West Cape Howe
Also known as: WCH
Southern-Ocean-cliffs; WA-mainland's-southernmost-point; dramatic
The climbing
What there is to climb at West Cape Howe, and whether a mixed-ability group can split up here.
extensive; ~200+ routes (theCrag)
The Climb 18; Andromeda 15; Mystery 21; Body Builder 23; Di Wa Didi 23; Orion 17
grade-range-12-23-plus; serious-setting-limits-splitting; keep-parties-experienced
abseil-in-to-tidal-belays; NOT-for-beginners; experienced-committed-parties-only
Rock & setting
dolerite-and-granite; mostly-solid; sea-washed-lower-sections
dolerite-and-granite-sea-cliff; single-and-multi-pitch-to-60m; cracks-aretes-slabs-faces; committing; abseil-to-sea-level-belays
south-facing-ocean-cliffs; exposed-to-swell-and-wind
quiet-remote; serious-nature-deters-crowds
Season & conditions
needs-swell-under-2m-and-low-wind; check-swell-and-tide-forecast; conditions-change-fast
Nov-Apr; calm-low-swell-windows
whale-migration-viewing; dolphins
big-Southern-Ocean-swell; king-waves; sudden-wind-rain; tide
Approach & gear
West-Cape-Howe-National-Park-DBCA; day-use; no-climbing-permit; standard-park-rules. Confirm.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
4WD-sandy-track-or-1.5-2hr-walk-from-Shelley-Beach; then-abseil-to-cliffs
~30km-W-of-Albany; via-West-Cape-Howe-NP; 4WD-recommended-for-inner-tracks. Confirm.
full-trad-rack; 50-60m-static-abseil-rope; extra-anchor-gear; limited-reception. Confirm.
Shelley-Beach-Campground-tents-drop-toilets-no-caravans; Albany-and-Denmark-30km
none-at-cliff; drop-toilets-bins-at-Shelley-Beach-Campground
Bolting & safety
trad-and-natural-anchors; build-belay-and-rap-anchors; few-fixed-bolts-sea-corrosion. Confirm.
king-waves-stay-tied-in; swell; tide; rockfall; abseil-commitment; cold-water
advanced-sea-cliff-and-abseil-skills-essential; commercial-guiding-uncommon
remote; limited-reception; carry-PLB; Albany-hospital; marine-rescue
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand crag report. Coordinates are approximate.