3rd Arrow Cave
The 3rd Arrow Cave is shown on the map and in the accompanying photographs. It is tucked into the northern side of the North Buttress and is one of the most important camp and navigation features in the 3rd Arrow section.
The map shows the relationship between Navigation Point 7, Navigation Point 8, the Central Gully, the 3rd Arrow Cave and the lower small cave route. It also helps show why this area can be confusing. On the map the thicker yellow route marks the main route, while the orange line marks the alternative lower route.
Reaching the 3rd Arrow Cave confirms that you have successfully traversed under the North Buttress rather than continuing directly through the Central Gully. If you are heading to the cave from Navigation Point 7, the route drops diagonally in a north westerly direction towards the base of the North Buttress rather than continuing straight ahead on the higher line.
Leaving the cave, the standard continuation is to traverse west around the base of the North Buttress to Navigation Point 8, until you meet up again with the main track that comes through the Central Gully. If you keep the base of North Buttress close and avoid drifting out into the slope, the line naturally curves back onto the same contour band as the main route.
Some walkers instead choose to retrace their steps slightly. Rather than leaving the cave and heading west, they leave in an easterly direction, then hug the North Buttress and climb south towards the base of the Central Buttress. This leads back in a westerly direction towards the Central Gully and the high point between the Central Buttress and North Buttress. This is also the location of one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the entire ridge walk, with a steep grassy descent dropping away below.
Used together, the map and photographs make the 3rd Arrow Cave easier to understand. The map shows how the cave sits between the lower route and the main route. The broad photograph from the approach to Ellen Peak shows the whole 3rd Arrow structure. The cave photograph shows the actual approach from Navigation Point 7. The view east from the cave shows how the lower route connects back towards the Small Cave and Pyungoorup Peak.
Looking south to Third Arrow from the North East Track
This photograph is taken from the approach to Ellen Peak, looking south towards Third Arrow. It provides one of the best overall perspectives of the Third Arrow system before you arrive there, helping to put the surrounding terrain and route options into context.
On the map, the main track is shown in yellow, while the optional variations are shown in orange. In this photograph, the main track has been highlighted in red to distinguish it from the orange optional variations.
From left to right, the photograph shows the track continuing from Baker's Knob to Navigation Point 6 (Rock Turret), Little Arrow, the Small Cave, Navigation Point 7 at the base of East Pinnacle Gully, the route leading to Central Gully, Third Arrow Cave, Navigation Point 8 at the base of Central Gully, and the track continuing towards Second Arrow. The red line highlights the main track, while the orange variation follows the route from Navigation Point 6, past the Small Cave, to Navigation Point 7, before continuing across to Central Gully and Navigation Point 8.
Use this photograph to familiarise yourself with the overall layout of this section of the Stirling Ridge Walk before you arrive there. Rather than viewing Third Arrow Cave, Navigation Point 7, and Navigation Point 8 as isolated destinations, you can see how they are connected within the broader structure of the mountain. When viewed together with the map, this photograph provides a clear mental picture of the terrain and route options between Rock Turret and Second Arrow, making it easier to recognise these features as you encounter them on the walk.
Third Arrow Cave
This photograph shows Third Arrow Cave on the approach from the Small Cave. From this direction, the cave is generally easier to identify than when approaching from Navigation Point 7 at the base of East Pinnacle Gully, when you will be you much closer to the base of the North Buttress and do not get this overall view.
The cave is tucked beneath the towering cliffs of the North Buttress, which helps explain why walkers approaching from East Pinnacle Gully can sometimes pass beneath it without realising it is there.
As you approach from the Small Cave or Navigation Point 7 at the base of East Pinnacle Gully, watch for the turn, at base of North Buttress, that leaves the main track and climbs a short distance to the cave. The ascent involves a short, straightforward rock scramble to reach one of the most impressive camping caves along the Stirling Ridge Walk.
Once you know where to look, the cave becomes an obvious landmark and is easy to recognise on future visits.
Looking east towards Small Cave and Pyungoorup Peak
This photograph is taken from Third Arrow Cave, looking east towards the Small Cave and Pyungoorup Peak. It provides a clear overview of the route options connecting Navigation Point 6, Navigation Point 7, and Third Arrow Cave.
In this photograph, the main track has been highlighted in red, while the optional variation has been highlighted in orange. On the map, the main track is shown in yellow, while the optional variation is shown in orange.
The red line follows the main track between Navigation Point 7 and Third Arrow Cave. The orange variation provides an alternative route between Navigation Point 6 and Navigation Point 7, passing the Small Cave before climbing to Navigation Point 7. From the Small Cave, you can also traverse almost on the contour in a westerly direction to the base of the North Buttress, where the large Third Arrow Cave is located.
Although it is possible to descend from Navigation Point 7 to the Small Cave, this would be an unusual choice. If your intention is to visit the Small Cave, the variation would normally be taken from Navigation Point 6. This photograph clearly shows how you can leave the main track at Navigation Point 6, visit the Small Cave, continue past it, and then ascend to Navigation Point 7 before continuing west towards Central Gully and Navigation Point 8 and then 2nd Arrow.
Use this photograph together with the map to understand how the Small Cave, Third Arrow Cave, and Navigation Point 7 are connected beneath the North Buttress. Whether you are continuing east towards Navigation Point 7, Ellen Peak and beyond, or leaving Third Arrow Cave and heading west towards Navigation Point 8 and Second Arrow, this photograph provides a useful overview of the route options before continuing your journey.
Video Explanation