Mount Bowen - descent via 'the thumb'

[Skid]

Hi all,

Has anyone done the descent of Mount Bowen via 'the thumb'?

I have found some trail notes but they are of limited help, they state "It is essential to locate the correct descent gully as all others end in cliffs". But they give no indication on how to locate the correct gully!

I have climbed Bowen before, via the 'normal' route of Warrawilla creek. I have also climbed Pineapple ridge (up to 'the wart')

If the weather gods are willing, the next trip may be an ascent via pineapple ridge and descent via the thumb.

Any info on the route around 'the wart' to the saddle, or from 'the thumb' down would be greatly appreciated

[Don R]

Have done the Thumb to Mt Bowen and vice a versa three or more times (albeit 20 years ago). Similarly have gone up Pineapple Ridge about four times in the same time frame. The descent to the Thumb is quite steep, you would be best to follow the ridge from Mt Bowen as far as convenient and eye ball the route. The Thumb saddle is very small,so don't expect any sort of huge spur. Be gentle with it. A simpler alternative is to rock hop up Zoe Creek past Concordia and climb up the ridges, past the waterfalls, to Thumb saddle. A stroppy party can get from the NPWS track to the bottom of Thumb Creek easily in a day and, with skill, make it to Thumb saddle in a solid day. The scunge around the side of Zoe Creek (Nth) is quite thick.There is a small watercourse and picturesque set of small falls hidden in the forest where Thumb Creek hits Zoe Creek.

As regards, getting around "Buddha" the large rocky monolith astride the top of Pineapple Ridge, you can turn left and contour into the very top of the creek heading to Causarina Saddle but that is very steep and scungy otherwise the better option is to go to the right of "Buddha" and head around it. There is a small rope haul. BTW last time there 1991.

[Skid]

Don,
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Long story short, we didn't attempt the thumb. However your comments on Pineapple Ridge helped us get around "Buddha" (aka "the Wart").
Thanks again.