Hungry Flats
10 seconds
Sunny & Shady
Sandstone
Introduction
Hungry Flats is some freestanding boulders and cave/cliffs of average quality sandstone in the middle of nowhere, that has the redeeming features of virtually no walk (park ~20-30 metres away from the boulders), and a sunny aspect.
Hungry flats is a band of rock that follows the contours of the hill. There are free standing boulders and buttresses. Many of the buttresses are undercut producing a roof start. There are two main areas the Front Nine nearest the road and the Back Nine about 5 minutes walk from the road.
The Front Nine comprise freestanding blocks with some buttresses and have a range of slabs and overhangs.
The Back Nine comprise a series of buttresses with undercuts, overhangs and slabs.
History
This area has been known for a long time but not developed. The lack of development appears to be down to the cleaning effort.
Given the recent spate of poor weather and lack of bouldering options this area was revisited and cleaned enough to see some problems. Generally the rock is good under the lichen and the lichen cleans pretty easily.
Access
Drive to Richmond and then Colebrook. At Colebrook turn right onto Rhyndaston Rd, and then 1km down this turn right again onto Eldon Road (C342). Immediately after a narrow bridge, take the right fork onto Link Road. Head down this for 10 minutes or so until you enter the Gravelly Ridge Conservation Area. Keep going straight, on Hungry Flats Road. Take this for another 5 or so minutes up the hill, until you spot the boulders on the right hand side of the road. Park at the furthest left side of the boulders, just before the road takes a right hand turn.
GPS
The Front Nine
The Front Nine is convenient! Right by the road. Like any new area problems are going to be dusty for a bit and to spot any new awesome lines you are going to need a brush. Also helps to have a blower.
The Front Nine is mainly a cluster of boulders around Biggie boulder.
Pinnacle Boulder
Cleaned but not tried.
Cleaned but not tried.
Slopey hard.
Up the middle of the face is harder still
Back Wall Boulder
The Back Wall has been cleaned but nothing tried.
Biggie Boulder
Biggie Boulder North Face
Start on sidepull and ironstone backed jug.
Start on the biggest brown flake and pocket. Stick to the brown rock for the best experience.
Both hands to the top. If you do the top out feel free to rename.
Biggie Boulder West Face
Biggie Boulder South Face
The blocky arete
The best of the slabs
Up the arete, through the tree
The back of the boulder has tree debris use the tree for descending from the boulder.
Just right of the arete. A nice warmup.
In the middle of the back face. Use the tree to down climb.
The Back Nine
To get to the Back Nine it is easiest to drive past the Front Nine and park up the hill at the next road widening. Then walk straight up over the hill. Look for an uprooted stump near the top of Boulder One. Alternatively walk right around the line of the boulders from the Front Nine until you spot these boulders - its a decent way around.
Boulder One
All problems finish with hands on the halfway ledge unless otherwise noted.
Start with hands under lip.
Starting with hands on the lip holds is V4.
Start with feet on the back wall hands on side pulls.
Cleaned but untried.