Mitchells Ridge has one of the shortest crag approaches of any crags in the mountains. Add a spectacular historical lookout and a great picnic area and this could be one of the best climbing destinations you are looking for. Not a lot of easy stuff but some superb hard stuff. A wild chicken lives there – just in case you have been warned.
Mitchells Ridge Lookout is a historic lookout and rest area, named after Sir Thomas Livingston Mitchell who supervised the building of the Pass by convict labour in 1832. An obelisk at the lookout commemorates the opening of Victoria Pass in 1832.
The Pass is one of the oldest and most significant engineered works in Australia still in use today. From the western end of the lookout, there is a good view of the convict-hewn and built sandstone rampart across the Pass. Further images and historical data is available on the Askroz page.
Oh! Shut Up! (20*) the one and only warmup. Not bad but as the name suggests – no complaining please.
Will it Stay (23*) very tough for the grade unless you are tall 😉 we thought this was the 25 that was ‘unbolted’ (about 5m to the left) but turns out that it is indeed the 23. Easy introduction to rest jug ledge. And then its game on all the way to the top with long crimpy moves.
Grace (26***) This is the climb to do here. We all did a few practice laps to learn the moves. Tough and technical throughout. The introductory traverse is amazing and a tough wake up call for the hard arete moves higher up.
Video of James and Dave showing the Moves on Grace.
Mogambo (24**) Nice onsight by James. The first half looks incredible blank, but no so, there are good holds and its quite easy to the half way mark. Theh it kicks up big time for the grand finale. Match a crimp rail and right-hand lunge for a good hold. From here tough reach across a corner to a sidepull crimp – lock it off and reach for the sloper match (terrible) jugs from here. If you are wondering about the name: Mogambo is a 1953 Technicolor adventure/romantic drama film directed by John Ford and starring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, and Grace Kelly. So this climb is a “romantic adventure” Go and get it.
It is always a special experience to visit a new Blue Mountains crag, one that you have never been to, despite visiting perhaps hundreds of them and many multiple times over. Will we be back one day, who knows but we sure will try our best - until then - remember that special arete waiting for you.
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