Big Wall (a.k.a. Bluff Bastion)

General Information:

Multi pitch sport climbs in a stunning situation, especially when a big swell is running.

A word of warning:

This wall contains many loose blocks, although most routes (particlarly those in the higher grades) are on relatively solid rock. It should therefore only be approached by a competant party. If there are any signs of other parties already on the wall extreme caution should be taken when abseiling in. Please do not attempt to clean the blocks off this wall, there's too many, it's too dangerous, and it could seriously alter the character of many of the routes as falling blocks smash into them.

Please also note that, other than jumaring up a fixed line or swimming around into Sea Gully (neither of which are particularly desirable), the routes described are the only means of escape once you've abseiled in. If you have any doubts of your ability to safely climb the routes please do not attempt to climb on the wall.

Routes:

Routes 1-2 are approached by a short abseil from the station located on the left hand side of the wall (looking at the wall).
Routes 3-11 are approached by a 55m abseil from the station located on the left hand side of the wall (looking at the wall) to a large sloping platform about 5.0m above sea level.
Routes 12-14 are approached by a 55m abseil from the station located on the right hand side of the wall (looking at the wall) to a small flat platform just above sea level. It is possible to abseil directly to a hanging stance (about 5.0m above sea level) to the left of this platform to start route 12. This has the advantage of avoiding rope drag on the first pitch.

1 - Round About Midnight - F7a+

Climb the arête and face, with a hard start to the thin face climb.
F.A. Danny Ng (1995)

2 - Bitter Dose - F6a

The easy way back to the top of the wall from the left hand abseil. Climb the easy groove on suprisingly good rock.
F.A. Danny Ng (1995)

3 - Sea Weed Slab ** - F6a

High and low tide starts to this climb are available depending on the condition of the sea. To get the full grade use the lower start and climb the wall at the left hand end of the large ledge.
F.A. Danny Ng (1994)

4 - Sea Weed Arete - F6b+

Climb the overhanging wall and arete at the left edge of the large sloping ledge.
F.A. Terry Ng (1994)

5 - Don’t Cry Babe - F6a+

Climb the short overhanging crack on the wall at the back of the large lower ledge.
F.A. Danny Ng (1994)

6 - Mac the Knife ** - F6a+

A delightful pitch up the prominent arete above Don’t Cry Babe. Either climb this pitch to start or abseil to belay bolts just below the base of the arete.
Start up the face left of the arete until tricky moves through a small overlap lead back right to the arete proper. Follow this to a belay on a small ledge at its top.
F.A. Danny Ng (1994)

7 - Stoned Cold Sober ** - F6b+

Another superb pitch, this time up the soaring corner line right of the arete.
A slightly overhanging start leads to superb bridging up the corner above.
F.A. Stuart Sharpless (1997) - on gear,

8 - Destination Moon - F6c

Start a few metres right of the corner and climb the crack up the back wall before making a hard move right to exit the crack at the upper terrace.
Danny Ng (1997)

9 - Its Not Unusual - F6c

Start at belay bolts lower on the wall facing into the cave. Climb the wall above past some loose blocks to reach a slab. From the slab step left towards some undercuts and join Destination Moon near its end. Finish as for this.
F.A. Danny Ng (1997)

10 - Strangers in the Night * - F7b+

Start on the steep slab on the left hand side of the cave. Climb a short way up the corner, directly above the left side of the cave, before making a short rightwards traverse beneath a small roof. Climb through the roof and continue directly up the wall, passing through two more small roofs until reaching a short steep headwall. Move left on sloping holds onto the headwall before making hard moves to the top of the crag (crux).
F.A. Danny Ng (1995)

11 - Vaspering ** - F7b

Pitch 1(F6c): Follow Strangers in the Night to where it moves through the first overlap. From here continue traversing right, beneath the roofs, to a hanging belay directly above the roof of the cave.
Pitch 2 (F7b): Climb up a slightly right to good side pulls on the right side of an overhang. Make hard moves up and left through the roof (crux) before continuing up the thin crack above. When the crack thins out, make delicate moves rightwards to another thin crack. Belay on the small ledge.
Pitch 3: Follow a rambling line up the vegetated chossy wall above.
F.A. Andy Vasper (1993)

12 - Call of the Wild *** - F7a+

Undoubtably the best line on the crag which, when combined with the final pitches of Vaspering, gives a superb and sustained outing.
Pitch 1: Start from the platform on the right hand side of the crag or a hanging belay just up and left of this which helps avoid rope drag. From the hanging belay, step left onto the slab and traverse diagonally left towards a small hanging slab. Pull onto this and climb up to the roof above. Traverse left above the lip of the cave and make hard moves into the obvious corner system. Follow this to its top and swing left to a hanging stance on the slab. Finish as for Route 11.
F.A. Danny Ng (1997)

13 - That Old Feeling ** - F7a

Pitch 1 (F7a): Start from the platform on the right hand side of the crag. Make a short horizontal traverse left until a thin crackline leads directly up the wall. Climb this until just above a series of roofs, to the left. Head left, just above the roofs and not moving too high onto the loose blocky wall above. Move onto a hanging pillar and climb this to a belay stance at its crest.
Pitch 2 (F6b): Follow a rambling, leftwards trending line up the blocky wall above.
F.A. Danny Ng (1997)

14 - I Look Good ** - F7b

Start as for That Old Feeling but instead of following the thin arete crack carry on left and up through the roof on good jugs to a belay in the groove above.
F.A. Danny Ng (1998)

15 - Silent Treatment - F6a

Pitch 1 (F6a): From the right side of the platform climb up the wall towards a slightly vegetated corner. Follow this and belay on top of the block.
Pitch 2 (F6a): Climb directly up the wall above, being cautious of loose blocks.
F.A. Danny Ng (1999)