Wood-Spring Traverse
Location: A composite route with some exposed rock climbing pitches, originally started from the 3 Firs route on the side of Spring Buttress, but easier to find if done starting from Woody Ravine.
Overview: It is necessary to have an experienced leader who is a rock climber and has a rope and safety equipment to protect the party on the 2xC grade traverse pitches, plus the awkward descent/ascent recess (depends on which direction done)
Route Description:
A high level traverse running across the full width of the great cliff that rises out of Wood Ravine. The route may be done in either direction starting from high up Woody Ravine, or from high up on the 3 Firs path. This description is from Right to Left, but there are 2 slideshows so you can view the traverse in either direction.
Start up the 3 Firs path, and from quite high up a line of beacons indicates the line to traverse left around Spring buttress. There is also a lower line of beacons on the left seen from the 3 Firs path ascent, and these can also be followed up a gully and rib until reaching the higher line of traverse beacons.
The traverse crosses the last scramble gully on the Spring Step-Over route, then continues on bushy ledges and rocky bands across another gully then around the Spring Needle rib, when a bushy slope is descended a short way to a rock ledge. Somewhere along this section is a short rock step that is often roped for safety.
Follow this rock ledge until up against a large square rock rib blocking the way. Here a roped belay is necessary for the delicate step down and long reach to the corner using a hand rail. The drop is considerable. Beyond this continue with care over blocks and along the narrow and sometimes muddy, slippery ledge into Woody ravine.
If the slideshow does not start automatically then click on the 3 vertical dots and in the table that opens click on 'Auto Play' then select the timing you want and then 'Play'.