Eldon
20 minutes flat walk
Afternoon sun
Sandstone
Introduction
Three areas have been explored with problems on two of these areas, The Knoll and Big Boulder, the third area is ten minutes further on from Big Boulder and has a cave and a few free standing boulders. There are isolated boulder problems along the Eldon ridgeline some seem worthwhile. The ridgeline and western hillside haven't really been explored yet.
Despite Eldon having been discovered for sport climbing ten years ago, bouldering is a recent discovery, the rock was lichenous and will need traffic to clean up fully. Don't complain about dirty holds, bring a brush.
Big boulder is a high ball area with surrounding problems being more normal sized. The Knoll has a range of average sized problems and tends to be the driest area.
Eldon dries quickly after rain.
Access
Eldon is about 50 minutes drive from Hobart via Richmond and Colebrook. At Colebrook turn right on to Eldon Rd, towards Tunnack. Follow this up over the hill and down the other side. At the bridge head left, onto the gravel road. Follow this until it turns back to bitumen and up the hill. Park on the side of the road just before the gate marked "Eldon Hill". The track starts 50m down the hill from this at a small rock shelf. Follow the orange tapes up the hill until you hit an old 4wd track. Turn right on this and follow it out towards the ridge. Instead of heading right here for the sport climbing, follow the track back inland and then turn right, following the orange tapes out to the Knoll.
If you lose the track head west (towards the road) until you hit the downhill then follow the ridgeline around, slightly longer but difficult to lose your way.
The crag and access walk are within the Spinning Gum Conservation Area which is public land.
GPS
The Knoll
The Knoll is a prominent knoll on the ridgeline. The problems are on the western and southern sides. Follow the orange taped track to the western outcrops. It brings you to the decent gully at the southern end of the main area.
Top Boulders
The Top boulders are above the access to the Knoll main area.
Start on large sidepull and jug/pinch.
Start with crimps and pinch.
Start with crimps on rail.
Start with lip and feet on back wall.
Start near Born Loser, but head left to the two ears on the arete, and up
When a good problem turns bad. Start on the slopey pinch at the back of the little cave.
Start on the undercling right at the back.
Main Area
Needs a sit.
Start as for middle right head left early.
Start on jug head up and slightly left.
Hard line straight up.
The undercut arete, the best line in the area. Jump start to the horizontal break, then power to the top. It could probably have a lower, harder sit or hang start added.
Jon Nermut, 2022
Start on the big flake feature.
Start on the jug.
Start in the scoop and pocket, feet on the back wall.
Start on the roof pocket and pinch, feet on the back wall.
Start on the jug
Start in the scoop.
Start with the undercling and low sidepull.
Start on the Jug
Start on the jugs.
Arete/slab
Cave with a view
Cave with a view is on the southern face of the Knoll.
Head south, around the ridge from the main area.
Start on the knob and rail at the back wall.
Start on the awkward jug, gets better the higher you go.
Start on the undercling.
Start on the lip jug.
The Big Boulder
The Big Boulder area is a series of walls and buttresses near an impressive rounded boulder.
Access is from the Knoll ridge, follow the orange track until you are on the ridge proper and at a native cherry tree with two bands of orange and two bands of pink. Follow the pink tape to the top of the descent to big boulder.
Harmony Hut boulder
Harmony hut boulder is the first boulder you come at the descent gully
Start on the iron knob.
Straight to the jug and up.
Start on the break then straight up.
Start on the jug rail, head for the jug. Be prepared to commit.
Done as a stand start to the big jug past the lip. The sit start and the high ball topout are yet to be done.
Hard sit, straight up the arete.
