. Nick Hancock

     

    PS all the best climbing is pretty close to eachother, 5 mins between climbs, except New dawn fades which is 5 mins further south of the main area. As you walk out from the ferry veer right to amongst the rocks and go through them instead of staying on the main 4wd track which bypasses them.

  3. Ben Thorp AUTHOR

    Cheers for the info Nick.  We decided to check out the Trial Harbour crags in the end as we had limited time.  Climbed the Only the Lonely pinnacle which was great and Vanishing Point near to that.  Goldrush and the Castle were a bit wet but look amazing.  The rock was really unique - the funny grey knob things are crazy!  

    Keen to get back and check out Conical rocks with a bit more time.  Biking in from Granville Harbour sounds like a good option compared to the ferry.  

    Great work developing these areas - definitely a unique style of climbing in a really wild location.