Trip Date: January 14, 2019
2019 TASMANIA ADVENTURE VACATION
Dove Canyon Exploration Loop
Change Rock
Abseil Rock
Dove Canyon (Dove River channel)
Freestyle Falls
Teacup Falls
The Laundry Chute
Trip Report Summary
Region: Tasmania (Australia)
Sub-Region: Northwestern Tasmania
Area: Cradle Mountain – Lake St. Clair National Park
Starting & Ending Point: Dove Canyon Trailhead on Cradle Mountain Road
Way Points: Quailes Hill Trail junction & Change Rock & Abseil Rock (trail hike & rock scramble); Freestyle Falls & Teacup Falls & The Laundry Chute (rappel & swim & jump & slide); return via West-Side Ledges (trail hike & rock scramble)
Invert: Dove Canyon (top-down traverse of middle segment)
Guiding Service & Guides: Cradle Mountain Canyons / Urs & Caitlin
Approximate Stats: 1.6 miles / 2.6 kilometers traveled; 500 feet / 150 meters lost & gained; 6 hours elapsed.
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Full Trip Report
Eileen, Brooke, Callum, and I kicked off our Tasmania adventure vacation with a one-day guided exploration of Dove Canyon, a steep and narrow slot that cuts through a hard quartzite deposit in Cradle Mountain – Lake St. Clair National Park. We signed up with the local outfitter, Cradle Mountain Canyons (CMC), to lead the trip. Among experienced canyoneers, Dove Canyon would likely be considered moderate and fun; for our inexperienced group, it was challenging, thrilling, and at times a little frightening—but mostly fun.
Our group of eight clients met our two guides, Urs and Caitlin, at their office near the Cradle Mountain Visitors Center. They got us suited up with full wetsuits, helmets, booties, flotation vests, harnesses, and dry-bag packs, then drove us up-valley to the Dove Canyon Trailhead.
We hiked a long mile up a buttongrass slope toward Quailes Hill and down to a rock outcrop, which our guides called “Change Rock.” Here, we changed into our wetsuits and other gear before hiking and scrambling down a steep path toward the canyon.
- Canyoneering Group At Starting Platform (photo by CMC)
Upon coming to another rock outcrop (“Abseil Rock”) situated 35 feet above the canyon invert, we did exactly what you would expect: we all rappelled over the outcrop and into a pool of cold, amber-colored water below. I had been cursing my stuffy wetsuit during the hot hike down, but now I was very glad to have it.
- Jim Rappelling Into Canyon Invert (photo by CMC)
Over the next several hours, we worked our way down the canyon invert by means of multiple techniques: wading, floating, swimming, crawling, scrambling, sliding, jumping, and rappelling. It was the jumping that really got everybody’s attention. We made three or four jumps over waterfall cliffs ranging from 10 to 20 feet high, with names such as Freestyle Falls and Teacup Falls.
- Eileen Jumping Over Waterfall (photo by CMC)
Because I’ve spent my entire climbing life trying very hard not to fall, the 20-foot jump was a super adrenaline rush for me—and, apparently, for most of our group.
At one 15-foot cliff, Callum and a few others had mixed success doing flips. By saying “mixed,” I mean that there was at least one bellyflop.
During our descent, there were also a couple locations where we had to slide over a cliff without seeing the bottom. In our guides we trusted!
- Callum At Top Of Waterslide (photo by CMC)
The one feature that everyone found to be really thrilling and totally fun was a long waterslide called “The Laundry Chute.” It truly did feel as though you were plummeting wildly down a dark laundry chute!
- Brooke Sliding Down The Laundry Chute (photo by CMC)
About two-thirds of our way down the canyon, Urs and Caitlin had us stop for lunch. They laid out a spread of tortillas and fillings that they’d carried in a dry bag.
After lunch, we continued working our way down past a few more obstacles, including another rappel cliff. Near the end of our tour, Urs showed us one final—but optional—cliff jump. I had concerns about barfing up my lunch at the top of this 15-footer, so I opted out. However, nearly everyone else eagerly accepted the challenge and came away grinning.
Soon, we arrived at our take-out point, a wide pool in the canyon. Urs and Caitlin took some “canyon survivor” photos here. Dry ground looked pretty good to me.
- Jim & Eileen & Brooke & Cal At Bottom Of Canyon (photo by CMC)
Our guides then led us back up a ledgey path to Change Rock. What ensued at the rock was a comical scene in which we all tried to struggle out of our wetsuits. This process took many minutes and much assistance from a buddy. I wondered how James Bond always managed to slip out of his wetsuit so quickly and gracefully—while wearing a tuxedo underneath!
By mid-afternoon, we were back at the trailhead and ready to head down-valley. It had been an exciting way to kick off our vacation, but I hoped that there would be very little jumping and falling for the next three weeks.
Route Map
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Photo Gallery by CMC Guides
Click to enlarge…
