Mt Arapiles Rock Climbing Trip to Western Victoria

Since 2014 we have been taking enthusiastic groups of students to Mt Arapiles for an extension of rock-climbing skills, practice, and culture. From the moment we arrived at the campground late at night, the energy was already building with the buzz of what was in store. On the early days of the trip, students spent setting up their climbs as top-ropes so that we could all have some climbs and get used to the rock and the use of nuts, hexes, cams, and cordelletes. In the coming days, we were able to do more multi-pitch climbs of 2 or 3 pitches and up to 80 meters off the ground. The highlight for many was the famed Agamemnon, a classic 2-pitch chimney climb with an airy finish resulting in a starfish-like pose with some 35 meters of fresh air underneath you! We were lucky enough to have much of the weather on our side with a few warm days and very little rain until our early departure on the bus from Ballarat. 

Another highlight was the multi-pitch adventure up onto Preludes Wall where we were unfortunately benighted with our dinner and bedding before an early morning abseil from the cave the next day.

Many thanks to the 8 students who made the effort to come and train their bodies during senior/ advanced rock climbing ex-activity to help make their experience more rewarding and beneficial.

~ Dave Atkins

Head of Outdoor Education