Due to Melbourne’s current Lockdown 5.0, this trip may be cancelled at the last minute. If this July EOM@Araps/Djurite goes ahead as planned, it is essential that all intending participants contact the leader prior to the trip, as well as read all of the documents referred to below. The rules when this Lockdown is eased may limit the numbers of members allowed to attend the trip.

Members cannot just ‘turn up’ on the weekend.

This trip could be subject to cancellation if the Public Health Advice changes at any time prior to the trip. 

Michael O’Reilly

VCC Trip Co-ordinator

Welcome back to our EOM@Araps/Djurite trips after our extended COVID break during 2020 and our two smaller lockdowns this year. The advice below applies to all future club trips post 2020.

A few important changes have been made to enable us to safely resume club trips. So please read the VCC COVID-19 Safety Plan and VCC Advice to Participants on Club Trips, Courses and Activities before signing up for this trip. The advice and guidelines have been published on our website:

VCC COVID-19 Safety Plan and resuming club activities – Victorian Climbing Club (vicclimb.org.au)

Mt Arapiles can provide some stunning, sunny climbing days in winter. When you look eastwards and see The Grampians covered in cloud, you really do get to appreciate Arapiles at its best. And the excellent friction in winter makes the famous Araps quartzite easier to smear on!

Enjoy climbing in full sun on some of the longer multi-pitch routes, single pitch outings on Central Gully Left or on the sunny side of Mitre Rock. Get up (reasonably) early and catch the warming rays on the nearby classics and well-worn trade routes in the Organ Pipes.  Maybe explore some new areas in The Northern Group. The famous walls and prominent buttresses of Arapiles really come into their own at this time of the year. In fine weather the longer climbs on the Watchtower Faces are a great day out.

We will be camping in The Pines, close to the action. There is no better rock to fondle than the hard quartzite of Arapiles, so contact your Trip Leader, Kevin Lindorff, to register your interest.

These EOM@Araps/Djurite trips are intended for all levels of climbers, however Beginner spaces will be limited by the number of experienced leaders who come along. It is recommended that Beginners contact the Trip Leader as soon as possible.

All intending participants must contact the trip leader prior to the trip. Please send through some details about your experience and climbing gear and hopefully we’ll see you there.

Photos: Trip Leader and VCC president Kevin Lindorff investing some time on his Arapiles project, India, and the Organ Pipes at sunrise.