This year we travel to climb the rock faces at the best Mt Arapiles has to offer (in our grades anyway). The camp will cater for everone from beginner to the best. Come along and meet new people and experience the fun and social times that climbing has to offer. We will spend time talking about faith and isues facing people in todays world. We will be camping in a great location and all the climbing gear is supplied. This camp is for the beginner and the pro.

Experienced climbers, with all the gear will take you on a variety of climbs appropriate to your experience and desire for challenge. If you have never climbed before, that's ok 'cause they'll teach you. If you can't bear the thought of climbing but enjoy socializing, then come along as there are plenty of walks to be done, wild flowers to see and coffee shops within range. We will also take some time out for some Christian teaching.

Rock Climbing Camp 2005 Report

On the first weekend of November, 2005 a group of young, willing and potentially great rock climbers made their way to the Kooyoora State Park, west of Bendigo. Arriving at our campsite on the Friday night, we found a campfire and supper – the ideal start to a great trip. We got to know each other a bit better and psyched ourselves up for the coming days.

Upon rising on Saturday morning we found fantastic weather. We had breakfast and then headed to an area known as ‘The Courtyard’. While our fantastic leader Peter Geldart and his sidekick Ben Fenselau set up our climbs, we wandered off in search of ‘Skinny Man Squeeze’. As you can imagine, it was a very narrow vertical tunnel that you could try and squeeze through. With Pete’s encouraging words: “If an old fat man like me can get through there…” most people gave it a triumphant effort. We went and focused on 5 separate climbs, stopped for a great lunch and then back into it; this time it was a bit harder though. The sun was blazing, some people got burnt, but all in all we had a great day.

Saturday dinner was fantastic, followed by a night-time tour of the Melville Caves. The darkness of the caves provided the perfect opportunity for us to talk about ‘Our Light’. Darren Cronshaw was our speaker for the trip and provided some fantastic insights into our relationship with Christ. Our attention was drawn to the ‘high mountains and deep valleys’ that not only exist on the earth’s surface, but also in our lives; emotionally and spiritually.

Sunday was another great day, filling our time with climbs around the Melville Caves, as well as a highly enjoyable abseil. Everything seemed to be a lot higher and longer, requiring a lot more of whatever it is that gets us up those granite rock faces. After watching a 5 and 7 year old climb up the same climbs as us, we were all awe-inspired. Well done Jessie and Logan!

Overall, the trip was so beneficial, not only for the enjoyment value, but by being able to meet and spend time with fellow Christians, developing spiritually and just having a really relaxing, fun and blood pumping week-end! Thanks to Peter, Wendy, Ben and Darren (especially for the jokes) for a fantastic time. I’ll see you all next year!

Kim Kennedy

Rock Climbing Camp 2004 Report
It was a cold and wet night in the Northern Grampians as 11 people arrived for ESA’s 2004 Rock Climbing Camp. We were a small but enthusiastic bunch. Adrian Hensley was so keen that he walked for 11km in the dark & rain just to get there when the ute broke down!
On Saturday we made our way down to Summerday Valley & started climbing. It was a beautiful day for climbing (isn’t any day?). No thunderstorms this day! Just rain. We were all able to complete a range of climbs & get to know each other. Cara regailed us with stories of getting lost on the way and Mags was flummoxed by the way the year was progressing, with us already in October. After a second it was pointed out that we were in fact already in November! Our thanks to Wendy, Peter & Adrian for taking the time out to get the ute fixed on Saturday.
In the afternoon we took a walk up to Hollow Mtn. We had spectacular views of Tiapan Wall (a famous rock climbing spot). A few of the keener campers had a go at bouldering in some beaut caves along the way.
Adrian cooked up a feast for us, the schnitzels were too big for some plates!
Ben Finesley shared with us his trip to New Zealand earlier in the year, where he met some people who were later killed in a tragic avalanche only weeks later. It helped us to realize how fragile life is and to trust God more.
On Sunday we hit the rocks again (some shins and elbows were scraped). We had a go at some lead climbing (more fun than a ferret down your trousers).
Our thanks go to Michael, who continues to supply our camp with equipment and his many years of experience. Thanks to Adrian for the food and Ben for the studies, & Peter for organising the camp.

    To find Mt Stapylton Camping area (where we will be camping) In 2004
Head up the Western Hwy from Stawell and 11kms past Dadswells Bridge and take a left down "Wonwomdah" road labeled"Laharum/Wartook/Mt Zero/Halls Gap". After 2.9kms go left down a dirt track. (You'll find the Mt Zero log cabins here for the camping impaired). Take the next right, and after the road winds around a bit you'll see the well established Hollow Mountain car park, including toilets. To access Stapylton campground, continue down the road past Mt Zero picnic area and follow the signs.  

 

Camp Report for 2003
In November 2003, a group of young adults descended on Mt Arapiles for a weekend of rock climbing led by our fearless leaders Peter, Wendy and Michael. Arriving after dark on Friday night, it was a little hard to find a group of people you hadn't previously met - especially if you were looking in the wrong campsite! None the less, we all found the large meeting tent and built a small tent city around it. Then proceeded to drink tea, tell a few stories and get to know each other (it is important to know the people you will entrust with your life!).

Saturday morning we set off fairly early to climb Mitre Rock, not deterred by dubious looking weather. Once a few climbs had been set up and we had been briefed on the basics of rock climbing, we tackled various rockfaces (with varying degrees of success!). It is quite a team building experience to rely on each other for your safety, as well as for invaluable encouragement. On the whole, it was a perfect day for rock climbing - well, in between the showers of rain which kept rolling through. Fortunately we could see them coming and they were all followed by sun to dry the rocks. Sunday was more climbing at Mt Arapiles with fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and less rain. Congratulations everyone who made it over the overhang - you have amazing upper body strength, skill and nerve!

We were extremely well fed by Adrian. Most memorable was do-it-yourself tiramisu. Very tasty. I have never seen anything quite like it before! We were blessed to have David McGrouther share with us over the weekend. He told of many a hair raising rock climbing experience, how God has been working over his life and practical applications for us. It was an excellent, adventurous weekend for spending time amongst God's great creation, encouraging each other in faith and doing some fairly serious climbing!