Life is an Adventure

What is Bluff Knoll?

Well, the definition of bluff and knoll literally means “a little round hill presenting a nearly perpendicular front”.

Geographically it is located in the Stirling Ranges, about 80 km north of Albany in the southwest of WA. It rises to an impressive 1,099  meters above sea level… a “little round hill”… I don’t think so!

To our enthusiastic group of Adventurous Women, Bluff Knoll meant an unforgetable challenge – an opportunity to push themselves way outside their comfort zones and do their first ever multi-pitch abseil down the 280 meter face! Without doubt, one of the most challenging abseils possible in WA!

So, did we just rock up (pardon the pun) and throw ourselves off the top? I don’t think so. Under the wonderful guidance of our friends from Adventure Out, we started with a bit of horizontal abseilling between some pillars. Yes, horizontal abseiling… but this was more complicated than it sounds because we were learning and practicing the necessary new techniques required for a multi-pitch abseil. This involved making sure we were “C for safe” before the extensive use of our “carribeans”, and “pushits”. Translation – checking our harness straps were doubled-back forming a ‘C’, and using carabiners and prussics! Phew – everyone’s got a lot to learn!

Having mastered the horizontal abseil it was off to the real thing. Castle Rock – here we come with all our ropes, very flattering harnesses, helmets etc… we’re ready! Coming together as an incredibly supportive, encouraging team after some hesitant starts we all mastered the ‘baby slope’ in no time. We’ve graduated to the next step - the 50 meter drop, complete with freefall past the overhang … Castle Rock! Awesome! So awesome in fact that we all did it multiple times. No stopping us now!

The next day, it’s off to Bluff Knoll – how gorgeous it is through all the beautiful color changes of the sunrise. But, no point hanging around admiring from the bottom… off up to the top we go! After some huffing and puffing, onwards and upwards we go… soon to reap the rewards of amazing views, a full 360 degrees for miles in all directions.

Now to put all our newly acquired skill into practice… one by one,  it’s over the edge we go, down the first 50 meter pitch. The views… unbelievable! The adrenalin rush… fabulous! On down we go, tagging off one rope, onto the safetly line, then onto the next rope, a thorough check by our abseil buddy, then off down the next pitch!! Yee ha! TIme for a breather… a bit of a re-group and “High Tea” on a ledge aptly named Prickle Traverse. Yes, we really did have a lovely cuppa up there.

Three more pitches to go – we’re real pros now, and having an absolute blast. But watch out for the trees, they don’t make soft landings.. they have sharp pointy bits… and they pick-pocket unsuspecting water bottles!

Bitter sweet feelings as we reach the end of the rope on the 5th abseil pitch. We’ve all done it, but there are no more abseils, we’re done!!

Oh wait, no we’re not… we’re part way down the mountain, we have to trek back UP the 280 meters to the top.. No worries, we head off following “Brendan Grills” as he leads us on a merry chase, bush bashing and scrambling our way to the top.

From the bottom as the sun sets we look back up over the mountain, and reflect on our amazing experience.

We came, we made new friends, we saw, we challenged ourselves, and we conquered… together!!