About
The Fat Canyoners Club, as quirky as the concept may seem, is unfortunately no more than a handful of friends drawn together by two things: a love of nature and a lack of fitness. Born out of the deranged ramblings of a multi-day canyoning trip on the Bungleboori, where the heat and fatigue led us to both curse the effects of age, office work and family on our physiques, and develop an impromptu Fat Canyoners Club theme song (renditions readily available after a few glasses of wine around the camp fire).
This website is a compilation of trip reports and photos from some of our trips, covering everything from easy day trips to long multi-day efforts, with a mix of bushwalking, canyoning and caving depending on the season and our interests.
We mostly walk with the Sydney University Bushwalkers and regularly run trips suitable for beginners and less experienced walkers. If you want to join us feel free to become a member of Suboir or drop us an email.
Oh, and I’ll let Homer Simpson have the last word on why we do what we do. (Which is only fitting as I once had a woman tell me I was her perfect man because I reminded her of Homer. Turns out she wanted a man she could cook and clean for and generally look after. Unfortunately my campaign to legalise polygamy following this came to nothing.)
Bjorn.I.am
August 3, 2010
Tim is the one in the second (portrait) pic.
The handsome fellow in the top picture is Bjorn.I.am who (considers himself) an honorary fat canyoner, after paying his dues carrying the senior (in the literal sense of the word) members ropes and beating them up 600m exit climbs with a leg requiring 8 stitches.
Tim Vollmer
August 4, 2010
Just to clarify Mr Storm Mountain’s tale of woe (and I do need to write up a trip report on this one) but on the Ranon Canyon trip where you scored the gash to your leg requiring 8 stitches you not only didn’t carry our ropes, but I seem to recall strapping your pack to mine after it broke. Sure you’ve been the rope bitch plenty of times since, but not when injured!
Canyoning Castellane
January 28, 2012
Hi, i’m come from France, and I have a small question …
What is the kind of rock on your country ?
On the pictures they look like “sandstone”, no ?
Thanks,
Gilles.
Tim Vollmer
January 28, 2012
Gilles, the vast majority of our canyons in the Blue Mountains are sandstone. Canyons cut through sandstone generally produce the deepest, narrowest and darkest constrictions.
In other areas close to Sydney we also have canyons cut through other rock types, such as metamorphosed quartz. There are also a small number of canyons in limestone rock. These last two rock types generally produce more open canyons.
Gilou
January 30, 2012
Ok, and thank you for your reply.
In France, we have essentially canyons in limestone or granite.
This gives completely different geological configurations.
Would you be interested to publish an article on your blog, talking about the canyoning in France?
I can give you photos and descriptive text for the canyons.
See you soon,
Gilles.
Tim Vollmer
January 30, 2012
Thanks for the offer, but all the articles on our site are based on our own trips. I would love to get over to Europe to try some canyoning there. I think it is best that we save the write-up for that time. When I do eventually get the time and money to do a trip I will be sure to send you an email to get the info on the best areas / canyons.
Canyoning Castellane
January 30, 2012
I understand, no problem!
I love your blog, and it has changed my view of Australia.
For me your country was very flat and dry, with just a few wild kangaroos eating dry leaves …
But your articles persuaded me to visit you one day !!!
See you soon,
Gilles.
Tim Vollmer
January 30, 2012
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the blog. When you do eventually make it to Australia drop us a line. I’m sure we will be able to take you out to visit a few of our more spectacular canyons!