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Doug from Hobart
Trad climber
Tasmania
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 29, 2014 - 04:43am PT
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Have you ever - or do you intend to - climb on the Organ Pipes on Mt Wellington? It's an iconic crag of the Tasmanian climbing scene. Composed of dolerite columns perched at 1000 metres asl, just under the summit of Mt Wellington, "The Pipes" loom above the city of Hobart and offer panoramic views looking south down the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, southest to the Tasman Peninsula (home to the iconic Totem Pole) and even as far northeast as Freycinet Peninsula.
This wonderful climbing destination is under threat of having a cable car built directly over it, with a 36 metre high tower and a 3 story terminus looming directly over the Amphitheatre and one of the best 10c's on the planet, a route called Skyrocket. The guide for Mt Wellington describes it thus: "Trad climbing on the Pipes is epitomised by this signature route. The climbing is outstanding and the position preposterous." Apart from the aesthetic damage done, there is a good chance that this route and the whole columns area could suffer catastrophic damage in the construction phase of the project.
The would be developer has put together a very seductive webpage to promote his proposal.
Unfortunately, entrenched interests in Tasmania mean that this sort of develop at all costs mentality is given far too much credibility, and the principal of this scheme has strong links in this regard. Local climbers are trying to mobilise opposition to this hideous proposal amongst the worldwide climbing community. We are hoping that you will be prepared to stand up and be counted, perhaps by putting your name, location and perhaps an email contact to a letter to the Wellington Park Management Trust, and perhaps the Hobart City Council.
You can read more on this issue on Chockstone.
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Jul 29, 2014 - 08:42am PT
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Call Bugs Bunny, he knew how to deal with Tasmanian Devils.
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ionlyski
Trad climber
Kalispell, Montana
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Jul 29, 2014 - 09:55am PT
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rif, You probably capped your farts in a jar and uncorked it in class, behind the girl with the red hair too. Way to add something on topic bro.
Thanks for the heads up on Wellington. Yes, I was lucky enough to climb there only for a day. Tasmania is hands down one of the very best climbing destinations in the world. Wellington, like most Australian arenas is bold and adventurous and unlike anything I've ever seen. Would be a shame to develop over the top of it.
Arne
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Doug from Hobart
Trad climber
Tasmania
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 31, 2014 - 12:46am PT
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Bump!
This is part of what we are trying to protect:
The proposed cable car/gondola would go directly over The Columns, perhaps directly over Cossack Column at the right hand end. It is home to four iconic routes: Tartarus (21): Sky Rocket (20); In Flagrante Delicto (24) and Potem Tole (19). In the overview above you can just see a climber starting up In Flagrante Dilecto, so named because when Roger put it up it was a bit of a statement ~ a sport route up an arête amongst a slew of trad routes.
Here's a shot looking down that line:
Fifty metres of sustained bliss. Here's what the guide book says about it: "An amazing line of sustained quality and difficulty up the RH arête of Cossack Column. Originally done in two pitches, but best done as one."
As it has come to pass, Roger's eye for a line has been a major factor in development on the Organ Pipes, with others following his lead. Word is gradually getting out about the quality sports routes on "The Pipes". Currently there are sport routes ranging from about 10a to 13c, most if not all of them well worth doing as the rock is generally clean and steep.
For most people though, our little alpine crag is defined by its trad climbing. I mentioned Sky Rocket in my opening post. Here are a few shots of that route ...
Is there anyone out there in supertopo land who is keen to help us save this crag?
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KabalaArch
Trad climber
Starlite, California
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Jul 31, 2014 - 12:58am PT
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Beautiful!
If I could afford airfare, love to check out the agriculture as well ;)
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Doug from Hobart
Trad climber
Tasmania
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2014 - 06:34pm PT
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MAJOR UPDATE!
The Wellington Park Management Trust have now called for submissions from the public on possible rule changes for development at the pinnacle of the mountain. Now is the time for anyone who does not want to see a cable car running directly over the Organ Pipes, with a 36 metre tower and a 3 story building perched between the summit and the Organ Pipes.
Submissions can be made directly to the Trust by individuals or groups.
Some of you have have visited Tasmania and climbed on Mt Wellington. Others of you may hope to visit the Organ Pipes one day. I believe this is a watershed moment, a moment where the natural values of the southeast face of Mt Wellington, in particular the Organ Pipes and the area around The Columns, can be preserved or lost forever. Can you help by making a representation to he Wellington Park Management Trust?
If you are interested in making a submission you can get find the necessary forms on this page.
Incidentally, Mt Wellington is becoming increasingly popular as a paragliding site:
[Click to View YouTube Video]
A cable car would of course impinge significantly on this activity as well!
Hope you can help.
Best regards
Doug
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