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The First Cave

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Description

For a long time this sported only one route - Los Hermanos de la Denitente. Then this cave was discovered by Graeme Hill and Mark Woodard and several stiff sporty routes in the low to mid 20s where added. More recently, Simon Vaughan and Gavin Murray have added a couple more routes. Los Hermanos de la Denitente and Biafra can be attempted in the pouring rain.

Access issues inherited from Mount Alexandra

Located in the Mount Alexandra Reserve, under stewardship of the Wingecarribee Shire Council.

Some content has been provided under license from: © Australian Climbing Association Queensland (Creative Commons, Attribution, Share-Alike 2.5 AU)

Routes

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Grade Route

First route on the beginners slab. Easy clipping ledges to learn the art of leading. Anchors above the last big ledge to allow for cleaning practice.

FA: ThomasT

The second route as you walk in, located on the slab used by pesky abseilers. Bolted for the beginner leader and for the short (or more accurately a six year olds height.)

FA: Matt Tranter, 2017

The second route you come to. Tricky start then nice moves thru bulge without using the cave. Then a walk to the anchors.

FA: Simon Vaughan & L. Robinson, 2001

Looks OK, but everyone says its crap. Get on it, and judge for yourself. Hard to clean, best to get someone to 2nd it.

Start: Start: 2m left of SE

Tricky moves on sandy holds to exit the first cave then a powerful move above the third. Straight up on jugs to the anchors.

FA: 12 Jun 2023

Clip 1st bolt of DOANCS, surmount the bulge,move right to mini arete, clip bolt then move into litte closed corner then up through steepness to anchors. As for 'Death Of A New Car Salesman' Bouldery crux around the mini arete to steep climbing on pockets and jugs

FA: Simon Vaughan, 2011

A nice line, a bit tricky to clip the 2nd bolt. Up past 5 RBs to U anchor lower off. Stiff at 20 (could be 21), but guess who bolted it ?

Start: Start: Behind Tree

FA: Mark Woodard, 1997

Hard at the grade, but nevertheless another fantastic offering by Mr Woodward. Left of DOANCS, below crack. Up to crack (crux) then

up and right to jug. Out roof on jugs to glory. 3 RBs

(2nd is hard to clip), clip double RB anchor on lip then

continue up and right to lower off as for DOANCS.

Sustained !

FA: Mark Woodard, 1998

Climb the first three bolts of Shot of Spirit, then head right, into Progress Comes to Shitsville finishing on the anchor of Death of a New Car Salesman.

FA: Jake Parker, 10 Jun 2023

Straight up with difficulty down low then fly through the super roof

Set: Mark Farrell

FFA: Thomas Farrell

FA: Thomas Farrell, 2013

Excellent sustained route with a technical start and a pumpy steep finish. Climb Electric Gut Stick Gobblers past 4 RBs to horizontal jug under roof, then out right on reachy mega pockets through roof to final move left to big plate and anchor. Watch your butt on the last move, if you fall off you land on the nearby tree!

FA: Andrew Addison, 2006

Graeme reckons it 22, but the locals reckon its aleast 24. Start: Left of PCtS, below round feature.

Up into closed corner and up. Move left and out to double RB on LHdlD.

FA: Graeme Hill, 1998

The Crag Classic !! Solid and sustained wall climbing on good holds. Stand up on tree stump, and power all the way thru to roof. Shake out here and show off with a french blow - punch the roof and into the cave, then move up right wards to clip the anchors.

FA: Garth Miller, 1992

Clip one of the double rings of LHDLD as a BR and pump right to the anchors. If you clip a long draw at the anchors or stand in the tree you haven't done it

FA: Graeme Hill, 1998

Up first 2 bolts of Los Hermanos and then clip new ring bolt to the left and squeeze through crux here to the nice jugs on Biafra and finish at its anchors

FA: Simon Vaughan, 2013

From the anchors on 'Biafra', keep on truckin' past 2 more RBs thru the roof to finish on big jugs and lower offs.

FA: Andy, 2006

Next to trees near left edge of cave. Use your squiddy (or stick) to clip first RB, then bouldery, powerful moves to a good rest at 3rd RB. Hard moves to 4th RB then EZ steep territory to double RB lower off. 6 RBs in total.

FA: Cameron Breeze, 1999

FA: Cameron Breeze, 1999

Start between Biafra an Galvanise. Trick start then up flake to break. Then as per G to anchors.

FA: Simon Vaughan, 2008

As for Galvanise, but traverse right after 4th RB past another RB and clip the last RB on Biafra, then up to anchors. Good way to get the gear on Biafra.

FA: Steve Hawkshaw, 2006

Start 3m left of B. Nice route or good warmup for the harder stuff in the cave. Stays dry in pouring rain. 5 RB to Lower Offs.

FA: Jason Lammers & Steve Hawkshaw, 2006

To the right of Galvanise. Undercling to high reach then link RB back into top of Galvanise.

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