Empress Rescue!

Date: 7 Feb 2010
Participants: Jerm, Matt

After visiting friends in Hazelbrook we decided to head up to Wenty Falls to check out Empress after all this rain. The rain had stopped for about an hour so we brought our canyoning gear....just in case it was doable, but knowing full well that it wouldn't be :P

It was clear, even on the walk down that Empress was pounding, as it could be heard from just 150m down the tourist track. After a quick stop at Queen Vic LO, a number of ephemeral waterfalls were flowing over the cliffs. Down in the valley below, the section of creek downstream from the falls was also flooded.

Empress Falls itself was truly spectacular!! It was literally a raging torrent of water! The pool at the bottom was full of turbulent whitewater, the tourist track crossing was flooded and debris from the canyon was starting to accumulate. It was truly awe inspiring. Canyoning would be downright dangerous. The view from Lillians bridge was like looking down into a flowing river!

Whilst at the plunge pool (taking lots of photos), we could hear shouting. It turns out there were two walkers under the cave on the other side. They had been stranded there for an hour, and were preparing to stay the night. The tourist track had become unsafe to cross. A slip in the wrong place could easily have you swept away! Im sure most canyoners here would comfortably cross it without a harness (as I would), but to people who aren't used to swift water I can see how it was very intimidating. The harness and helmet gave them their required confidence.

I don't know if you believe in fate or sheer coincidence, but they were extremely lucky that we just happened to be down there with harnesses, helmets and rope in the rain. It was 7pm by this stage and we were certainly the last people on the track for the day! Using the existing hand rail, we 'rescued' the walkers on the other side using a "via-ferrata" set-up. They were extremely grateful.

I've uploaded a video to YouTube with HD footage of the conditions. It gets REALLY good at the end ;)