Max drop 80m (25m + 55m pitches)
1.5hr / 2-4hrs / 15 mins (approach/descent/return)
Public access
Very high volume Slot Canyon, with an 80m entrance drop into a cauldron, with spray so fierce you might consider wearing goggles. Also a “black hole” (torches not needed) about halfway through.
Gets huge floods, so anchors can be damaged. Make sure you take a drill!… Needs a good long stretch of dry weather to come into condition.
First descent: Dave Vass, Tristran, Alain Rohr 2007.
Thanks to Patrick Timm for photos, videos and the canyontopo!
Amazing trip with some neat features. Would be good to go back with a bit more water in it for some excitement.
Many single bolts on the shorter and drier pitches. Much of the webbing is in need of replacement.
This one has been on the todo list for awhile and it didn’t disappoint!
Got to be one of the best bang for buck road side canyons in NZ.
Amazing drops, interesting features and beautiful scenery. Just missing a couple nice jumps and it would be a must do trip.
Current low levels keep things manageable but abit more water would definitely spice things up.
Looking forward to the next lap!
Wonderful to finally get into Falls Creek!
The first pitch is definitely a highlight! The rebelay is semi-hanging, with some ok footholds which make transitions a little easier. The rebelay anchor is currently 2x spits and a 10mm tru-bolt, all linked with webbing.. In the short term, take some webbing to replace this (and a couple of other) anchor stations..
In the longer term, this rebelay deserves a chain anchor station (nice bit of rock above the 10mm bolt for another bolt, all at the right height and position). Spent a while staring at this being the anchor manager ahah.. What a place!!
The middle section is very bouldery and seivey.. Would certainly need lots of care in higher flows.
The Black hole is another real highlight.. It looks intimidating, but its pretty safe really! I won’t spoil the surprise though ;0)
The exit sequence does require a little bit of looking to make sure you’re on the right line (well on the TR, in the vegetation slightly) to avoid the water… Locate the deviation and look carefully for the rebelay stance, well off to the TR on the slab.
Falls is definitely a classic canyon, with a few magnificent features that are really really special!
Thanks Patrick for showing us how its done ;0)
Average flow, according to the pictures on the topo. No problems with undercuts/pools in this level. Awesome trip and canyon, totally worth it!
We possibly did a descent with the highest water level ever in this canyon. Anchors are all good, and the updated topo coming within a few days, I have added extra notes and helpful stuff.
As I am very familiar with the canyon, our high water trip went super smooth but if anyone attempts it at this level they should be very competent or have done the canyon a few times before!! The updated topo will have water level photos to help you asses this.
Overall, great trip, my fav canyon at the moment, and looking forward to getting in there another few times this season!
Another great trip through Falls Creek, although a late start meant we did not get to experience the beautiful sun rays in the canyon like on previous trips (a highlight I now realise).
Low water levels on this trip (or as low as can be for this monster of a canyon).
Some time was wasted after a thrown bag got caught in an undercut, and since we got to explore that undercut quite well getting the bag back, it is definitely one to be wary of (jump after the jagged chute). So in hindsight a good experience as we explored the undercut quite well and upgraded our opinion on how significant and serious we thought it was.
All anchors survived from last season and I could not see any evidence of any flooding having occurred.
Yep, Falls creek is just too good! Went in a second time just a few weeks after the first. Everything still as described in my earlier trip report.
CHANGES:
► I added a DBB to the top of R1 to replace the webbing. Not sure how big of a flood it will take to move the boulder its installed on, but it won’t get damaged unless that boulder moves. Need to change the hanger to a 45° one, I don’t like the ring hanger I used. Will do that next trip through.
► Added a single ring bolt before R9 to access it (last waterfall) that is facing away from any flow so ‘should’ last. This is handy for higher flows to access the R9 anchor as its a pour over, and would be quite tricky/dangerous in higher flows. There’s another bolt on the ledge once you get over so you can set a retrievable guideline for the rest of the team.
► Found a 2nd anchor on R9 on TR. This is around 25m down from R9 anchor. This will be the way to go down (split R9 into multi) in higher flows (so average level or higher) as you stay completely clear of the water then.
That’s all! I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to go again!
Amazing canyon, really deep, slotted and pretty! Pools of all shades of blue- just magical!
It was a little below average water level for this trip, but still an A5 grading- there are some spots you really need to be aware of your white water canyoning skills ect. Only a skilled, competent team should undertake this canyon. Do not underestimate its commitment and seriousness.
ALWAYS take a drill- floods will rip a lot of anchors out, there’s just no avoiding it. We placed/replaced 5 anchors. If I went again, I would still take 15 bolts or so regardless (we took 20 on this trip), its not a canyon you want to get stuck in. But each person should decide that themselves, that’s just what I would personally do. Also, its granite, so takes longer to drill.
Also, take goggles! Water spray is incredibly violent on first and last major waterfall. You cannot see without them. Think half to full meter waves as well!