Events

The WVCC May base camp will be climbing in the Cathedral Ranges and camping at Cooks Mill, 10 km or so south of Taggerty. We have one site for 6 people (3 cars max) booked at Cooks Mill for Friday and Saturday night.  The rock is sandstone, with a mix of trad and sport routes, both single and multi-pitch. If you are leading, bring your full rack (nuts and a full set of cams) and rope. Everyone will need boots, helmet, harness, a belay device and a few locking gate carabiners. All intending participants must contact the trip coordinator, Ollie Sherlock, prior to the trip to let him know you are coming, your level of experience and whether you need a climbing partner - and to sort out any questions (0409 155 106 AH; or email ollie.sherlock@rbg.vic.gov.au). Tickets (i.e. registration on tidyHQ) have been limited to six. If the system won't let you book, then we have already filled our quota of 6 "tickets" and you will need to book an additional site. Please call Ollie before you do this, to see if there are other members wanting to share the extra site. You will need to bring all the necessaries if you are planning on camping the night. camping gear - tent, mattress, sleeping bag, head torch, stove, pots, etc food and water suitable clothing - check the weather forecast (bring sunscreen and a hat) You can find more detals on camping at Cooks Mill at the Vic Parks website here.

For the WVCC June base camp, we will be climbing at Mt Kooyoora and camping at Melville Caves camping area over the long weekend from Friday 5th to Monday 8th June. Camping is free, but you are advised to turn up early as it is first in-first served and it is a long weekend. If you haven't climbed at Mt Kooyoora, then the rock is granite and the climbing is on granite tors and craglets with a mix of trad, bolts and bouldering. A 30 m rope will get you up (and possibly down) most climbs. Depending on your preference, you could bring a full rack (nuts and a full set of cams), or a bouldering pad. You will need helmet, harness and boots. All intending participants must contact the trip coordinator, Sam North,  prior to the trip to let him know you are coming, your level of experience and whether you need a climbing partner - and if you have any questions (0417 138 163; or email samuel.hs.north@gmail.com) You will need to bring all the necessaries for outdoor camping for the weekend. camping gear food and water suitable clothing - check the weather forecast a few days prior.

The WVCC August base camp will be in the Grampians on the weekend of the 8 and 9 August. We will be staying at Roses Gap Recreation Centre (https://www.rosesgap.com.au/). You have the option of either camping, staying in a shared bunkhouse cabin, or staying in a 1-2 bedroom ensuite cabin. Prices are below: Unpowered Site $50 per night Powered Site $65 per night Bunkhouse Cabin $95 per night 1 Bdrm Ensuite Cabin $130 per night 2 Bdrm Ensuite Cabin $160 per night You will need to bring your own bedding/towels/toiletries for the cabins. There is an outdoor shelter in the middle of the camp area for communal outdoor cooking which has tables/chairs. There is a communal fire pit in the middle of the camp, and firewood is available for a small fee - or you bring your own. If you haven't climbed in the Grampians, then the rock is sandstone. Climbing is mainly trad, but there are also a number of sport climbing areas. Climbing in the Grampians is subject to restrictions and some areas are currently closed. You can find more information and maps of the areas open to climbing at https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/grampians-national-park/rock-climbing-in-gariwerd. You will need a full rack (slings, draws, nuts and cams) if you plan on leading. Otherwise, a helmet, harness and boots will suffice. All intending participants must contact the trip coordinator, Marc Graesser,  BEFORE 1 AUGUST so we can confirm numbers for booking and paying. Please call or text Marc on 0439 789 073; or email wvcc.climbing@gmail.com; or use the WVCC WhatsApp group chat. All bookings and payments need to come through as a group (no individual bookings).

The WVCC September base camp will be run from our campsite in the Chinama's Campground at the western end of Mt Cole State Park from Friday evening 11 September to late-afternoon on Sunday 13 September 2026. Camping is free, but you are advised to turn up early as it is first in-first served. There are toilets and a covered eating area, but no showers. If you haven't climbed at Mt Cole, then 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, the climbing is on a large slab that requires three 50m abseils 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. At Ben Nevis, the climbs are multi-pitch, with a  mix of trad and bolts. If you are leading, you will need a 50-60m rope, as well as a full rack. 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. All intending participants must contact the trip coordinator, Sam North,  prior to the trip to confirm your intentions and experience - and to ask questions if you are unsure of arrangements (0417 138 153) You will need to bring all the necessaries for outdoor camping if you are coing for the weekend. camping gear food and water suitable clothing - check the weather forecast a few days prior.

The WVCC October base camp will be a week-long event, starting 26 September, run from our usual campsite in the Upper Gums at Mt Arapiles campground. If you have climbed at Mt Arapiles, then it doesn't need any introduction. If you haven't climbed at Mt Arapiles, then the climbing is mostly trad, both single and multi-pitch. Bring your boots, harness, helmet, a belay device, some slings and a couple of locking carabiners. If you are leading, then bring your rack (nuts and a full set of cams) and a rope.  The decisions about where we climb for the day will be made each morning over breakfast and a cup of tea/coffee, and will depend on the wishes and experience of those present and the weather. Anyone looking for someone to climb with can sort that out with the group at this time. All intending participants must contact the trip coordinator, Marc Graesser,  prior to the trip to let him know you are coming, your level of experience and whether you need a climbing partner - and if you have any questions (0439 789 073) You will need to bring all the necessaries for outdoor living for the week. climbing gear camping gear food and water suitable clothing - check the weather forecast a few days prior Food resupply can be had in Natimuk, or a longer trip into Horsham. You can find more detals on camping at Mt Arapiles at Camping in Mount Aarapiles-Tooan State Park There are areas of significant aboriginal cultural interest in Arapiles-Tooan Ntional Park. Information on areas that are closed for climbing in the park can be foound at Arapiles-Tooan State Park Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Protections

The WVCC November base camp will be climbing in the central Grampians and camping at Borough Huts, 10 km or so south of Halls Gap. The rock is sandstone and trad, with both single and multi-pitch routes. This is not a good place for beginners, though we can be flexible to suit the group. You should be climbing trad grade 14 at least to get some value out of this weekend. Bring your rope and a full rack (nuts and a full set of cams) if you are leading. All intending participants must contact the trip coordinator, Tim Billington, prior to the trip to let him know you are coming, your level of experience and whether you need a climbing partner - and if you have any questions (0438 118 103 AH) You will need to bring all the necessaries if you are planning on camping the night. camping gear - tent, mattress, sleeping bag, head torch, stove, pots, etc food and water suitable clothing - check the weather forecast (bring sunscreen and a hat) You can find more detals on camping at Borough Huts at the Parks website here. Please note there are conditions to rock climbing in Grampians/Gariwerd National Park, including: Rock climbing can only occur in designated areas. Climbers are required to minimise the use of chalk and only use chalk coloured to match the rock surface. Adhere to signs and notifications and do not enter closed areas. Find more information at Rock climbing in Gariwerd, and the Rock Climbing Visitors Guide for currently open climbing areas. 

The WVCC December base camp will be run from our campsite in the Leanganook camping area on Mt Alexander from Friday evening 11 December to mid-afternoon Sunday 13 December 2026. Camping is free, but you are advised to turn up early as it is first in-first served. There are toilets, but no showers. There is a swimming at The Castelmaine Reservoir, 10 km away, so bring your swimmers and a towel. We will run our Mt Alex Climbing Competition on the Saturday (judged on dress sense; climbing ettiqutte, and climbing safety) and will hold our AGM on the Saturday night, with drinks and a communal BBQ.   If you haven't climbed at Mt Alexander, then the rock is granite, and the climbing is on granite tors and craglets with a mix of trad, bolts and bouldering. A 30 m rope will get you up (and possibly down) most climbs. Depending on your preference, you could bring a full rack (nuts and a full set of cams), or a bouldering pad. You will need helmet, harness and boots. All intending participants must contact the trip coordinator, Sam North,  prior to the trip so we know numbers for catering and for organising our climbing - and if you have any questions (0417 138 163; or email samuel.hs.north@gmail.com) You will need to bring all the necessaries for outdoor camping for the weekend. camping gear food and water suitable clothing - check the weather forecast a few days prior.