The Freefall Area, Bouldering

BLDV

V0-V0 V0+V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V7 V9 V11 V13

Map

10 9 8 6 7 5 4

4 Trackside 5 Warm up area 6 Main Area 7 Benjamin Boulders 8 Monolith area 9 Up the hill 10 Back Door Area

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Seasonality

Summary

Great access, clean granite and a scenic setting. Generally powerful and varied climbing.

Description

Situated near Mt Cooke and Millar's, Mt Randall is home to unique granite bouldering on high quality rock. The boulder field is located in bushland reminiscent of the Cretaceous period and offers somewhat shaded conditions in a picturesque setting.

Mt Randall contains granite atypical for Perth – with many clean features, overhangs and cracks. Climbing varies to include thin slabs, powerful compression, overhangs and crack climbing. There are stellar problems throughout the grades, which are generally powerful and technical.

Landings are generally flat and easily protected.

Problems range from V0-V11, with some hard projects remaining.

Access issues

Located in a national park - respect the bushland and the rock!

Approach

20-30 min

To access Mt Randall take Albany Hwy 29km south of Armadale to an easy-to-miss firetrack on the left (32.338500 S, 116.223490 E). A good landmark is the Jarrahdale turn off which is about 4.5km before the firetrack. A car can be parked on the side of Albany Hwy for the hike-in as the track is not intended for driving.

The walk in from Albany Hwy is an easy trek on a well-defined track. Follow the firetrack for about 1.5km. You will pass a rocky outcrop at the peak of the hill – from here continue following the track for 300m until you reach a small clearing to the left from which you can see the main boulder-field (32.33388 S, 116.23362 E).

15-20min walk at good pace.

Ethic

Climbing is a privilege not a right – please respect the bushland and the rock. Where possible preserve the natural flora and keep to tracks to minimize impact. Clean tick marks and caked chalk with a good scrubbing. Although some older problems are chipped and glued this is no longer tolerated. No chipping or gluing.

History

History timeline chart

Mt Randall has been home to trad/sport climbing for many years - particularly at the large boulders at the summit (also where the DIY area is).

The "Freefall Area" was originally a minor area dismissed for having just a few routes (Freefall, Slashface...), though it was noted there was "lots of bouldering".

The bouldering is believed to have started in earnest around 2004 when Andy Lampard, Ben Flemming and Steve Holland made an attack on the boulders in the bush below the summit.

Steve Holland has been doing his circuit in this area for some years and has established the bulk of problems on the hill.