Safer Cliffs Australia

You may have already heard of Safer Cliffs Victoria who are doing great work replacing dangerous fixed protection at Victorian crags. Queensland is now part of the Australian Safer Cliffs Network. What is Safer Cliffs Australia ? Safer Cliffs Australia is a non-profit voluntary organisation of climbers who maintain the safety of rock climbing areas. Dangerous fixed anchors such as sun damaged slings, worn abseil anchors and rusty bolts are replaced so that the climb is as safe as on its first ascent. Environmental concerns are important to Safer Cliffs Australia and every means possible is used to camouflage the replacement fixed anchors so they are less visible than the original dangerous anchors. Equipment used is of the highest quality and designed to last for many decades of regular and continued use. Old fixed anchors that are not being used for modern climbing will be removed and not replaced. Safer Cliffs Australia is not involved in retrobolting routes without permission from the first ascentionists. Why do we need Safer Cliffs Australia ? * Rebolting is expensive, time-consuming, and it's critical that it be done right. This is most easily accomplished by the few people in each State who have this experience. * It isn't fair that one or two climbers fund the entire process in each State. * Rebolting an average route with five bolts, fixed hangers and a rap station costs roughly $90. Individual climbers are spending thousands of dollars of their own money equipping routes. This benefits the entire climbing community. * Many climbers would like to help out. Now they can. Safer Cliffs Victoria Safer Cliffs Victoria have been active since 2003 and have fixed over 100 routes in the Grampians, Camels Hump, You Yangs and many other popular crags around Victoria since then. You can view a database of re-bolted routes and suggest routes that need attention (plus access much more information) on the Victorian section of the Safer Cliffs Australia website. To donate to Safer Cliffs Victoria, email [email protected] Safer Cliffs Queensland A couple of individuals have been particularly active re-equipping routes in Queensland since 2002, with over 20 routes at Kangaroo Point and elsewhere fixed to date. July 2004 saw the official formation of Safer Cliffs Queensland to organise and expand these efforts. You can view a database of re-bolted routes and suggest routes that need attention on the Queensland section of the Safer Cliffs Australia website. To donate to Safer Cliffs Queensland, drop your donation into the purple tin at Urban Climb gym, or email [email protected] Other States There are similar rebolting initiatives active in other States. Links to these are available from the Safer Cliffs Australia website. Interested parties in other states are encouraged to join the Safer Cliffs Australia Network. Contact [email protected] to discuss. For more information, please visit www.safercliffs.org The Safer Cliffs Initiative is non-profit and relies entirely on the generosity of everyday climbers like you.