Thunderstorm Canyon - track notes

Entry

Thunderstorm Canyon is most obviously done from the Mt Cameron Track. However, it is probably an easier and more worthwhile day to do it from Closet Canyon, on the other side of Rocky Creek.

From the junction of Closet Canyon and Rocky Creek, head downstream for 200m to the next creek on the right, which is the creek with Thunderstorm in it. Climb the point to the south. There is a tape near the bottom to get up the first bit. The rest has the odd tricky bit, but it is not particularly exposed until the last pitch, which is very exposed. Head up to the next cliffline, and along to the left under the cliffs. Watch the gullies on your side and the other side and drop down to the creek at AGD500162. The first abseil is only a short distance downstream.

Notes

The main abseil is 40m. The pulldown can be difficult, and it is possible for the last person to rerig at a lower tree. Then there is a short abseil or climb down. The canyon opens out and it is an easy walk back to the Rocky Creek junction.

Exit

As for Closet Canyon.

Comments

Thunderstorm is a nice creek, but not much of a canyon. The main abseil is pretty much it. Downstream of the abseil it is pleasant in the same way that most of Rocky Creek is pleasant, but not really a canyon.

You would be quite annoyed doing it by itself from the Mt Cameron Track. You can walk all the way up to the main abseil from Rocky Creek, so you can see almost all of the "canyon".

The climbing to get to the start is quite exposed, and options for protection are very limited. I suggest that you have a head for heights and be a competent climber.

Rating: 2/5

Time

About 2h return from Rocky Creek. This included some time trying to extricate a jammed rope.

Tom Brennan : website@ozultimate.com: updated 20050315