Calendar

Member Login

Username:

Password:

Request new password

Trip report

2006-11-18 Abseiling - Abseiling daytrip at Malaita Point 1 or 2
Trip report:

Malaita Point Abseiling


Abseils: Malaita 1 and 2


There are 2 sets of adjacent abseils at Malaita Point, just west of the Scenic Railway, Katoomba. We met at the Scenic Railway at 8.30am, where Jo gave a pre-trip risk review. We were briefed about the abseils, and a safety and gear check carried out. People were divided into 2 groups, and group equipment was distributed. Dave D and Dave T took the group to do Malaita 1, which is a good descent for abseilers new to the sport, as it has a number of smaller pitches plus some in the 30-40m range. Erika and Jo took the group to Malaita 2, which is suitable for more experienced abseilers, those requiring practice selecting and checking anchors, pulling down rigging (including pulling the knot over ledges) group control and safety.

Malaita 1


David T led this descent well. The tracks to the site are well defined, but some of the bolt & chain placements are poorly thought out and installed.

First pitch - This pitch is around 30 metres in length. The anchor point consists of chains going into 3 bolts, the bolts seem to be placed on a bolder not into bedrock - however the point seems solid.

Second Pitch - Care needs to be taken at the second pitch to ensure that you abseil down the correct side of the nose of the pitch. The side closest to Scenic World is a large drop (50+ metres) whereas the actual pitch is around 20 metres straight ahead from the bolts.

Third Pitch - This is one of the longer pitches, at around the 45m mark. A single 100-metre rope doubled does this nicely. Chains into 3 bolts provide an anchor point. Around the corner from the bottom of this pitch there is a nice ledge that makes for a great lunch spot. We stopped here for morning tea. It is also possible to continue around further, and get to the bottom of the second abseil of Malaita 2.

NB. Between the Third pitch and the forth pitch a small down climb is encountered. This can require a 20-30 metre hand line. In our case we rigged it so it was possible to abseil it if needed. There was a choice of anchor points available, including trees and another lot of bolts, way back at the bottom of the third pitch.

Forth pitch – This Is around 20 metres and drops down between two rocks in a chimney style.

Fifth pitch - This is another longer pitch of around 45-50 metres. Nice easy start with small ledge halfway down.

Malaita 2


Jo and Erika led the trip. Jo supervised everyone abseiling, Erika supervised rigging. Ros and Mark rigged. The tracks to the site are well defined, and the anchors were in reasonable locations. Safety lines were required in most places.

First Pitch – Mark and Ros checked the anchor which was a chain bolted to the rock, with multiple tapes threaded through the chains and around a bollard. Worn and UV effected tapes were removed. This abseil is around 45m down to a small ledge with a couple of trees which were used to rig a safety line. The start was quite exposed with the first abseiler having to ensure they land on the ledge as the ropes naturally hang past it. The last person has a difficult task pulling the knot past the top ledge.

Second Pitch – There were 2 bolts in the wall connected by a chain, which was suitable as the second anchor. This was about a 15m pitch, landing on quite a large ledge extending around to Malaita 1. Dave D visited to see how everyone was going. There is a track through the vegetation descending approx 10m to the next pitch.

Third Pitch – The anchor is an 11mm rope attached to two trees, of approx 150 mm diameter, about 4-5m up the hill. Tapes were around this rope and other trees. The whole rig needed to be checked. The pitch was about 35m, with an overhang, and landing on a small ledge. While still attached, the abseiler can then move to safety by moving East where a large area exists, with places for safety lines.

Fourth Pitch – The anchor is around a large tree about 3m from the edge, and there is a gentle slope to the abseil. The pitch was about 30m (just). A short walk West takes you to the final pitch.

Fifth Pitch – The anchor consists of two bolts joined by a chain. This pitch is about 55m in total, but is really done in 2 parts. A ledge lies about 8m below the anchor. It is very difficult to throw the rope over this ledge, so the first abseiler must untangle the ropes, recoil them and throw them over again, then continue. The base of the abseil is about 5m above a scramble, so it easier to stay attached and abseil to the path.

Both groups met on the path and proceeded either by way of the Scenic Railway or via the stairs back to the car park. Those who took the stairs enjoyed their ice cream knowing they had saved $8.00.

Report by: Jo