Your Bio

The Victorian Climbing Club was formed in 1952 and incorporated in 1985. The aim of the club is to promote the sport of climbing.

Besides it being an opportunity for people who share a love of climbing and wild places to get together, climb and share their knowledge to those new to the sport, the VCC most importantly, takes the lead when it comes to taking care of the environment in which we climb. An important aspect of maintaining access.

Since 1998, we have employed Australias first professional Access and Environment Officer who works in three ways:
1. Education - promoting 'low impact' climbing
2. Advocacy - negotiating with land managers to maintain access and re-open popular cliffs
3. Protection - organizing work parties and raising money to preserve the cliff environment

Establishing a special Cliffcare Fund allows us to raise money to continue the valuable work we do preserving the cliff environment where you love to climb.

I hope this site gives you an insight into the work we have done. Of damaged areas that require help, future projects and especially, a sense of the camaderie that exists within our close but often fragmented community. For more information, please visit http://www.vicclimb.org.au

Thanks, and Safe climbing to All,

Tracey Skinner
VCC Access and Environment Officer

Featured Galleries

Cathedral Ranges Post fires inspection 11/11/09 : On the 11th November 09, Glenn Tempest and myself visited the Cathedral Ranges to meet with one of the Rangers and to assess the area in terms of climber access, especially for the Nth Jawbone area.  A 35 degree day made sure it was hard work and although we wanted to visit more areas, the heat and time involved was prohibitive.  What you see here are a selection of photos taken of the areas we did vist.  From taking first pictures of the Jawbones and Cerberus road, we head up to the The Sugarloaf and Sugarloaf saddle area. The fire has probably burnt the hottest here on the Sugarloaf side and there is every likelihood that this may stay closed a little longer than other areas - due to the fact that it receives a huge amount of traffic being a group climbing area.  We didn't check out the track itself as we had the Nth Jawbone planned but from what we could see, it's not in a good state.  Onto the Nth Jawbone which is a very popular cliff.  As you will see from the photos, the fire burned progressively hotter as it got near the cliff.  Main walking track has been cleared and is in quite good condition.  When you leave the track to access the climbers pad to the base, it's another matter though.  Always steep and showing signs of erosion then, it is now completely loose and will not handle any traffic.  A definite realignment will be required.  Base of the cliff is burnt and quite a lot of rubble where rock has exploded lower down.  We didn't climb the cliff face but except for some of the lower rock, it doesn't look like the fire has impacted it too much.  Right end of the Nth Jawbone around Bathtime Gurgles is very loose and the previously used descent track is now non existent.  A new pad will need to be established. From a brief assess of the area, it looks very possible to descend via the gully.  This might make the walk a little longer but time wise maybe the same, as the gully is much more stable,with little fire impact. Access to this would be further back on the summit, walking out to the saddle and then down.
I will be continuing discussions with Parks Victoria regarding climbers pads and realignment of them. At some point, I am sure we will need some volunteers to help with marking and maybe some stabilising.  Keep up to date via here and cliffcare page on our website www.vicclimb.org.au

AT A GLANCE

Parks Victoria projected opening of Christmas for some areas of the park
Climbers pads should be realigned.

Cathedral Ranges Post fires inspection 11/11/09

On the 11th November 09, Glenn Tempest and myself visited the Cathedra ...

Updated: Nov 16, 2009 11:18pm PST

Mt Arapiles, VCC Trip Cup Weekend 2009 :

Mt Arapiles, VCC Trip Cup Weekend 2009

Updated: Nov 11, 2009 12:33am PST

VCC Freycinet, Tasmania trip Feb 09 :

VCC Freycinet, Tasmania trip Feb 09

Updated: Feb 20, 2009 7:56pm PST

Mt Stapylton Amphitheatre, VCC Trip 24/10/2009 :

Mt Stapylton Amphitheatre, VCC Trip 24/10/2009

Updated: Oct 27, 2009 1:04am PST

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Gallery Categories

Sports

27 galleries with 1226 photos

Updated: Nov 23, 2009 7:09pm

Access & Environment at Climbing Areas

13 galleries with 449 photos

Updated: Nov 17, 2009 6:18pm