Party: Bek, Caden, Indy, Jason, Leo, and Sean
In early December 2025 I joined a (non-club) canyoning trip in Northern NSW. We planned to spend 5 days up north with the main objective being to complete the first descent of Fenwicks Creek, located in Cottan-Bimbang NP. We would then tick some other excellent canyons in the surrounding area.
Fenwicks was the southernmost canyon on the ticklist, and became the natural starting point for our trip. Bek and I pull into camp at the respectable time of 8pm, while Sean and Caden arrive at some point after my bedtime. We all enjoy a slow morning while we wait for Indy and Leo to arrive. At 8am the sounds and the smells of the bush are replaced with the roar of a straight piped exhaust and diesel fumes as the last 2 members of the team pull in. We had a quick brief, discussing what anchor material, ropes, and group gear we would each be carrying, as well as some group dynamics and communications.
At 9am the team was piled into the back of my ute, ready to push through the extremely overgrown firetrail. We were eventually stopped by some large fallen trees so we continued on foot. A surprisingly pleasant spur dropped us into the creek, we carefully hopped along the banks before being forced into wetsuits. Some small jumps and downclimbs lead us to the main slot.
I was manning the first anchor in the canyon, a small 10 metre drop. Leo went down first, as he poked his head over the next drop, he got visibly excited. I watched from above as each member of the team got to look down the canyon and celebrate. I finally went down and got a look, the slot we spotted on the LIDAR was real, and rather spectacular. Another small drop and we were in the slot itself, at this point the canyon is less than 2 metres wide.
The next drop was BIG, we set up a traverse line and got a look down the money pitch, a massive 40 metre abseil in full flow. I managed the hanging belay and watched each member of the group enjoy a good rinsing in the flow. Finally it was my turn to descend, I disassembled the traverse line and cleaned the anchor. Just 1.5 metres from the bottom of the pitch the pull strand goes taught, I need to join ropes! While getting absolutely smashed by the water I lock off my descender, grab the end of my rope and tie it to the pull strand. I was relying on muscle memory to do this as I had to look down to create an air bubble so I could breathe! Finally I finish abseiling and escape the flow. I pull the ropes and join the others at the next pitch.
At this point the canyon begins to widen and 3 more small pitches bring us to an open creek. We boulder hop along, gawking at the stinging tree on the banks (a sign of what's to come), finally we reach our exit spur and discuss the canyon. There is some argument about how many stars the canyon deserves, some of the group who were riding the high of a first descent suggested 3 stars, while I suggested 2. No consensus was reached and we began our walk out.
The walk out was up a minor spur, it was steep and full of loose rock, if you dropped off the spur you would be met with dense clusters of giant stinging trees. Dendrocnide excelsa or giant stinging tree is a close relative of the infamous gypmie-gympie, and while its sting is less severe it is still extremely painful and long-lasting, most of the members of the group would become well acquainted with the effects of this plant.
25 minutes into the walk out I use my left hand to grab a tree and pull myself up. I hear someone up ahead call “ROCK!”. I instantly feel a shockwave of pain through my hand and I scream, loudly. This scream would later be described to me as a “PLB scream”. I find my balance and look at my blood soaked hand, I can see the white of bone sticking out of what was left of my middle finger. The fingertip was barely holding on and was bent downwards. Unable to do much, I pull my phone out and snap a selfie. I call up to the people ahead “My finger’s broken!”, they reply, “Are you sure?”. After convincing everyone that I was really injured and that bones do in fact belong inside the body, we find some stable ground and start first aid.
First thing we do is load me up with the best pain-killers on hand. We then straighten the fingertip and bandage everything up. After discussion about exit plans we decide I will walk out. The terrain was still extremely steep and heavily vegetated. The safest plan was to take my backpack off me and get my harness on so we could use it to help me over any steep/scrambly sections. We slowly start moving up the hill, with the leaders carrying secateurs to cut a tunnel through the vines, shrubs, and stinging trees.
Without a pack bush-bashing was extremely easy! At several points I ended up in front and took charge navigating. 4 ½ hours after leaving the creek we finally reached the ute, we all loaded in the tray and returned to camp. After a hectic canyon and walk out we all had 1 thing on our minds, the cold beers in the esky. We all enjoy a tinnie, and some moments of relaxation before starting the 2 hour drive to Tamworth Hospital.
Finally in the hospital I get loaded up with real painkillers. From here I get the usual treatment of xrays, doctors, and a chat with the orthopedic surgeon. I get booked in for surgery and sign some consent forms. The plan is to explore the extent of the damage in theater, with the possible outcomes being, “repair or terminalisation”.
The next day I get wheeled into surgery, I opt to do the procedure under a “ring-block”, which means I’ll be awake. As the surgeons open up the wound they discover that the joint is mostly missing, and it would not be repairable. 10 minutes later I was walking back to the ward with only 9 fingers.
This was a freak accident but some important lessons can still be taken away:
- In loose terrain keeping the group closer together is often safer as rocks have less distance to gain speed
- Take care with your footing when on loose terrain, when you're tired you are more likely to dislodge rocks
- Wear your helmet if rockfall is possible (even when walking)
- Remote area/wilderness first aid is important training
- Keep your first aid kit well stocked with pain relief and bandages
- Work as a group to assist injured people
- Cold beer is excellent motivation
I am lucky that I came away with only a relatively minor injury. The rock didn’t touch any other part of my hand or body. If it hit my (helmeted) head I am unsure I would be able to write this.
My recovery has been going smoothly, with only small adjustments to everyday life. In fact, 3 days later I was back to canyoning. In the roughly 4 weeks since the accident I have canyoned 10+ times, spent 16 hours straight caving, and even done some rock climbing! I am currently packing for a month-long canyoning expedition in Taiwan. Accidents happen to anyone, but you can’t let them hold you back from enjoying the activities you love.
An assortment of activities I've done with only 9 fingers
Thanks to everyone who provided first aid, carried my gear, listened to my codeine-fueled yapping on the walk out, and provided beds, food, and warm showers. Special thanks to Bek who brought me Maccas in the hospital, picked up medication, and accompanied me on the drive home.