Narrowneck Passes It is several decades since I had an argument with a “know all”” schoolboy about the number of passes on/off Narrowneck Peninsula. Thanks to Jim Barrett (Catholic Bushwalking Club) and his detailed researches, I can categorically state that I now know of 17 passes off Narrowneck – I believe that 6 of these are now severe rock climbs. Before your blood pressure gets too high I will list them in clockwise order. 1. Golden Stairs, 2, Castle Head (Miners Pass) stone steps and burnt out wooden ladders, 3. Cedar Head (Miners Pass) stone steps and burnt out wooden ladders. 4. Walls Pass (Miners Pass) stone step and burnt out wooden ladders - replaced by steel chains by Federation Search and Rescue Unit early 1970’s, 5. Gundungurra Pass (misnamed Duncan’s at Clear Hill – walking route, 6. Tarro’s Ladders (burned out wooden ladder replaced by spikes by Warrigal Club in 1940. Note – to the best of my knowledge the Miners Pass and Tarro’s Ladder shared the same route from the top cliff at Clear Hill to the top of the final cliff line, where Tarro’s Ladders diverted to the west and the Gundungurra Pass (Duncan’s) to the east.7. (Miners Ladders, stone steps and remains of burnt out ladders) at west side of Clear Hill near the top of the top cliff. I believe these were the ladders used by pioneer bushwalker Fred Eden (see Jim Barrett’s book “The First Bushwalker – the Story of Fred Eden”1996. 8. Dunphy’s Pass (bushwalkers pass in headwaters of Glen Alan Creek – a short rope can be useful for hand over hand up or down the short chimney. 9. Harmil Pass (a bushwalkers pass from the headwater of Sliprail Creek with a ledge to Glenraphael Head and two short climbs – rope needed). See Michael Keats guide book “Day Walks in Therabulat Country”2006 pp 100 -108. 10. Manson’s Ladders (well known bushwalkers pass on Carlons Head). 11. Black Billy’s Head (a Gundungurra pass zig zaging from ledge to ledge). 12. Blue Gum Pass (a gentle sloping fallen tree up the difficult lowest cliff of Fools Paradise – the headwaters of Mitchell’s Creek). 13 Coachwood Pass (a series of coach bolts fitted into a coachwood tree as a ladder (now overgrown) up the side of the waterfall in Mitchell’s Creek in the lowest cliff of Fools Paradise. 14. Rockpile Pass (near the point west south west of Redledge Pass. 15. Redledge Pass (this and the Gundungurra Pass (Duncan’s) are the only two really easy passes on Narrowneck and therefore were often used by the local Aborigines. 16. Blue Mountaineers Pass (suggested name for exposed climbing pass between Diamond Spray Falls and Dickson’s Ladders). 17. Dickson’s Ladders (misnamed Water Board Ladders) -now destroyed. There may yet be further passes to be found or refound for Narrowneck holds many secrets still.
Allchin09 wrote:I've been searching around for info about the water ladders of Narrow Neck that have apparently been removed, when I came across this photo - http://www.flickr.com/photos/summitvist ... /lightbox/. The author refers to them as 'Dixon's Ladders' and I don't know whether they are the same ones that I am thinking of, but it seems that they are quite climbable.
Can anyone confirm that the photo is of the water board ladders that are (or were) near the start of Narrow Neck, and does anyone know if they are still climbable? The photo was apparently taken in March last year so it is relatively recent.
Grabeach wrote:The Passes of Narrow Neck is a good read, but does not quite live up to the Preface intention of, "... find, identify and record all of the passes."
Allchin09 wrote: 2. Castle Head (Miners Pass) stone steps and burnt out wooden ladders
3. Cedar Head (Miners Pass) stone steps and burnt out wooden ladders.
rcaffin wrote:The trouble with the 'burnt out wooden ladders' on Castle Head is that they are no longer there, and the gap can be rather large.
I am not sure where the Miners Pass on Cedar head might be unless it is Walls Pass? I have done that a number of times in both directions, and I cannot recall any stone steps there. The chains are OK.
rcaffin wrote:My only concern is finding the Trig on Guouogang, apparent a few parties have had a spot of trouble finding it in the past.
Fortunately, when you are near it you should be able to see it.
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