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Tiger Snake Canyon is a narrow, twisting tributary of Deanes Creek, in the South Wolgan area. It features two constrictions. The lower is deep, dark and spectacular, and was discovered on a joint SUBW - Ramblers trip in September 1977. The upper constriction was discovered later on a Ramblers trip. Some of the first party were trapped by a tiger snake in the chamber below the keyhole and the rest of the party were forced to throw clothes on it to allow them escape. Tiger Snake is particularly popular as a winter trip as it is a relatively dry trip.
Guiding Ratios
Guiding Ratios
Overall Numbers: Guide to Participants ratio 2:10. Max group size 12.
Spacing of groups: 30min spacing is needed between groups. This rule still applies if MAG is running two groups.
Map and Entry & Exit
Map and Entry & Exit
Approaching the Canyon:
Approaching the Canyon:
From ZigZag Railway: Follow Bells line of road for 9km (15min) to Glowworm tunnel road. Turn Right and follow glowworm tunnel road north for 20km (30min) before taking the slight right for Old Coach road. Follow Old Coach Road for 4km (5min) to locked gate and canyon carpark. Road is rough dirt road but accessible to 2 wheel drive.
From Emirates One&Only (4WD ONLY): From Emirates follow the Wolgan Road South for 20km (25min). Turn at Black Fellows hand Trail and follow for 16km until you reach GlowWorm Tunnel Road. Follow Glowworm Tunnel Road for 18km (25min) to Slight right to Old Coach Road. Follow Old Coach Road for 4km (5min) to locked gate and canyon carpark.Road is 4WD only.
Important navigational Points within the canyon:
Important navigational Points within the canyon:
The track junction, where the canyon loops to the exit is located at 33°13'20.3"S 150°15'01.5"E. As you approach the canyon, make sure you take the left turn at this junction. It is easy to miss.
The base of the exit gully at the end of the canyon is located at 33°13'15.4"S 150°15'32.9"E. It is the obvious gully on canyon right after the canyon finishes.
During the exit there is an abrupt turn at 33°13'26.8"S 150°15'12.9"E where the track climbs a pagoda. It is marked with an arrow in the rock. Easy to miss as a false trail continues forward.
Packing List
Packing List
Client Gear:
Harness + descending device- 1 per client
Helmet - 1 per client
Head Torch - 1 per client
Ropes and Rigging:
50m Static Rope - 1
25m Static Rope - 1
10m tape/static for rigging
5m Safety Line -1
Rigging Carabiners - 6
Rope Protections - 2
Safety:
First Aid Kit
PLB
Bothy Bag Shelter
Site Specific Briefing
Site Specific Briefing
The Guide articulates Tiger Snake Canyon will take 5-7 hours to complete.
The Guide articulates the skills and actions required for Tiger Snake. These include;
Bushwalking in difficult terrain
Being in a remote area and exposed to cold climates
Rock scrambling and short rock climbs
Abseiling on difficult formations, on wet/slippery rocks
Compulsory swimming in cold and/or dark water
Negotiating narrow or confined spaces
For further briefing information click through the below steps.
Rigging Tiger Snake Canyon
Rigging Tiger Snake Canyon
Abseil 1 - 15m
Abseil 1 - 15m
Abseil is located to the right of canyon entrance, facing the canyon, on the top of the rock platform.
There is an alternative abseil that goes directly into the canyon from a tree. It's about 5m and is an awkward abseil through the iron stone bands. Whenever possible, the higher abseil is preferred.
Safety line to be used, treat the start of the abseil slope as a cliff edge.
Top Belay and Releasable system to be used.
Check existing rope anchor for and wear and tear, if in doubt, back it up.
Verbally coach clients on navigating narrow entrance to canyon, if needed assist with top belay.
Abseil 2 - 5m
Abseil 2 - 5m
Logs to be treated as natural anchor. Check thoroughly for decay and strength. Check all ropes for wear and tear. Anchor can be backed up with cams in wall on canyon left if needed.
Short abseil, use top belay
Clients must be on safety before stepping over log anchor.
Lower -3m
Lower -3m
Short Down Climb after abseil 2. Can be run as an abseil or a lower/down climb.
Assess client ability. Down Climbing on a top belay is generally the easiest approach but use your judgement, a short abseil with top belay is possible if needed.
Drop is abrupt, situated after tight constriction at the bottom of Abseil 2. A guide must be the first to go through.
Abseil 4- 25m
Abseil 4- 25m
ABSEIL HEIGHT HAS CHANGED 4/9/2020, NOW 25m
New anchor is high on right of cliff face, do not descend to old anchor point.
Safety Lines to reach back 2m behind tree anchor for approach.
Top Belay/ Releasable system to be used.
New abseil line down cliff is scrubby. Anchor could be redirected to old abseil line. Current line of descent will bring risk of dislodging vegetation. These detail will likely change as new anchor receives traffic.
Abseil 5 - 25m
Abseil 5 - 25m
Ensure clients understand they are next to a cliff, drop cannot be seen from the top. Show safe areas to wait and where to attach safety.
Check all anchor points. Trees must be alive without excessive root exposure, rope to be checked for wear and tear. All existing knots to be inspected.
Safety lines to reach flat ground well before slope towards anchor point.
Top Belay/ Releasable system to be used.
If head torches are being used clients should turn them on before beginning the abseil .
Verbally coach clients through beginning constriction, second guide should coach from the bottom for remainder of abseil.
Obstacles in Tiger Snake
Obstacles in Tiger Snake
There are a number of down-scramble obstacles within the Tiger Snake system. They can be safely managed with the following principles:
The need for spotting during the activity must be considered. Review the following:
the likelihood of falling
the fall height involved (>1m)
the hazards within the fall zone
NOTE: The lower discussed in the rigging section must be run as a lower, not spotted as a down scramble.
Emergency Exit Point - 33°13'18.6"S 150°15'13.2"E
Emergency Exit Point - 33°13'18.6"S 150°15'13.2"E
If the canyon needs to be cut short for any emergency reason there is the option to miss the second half of the canyon and exit early.
From the base of Abseil 3 the party can move south up the gully for roughly 200m and connect with the exit trail.
Phone Reception
Phone Reception
There is no phone reception throughout the canyon and carpark area. Nearest phone reception is the Junction of Glow Worm Tunnel road and Waratah Ridge Road.
All groups operating in this area must carry a PLB and have a clear plan, timings and actions on with basecamp/ emergency contacts.
Interpretations
Interpretations
Iron Stone Bands
Iron rich liquid somehow entered the sandstone, but this process is not yet fully understood. It is thought that as water precipitated out it left concentrated levels of iron forming the ironstone bands, tubes and a range of strange shapes. Again, how these shapes form is little understood. These are revealed as the more friable surrounding sandstone is eroded, allowing the ironstone to jut out 10s of centimetres and in rare cases up to a metre.
Toileting
Toileting
There are no toilets available for this canyon. This needs to be made clear to clients before beginning the drive out to Tiger snake.
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