National Parks Association condones a culture of breaching Canyoning Code of Ethics

Source: Bushwalking Activities Program 2013

http://www.npansw.org.au/index.php/bushwalking-parentmenu-213/activities-program-from-database.html

Evidence:
16 Mar Sat to 17 Mar Sun Wollemi NP (a World Heritage park of mostly IUCN category 1b Wilderness Grade: (Canyoning) 4/5; Distance: total 24 km; asc/desc 320m x3m. Description: Canyoning: Nightmare, Pipeline and Devil's Pinch; swims in the latter. Leader: Adrian Cooper Limit: 10 Map: Mt Morgan Branch: Sydney Notes: Must bring helmet and abseil gear. Wetsuit and gaiters suggested. Age limit 13. 24 Mar Sun Blue Mts NP Grade: 4; Distance: 9.5 km; asc/desc 420m. Description: Walk starts at Deep Pass , goes down Gateway Canyon , along Bungleboori Ck and up NE Canyon to return via Railmotor Ridge. Leader: Adrian Cooper Limit: 10 Map: Rock Hill Branch: Sydney Notes: No abseils; one 5m jump (may be rope-assisted) into pool. Some swimming; wetsuit and gaiters recommended. Age limit 13. 20 Apr Sat Wollemi NP Grade: 3-4; Distance: 13 km; asc/desc 250m. Description: Some off track with scrub, creek crossings, fire trail, track and minor scrambling. Old Coach Road Fire Trail Tiger Snake Canyon Exit Track Tiger - Snake Creek Deanes Creek Constance Gorge Constance Ridge Fire Trail Old Coach Road. A very nice walk, Constance Gorge is worth a visit, part of the walk has mild scrub. Leader: Peter Fox Limit: 12 Map: Ben Bullen Branch: Sydney 17 Mar Sun Blue Mountains Grade: 3; Distance: 15 km; asc/desc 400m. Description: Blackheath to Govetts Leap and the then through Grand Canyon. Return via Braeside Walk. Leader: Brian Everingham Limit: 15 Branch: Southern Sydney

NPWS Canyon Code of Ethics (abridged)

Don't wear the canyons down!
Keep your group to a small and manageable size (4-8 people). Don't place bolts, or alter rock surfaces in any way. Avoid leaving unnecessary slings and remove old slings. Keep to creek channels, to avoid sensitive creek banks and soft vegetation. Avoid establishing new abseil routes or footpads - keep to existing paths, or spread out in trackless terrain. Walk carefully in rocky pagoda areas - flaky rocks and thin ledges can break easily. Do not mark tracks (signs, cairns, broken branches). Each group should have at least one competent navigator. Don't publicise 'new' canyons or those in wilderness areas, to preserve opportunities for discovery and to minimise impacts. Use fuel stoves - fires scars are unsightly, attract rubbish and encourage vegetation damage. Avoid camping in canyon environments. Dispose of human waste away from canyons. Leave crayfish and other wildlife alone. Carry out any rubbish.

Source: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parksafety/Canyoning.htm

Wollemi National Park Plan of Management

Group recreational use within declared wilderness will be restricted to a maximum of 8 persons unless a smaller group size is specified in Section 4.3 (eg for lead-climbing activities). Variations in maximum group size may be approved by the Regional Manager consistent with Section 4.3. Source: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parkmanagement/WollemiNPMgmtplan.htm