The Western Victorian Climbing Club (WVCC) and VCC are joining for a March long weekend base camp. WVCC will be hosting the trip with climbing at Mt Cole, Red Rock and Ben Nevis.

Climbing:
If you haven’t climbed in Mt Cole, the rock is granite. On the top of the mount along the main forest road, the climbing is on granite tors and craglets with a mix of trad, bolts and bouldering. At Red Rock and Ben Nevis, the climbing is on large slabs/faces that require three 50m abseils in to get to the bottom of the cliff. This is not a place for novices as you need to be able to pass a knot on abseil, as well as be able to climb a rope using prussiks.

See Chockstone for more information.

You will need a 50-60m rope as well as a full rack and prussiks. The slabs are bolt protected but the bolts are ‘carrots’ and require hangers, and are well spaced (10m), so you need to be comfortable with long runouts. You will need helmet, harness and boots.

Bookings: The event has been uploaded to the VCC Portal. VCC members can book into the trip by using this link and logging into the VCC Members Portal: Here are the details and a booking page for members –https://vicclimb.tidyhq.com/schedule/events/51366-8-10-march-mt-cole-red-rock-and-ben-nevis-long-weekend-wvcc-vcc-joint-trip#event_info. Only one member per booking please. Email the VCC Trip Organiser, Glen Donohue, if you are not a member and want to attend the trip as a guest.

Camping: Details about the campsite are available on the event’s page within the VCC Portal. Camping is free but you are advised to turn up early as it is a long weekend and the camping is first in-first served. There are toilets and a covered eating area, but no showers.

All intending participants must contact the VCC Trip Organiser, Glen Donohue, prior to the trip to confirm your intentions and experience. Bookings close on Wednesday, 5 March. Please email Glen if you have any questions after reading the details on the event page.

Beginner places may be available but very limited.