Mother Cummings Peak (Western Tiers)

Anyone  know of any routes done here? Any details much appreciated.

Gary

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11 Comments

  1. Jon Nermut

    Never heard of any routes up there, if anyone would know it would be Bob McMahon. The Western Tiers always had the reputation of being low angle, chossy, and shitty approaches. But its all probably worth another look in the age of sport climbing and bouldering - i.e. Gerry's new cliff at Cluan Tiers.
    There's bands of sandstone all through there as well as the dolerite. I wonder if there's any decent bouldering?

    1. Gary Burgess AUTHOR

      Thanks Jon, ease of access is the main problem. There looks to be some excellent but serious routes in the area. Hopefully i can shed further light on the prospects soon when i get back up there.

      In regard to the sandstone belt, from memory there is a very prominent belt on some farmland near Jackeys Marsh or at least south of there. You would have to get permission from landowner/s as it looks like it is on private property or you would have to cross private property in any case. The cliff looks to be quite substantial, at least in height anyway.

      Regards,

      Gary

  2. Kim Robinson

    See Attached,

    Has anyone checked out Liffy bluff? I've been thinking about making a visit up there to check it out but haven't gotten around to it. I have only seen it from the road, my memory is of overhanging dollerite.
     

    1. Gary Burgess AUTHOR

      It certainly looks good on the map and from a distance.

      Let me know if you get there.

      Gary 

  3. Jon Nermut

    Speaking of the very rough general area, there must be some exposed limestone somewhere at Mole Creek? Cave entrances?

    1. Gary Burgess AUTHOR

      There looks to be a sizeable chunk in the vicinity of Croesus cave on the upper reaches of the Mersey river. You can see it from the lookout across Echo Valley. Looks to be a reasonable cliff just above the river.

      Gary

  4. Tim Wells

    Hi Guys, was there any further development on this? I have been working in the area extensively and would be very interested to see if there is any history. Thanks. 

    1. John Fischer

      I did a search using top right field on every page for mother cummings and surprise! http://jedparkes.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/2010-is-it/ has the right up for the trip Jed and Topher did a few years ago.

      They named a route "Id rather be picking goat balls" because I was picking fruit and could not come out with them. Very funny. Topher was frothing about the place and if I remember right there are still a bunch of routes to be climbed. I may be interested in heading up there. Give me a ring if you would like a climbing partner...

      0459122559

  5. Jed Parkes

    Wow i forgot about my blog (smile) haven;t rabbled on there in ages.

    yeah goat balls, that was a fun route.

    The obvious crack 50m 19 done in 2 pitches but it you had loads of #2 and #3 you could do it in 1 pitch.

    What i mostly remember about that place was that the trundling potential was better than the climbing, but we might have done most of the best trundles but i'm sure there are some dribs and drabs left.

    But If you want to climb there looked like some other good long lines but the bottom part of the cliff was fused so you'll need some bolts to get up to the cracks (put some anchors in at Ben while the drill is out)

    Loads of shorter cracks around though.

    If you're looking to climb cracks go to Ben Lomond.

    If you're looking for first ascents that will probably never see a second ascent mother Cummings has huge potential (smile)

  6. Tim Wells

    Thanks John and Jed its great to hear that a route has been done and that you agree there is potential. Its kinda my local at the moment but I am just photographing and documenting the various crags on MC and the un-named wall (which I am loosely calling Tiger (thylacine) wall due to its stripes) nearby. Looks like the route you did was on the north (?) ridge of MC? We observed the fused rock also in the area. 

  7. Tim Wells

    A quick note on limestone - I have been looking for same in the Mole Creek area also - nothing found to date but I am in the Mole Creek Caving club so will have a chat to Deb about possible limestone options that could be tackled in a sensitive manner.