CHRIS BROWN DISCOVERS SYDNEY S SECRET CANYONS

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1 CHRIS BROWN DISCOVERS SYDNEY S SECRET CANYONS Just a couple of hours from Sydney city centre, the Blue Mountains are home to spectacular slot canyons that have been eroded over millions of years into the magical formations that stand today. With the expert guidance of adventure photographer, Jake Anderson, and Blue Mountains Adventure Company guide, Hugh Ward Chris Brown goes on a new kind of photo challenge that satisfies his inner thrill seeker and shutterbug alike. Unlike traditional canyoning, there is time to stop, take photos and find out some of Jake s tips of the trade on how to get a great nature shot.

2 THE BLUE MOUNTAINS The Blue Mountains region is one of the most iconic and beautiful areas of New South Wales. One million hectares of national park and wilderness, it is a recognised World Heritage site with towering mountains and deep valley troughs that have been eroded over millions of years. Much of the 10,000km 2 Greater Blue Mountains region is covered by temperate eucalypt forest, which makes up one of the largest and most complete areas of protected bush-land in Australia. As well as eucalyptus, there is ancient flora such as the recently discovered Wollemi pine, a living fossil that dates back to the age of the dinosaurs. Over 400 species of animal call the region home, including rare or endangered species such as the koala, the spotted-tail quoll and the long-nosed potoroo. Breath-taking views can be found at popular lookouts such as Wentworth Falls, Govetts Leap and Echo Point, or the less well known Sublime Point, Narrow Neck and Cahills

3 Lookout. Scenic World offers rides on the Scenic Railway to explore the Jamison Valley or the Scenic Skyline high above the canyon for beautiful views of the Three Sisters. The Three Sisters are three sandstone peaks in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and are one of the most iconic sights in the region. The weathered formations have been formed by gradual erosion over thousands of years. The highest point of the Blue Mountains is Mount Werong, which stands 3,985 feet above sea level. The Three Sisters are located close to the pinnacle, at over 3,000 feet above sea level. As well as spectacular scenery, the region boasts fine dining, luxury accommodation, picturesque villages and buzzing festivals. Popular activities include bushwalking, climbing, abseiling, canyoning and caving. The Glow Worm Tunnel, a disused railway tunnel that twinkles with bioluminescent larvae, and the labyrinthine Jenolan Caves are sights within the region not to be missed. The Blue Mountains are easily accessible from Sydney just a 90-minute drive away or a 2- hour train. If you re thinking of visiting, read more here: visitnsw.com/destinations/blue-mountains environment.nsw.gov.au

4 SLOT CANYONS IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS The Blue Mountains region an ancient sedimentary plateau with deep gorges caused by millions of years of river erosion is home to numerous sandstone slot canyons. Slot canyons are deep, narrow and twisting channels with solid rock on either side. Found all over the World, they stand in stark contrast to their famously wide, spacious relatives such as the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Slot canyons are particularly common in Australia due to the combination of soft, sandstone rock and extreme climate; the perfect canyon-forming conditions. They start out simply as a ground-level crack in the rock. In the event of a flash flood, water seeps into the rock bringing small rocks, sediment and debris that gradually carve away the inside of the crack. If this happens repeatedly, over millions of years that crack opens up

5 into a deep, winding gorge in the earth, with a narrow path and sheer sides. Sandstone is the most susceptible to these conditions, but slot canyons can also form in limestone, granite, basalt and other types of rock. Once formed, these otherworldly environments and the challenges they pose from abseiling to rock-climbing, shimmying through narrow sections to jumping into icy cold pools of water make canyoning a popular activity to the adventurous at heart. Careful planning and a knowledgeable guide are essential, as flash floods and extreme conditions can make these canyons as dangerous as they are beautiful. ABOUT JAKE ANDERSON It s comes as no surprise that Jake Anderson is an adventurer at heart. Growing up amongst the incredible scenery of the Blue Mountains, there was endless scope for adventure in his own backyard.

6 Today a successful nature photographer, Jake knows what it takes to get that perfect shot. His goal is to spark people s interest in the wilderness and to educate others about the increasing need to preserve the world we live in. Jake first saw a photograph taken from inside a canyon on the front cover of an edition of the National Geographic. Since that moment, he knew he wanted to photograph canyons too. Yet in slot canyons forgotten by time and forsaken by light, capturing these stunning images doesn t come easy. Shooting in canyons can be a love/ hate relationship, Jake says. You re usually battling cold water, mist, low light and even intense sunlight. Sometimes you re hanging off the side of a waterfall or a cliff so you can start to see why it can be very difficult. Despite these challenges, the images are undoubtedly worth the hard graft to get them. Some of Jake's photos have appeared in publications including The Australian Geographic, The Australian and Australian Photography Magazine. To see some of Jake s work, visit: jakeanderson.com.au

7 ABOUT HUGH WARD & BLUE MOUNTAINS ADVENTURE COMPANY Although Hugh Ward was from a family of climbers, in the early years of his life he was much more excited by bushwalking. Then at the age of 19, he went climbing in the Wolgan Valley and became completely enamoured by the adventure. The pursuit of this passion has taken Hugh across Australia and around the world. He has climbed Denali in Alaska, the Alps of New Zealand, Kilimanjaro in Africa, the Dolomites in Italy not to mention climbing extensively across the mountains of Australia. Now Operations Manager at the Blue Mountains Adventure Company (BMAC), he frequently leads expeditions into the great outdoors. From canyoning to climbing, abseiling to hiking, BMAC organises excursions to suit any ability with professional, qualified and local guides.

8 Canyoning is the perfect summer adventure and often involves fun water jumps, abseiling through waterfalls and exhilarating water slides. Rock-climbing is all about balance, concentration and self-confidence; BMAC offers rockclimbing tours in stunning locations such as Mt York, Mt Piddington, Zig Zag, Narrowneck and the Wolgan Valley. Abseiling isn t just about the thrill, but also lends itself to a variety of applications and is a great skill to learn. Hiking through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area comes complete with spectacular lookouts, stunning scenery and the expert local and environmental knowledge of your BMAC guide. Located on Bathurst Road in the centre of Katoomba, most trips start at the company s offices before setting out into the national parkland surrounding the area. On all ¾ or full day adventures, a delicious lunch is provided. For hiking trips, prices start from $595 for a group of 25 people. Prices start from $185 for abseiling and $275 for climbing and canyoning adventures. For more information, visit: bmac.com.au

9 SAFETY WHEN CANYONING Caves, canyons and cliff faces are spectacular places to visit, and adventure sports like climbing, caving, canyoning and abseiling offer a thrilling opportunity to explore these unique environments. These adventure sports, however, involve inherent risks that should be taken seriously. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) strongly recommend that you only head out under the guidance of a suitable group or club, or with one of our partner adventure sports tour operators. Key things to remember: 1. Make yourself familiar with emergency procedures and park closures In an emergency, dial 000 or activate an emergency beacon from a suitable location.

10 Check the NPWS alerts page for current closures (due to bushfires, pest control operations, infrastructure maintenance, etc.). 2. Never go alone The ideal safe group size is 4 people. Only participate in activities for which all members of your group have the skills and experience to participate. Only participate if your leader has sufficient experience; not only to get you there but also to get you out of the park safely in an emergency. It is recommended that you always head out with a trained and licensed NPWS tour operator. Know the proposed route and stick to it. Leave details of your group, route and expected return time with a responsible person who knows who to contact and what details to provide if you are overdue. 3. Plan ahead Bring food, water, safety gear, first aid supplies, maps, navigation equipment, sunscreen and clothing for all contingencies. Avoid canyoning after heavy rain or if it is forecast. Unexpected dangerous conditions arise during elevated water flows after heavy rain. Please check the Bureau of Meteorology website before setting out: bom.gov.au/nsw In wet environments, hypothermia can be a real hazard be sure to take wetsuits and dry warm clothes. Avoid peak use times in well-known canyons if possible, as overcrowding can cause delays and safety problems. For full information, visit: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/adventure-sports-safety

11 WEBLINKS Blue Mountains visitnsw.com/destinations/blue-mountains environment.nsw.gov.au environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/blue-mountains Slot canyons Blue Mountains smithsonianmag.com/travel/most-beautiful-slot-canyons bbc.com/travel/story/ australias-remote-slot-canyons ozultimate.com/canyoning Jake Anderson jakeanderson.com.au Hugh Ward & Blue Mountains Adventure Company bmac.com.au climbingschool.com.au/team/hugh-ward Canyoning safety nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/adventure-sports-safety