> Will's Climbing Page > Crags > Blue Mountains > Three Sisters

The Three Sisters

Climbing is currently banned here. Please respect the ban so that climbing access will be more favourably considered at the end of the 5 year moratorium.

The Word: An icon.
Sun/shade: The West Wall gets afternoon sun.
Wet weather options: None.
Style of Climbs: Old-style trad classics.
Best Routes: West Wall, The Mantelshelf

The Details: Go to Katoomba and follow the hordes of tourists - you can't miss it.
Access: 3min walk to TM, about 30-40mins to WW. 90mins drive from Sydney CBD. Follow the tourist path down to Honeymoon Point Bridge.

*** The Mantleshelf 21m 13 (OS)
Belay off Honeymoon Point Bridge (first sister). Belay off fence, step R to instant exposure. Up shallow corner to #2.5 friend, great moves to swing out R to the obvious shelf, no surprises, you have to mantle on to it. Great moves, wires and rock up the corner, then step L or R at the top (R gives jugs and exposure!). Small-mid cams for belay, rap 10m L.

** West Wall 225m 12 (OS)
An old classic! Almost loses a star because of the fairly ordinary first 4 pitches, but it finishes in style! A total of 144m of climbing. Down Giant Staircase, then around to the west side of the sisters. Scramble up below 3rd sister, start is marked under blocky corner. 1) (21m 11) Tricky unprotected corner to tree (runner), ledge, then up to DBB on ledge. Shift belay 10m R to bottom of corner. 2) (* 12m 12) Cheat stones make first move only heinously hard, then a nice section of climbing to ledge. Shift belay 25m L to DBB on L side of slab. 3) (15m 10) Corner then L wall to BB and cracks to ledge and DBB. 4) (40m 9) Slab and BB to ledge and steep blocky corner. Step R at top and continue up dirt until belay ok. Shift belay 30m up track to base of slab. 5) (** 35m 12) Slab to crack/chimney, then step L onto slab, nice moves past BB. Up to BB on ledge. 6) (** 21m 12) Up to roof, BB, then stylish pull over lip and up chimney, veer L onto 2nd sister.

The Tourist Traverse 40m 7 (OS)
From the West Wall, up to the top of the 2nd sister (great position!), then 2 raps down to join 1st sister. Walk up to the E side, then rope up for exposed traverse round R to the tourist bridge.

To see photos of these routes, click here.