The Mountain

30 August 2008

Captain Cook named Pigeon House Mountain on April 22, 1770, with the following report in his log:

...saw a remarkable peaked hill which resembles a square dovehouse with a dome on top and for that reason I named it Pigeon House.

- Lieutenant James Cook, HMS Endeavour, April 21, 1770

The local Aborigines have another name for Pigeon House Mountain, Didhol which, roughly translated means “breast”.

The mountain dominates the local landscape, and can even be seen from the ocean (as Cook’s journal would suggest). Despite the imposing figure, it’s a relatively easy three to four hour walk, with the first kilometer being a moderately steep ascent.

Pigeon House is within Morton National Park, and facilities are provided by the National Park and Wildlife Service. These consist of a carpark, drop toilets, picnic area and, of course, the well maintained track and ladders at the top.

The first kilometre or so of the hike is a quite steep ascent, before moving onto a relatively flat ridge. The “third stage” of the hike consists of climbing many stairs up the main slope of Pigeon House, before making way to the top through the use of some metal ladders.

It’s a very popular hike and it would be a rare day you don’t find people going up. However, there are two little-known rules when hiking the Pigeon House track:

1. There is a café at the peak.

This rule seems to particularly apply to walkers of the fairer sex when traveling with their spouse/partner. You must agree to the commonly held belief that there is in fact a café at the peak, even if you’re on your way down.

2. “Almost There”

If you are returning, and see other walkers heading up, you must say “Almost there!” in a cheery voice. You could mix it up a bit and say “Not too far now,” if you desire. The only time this rule doesn’t apply is if you are in the first stretch from the carpark, when you have to say, “Don’t worry, this is the hardest part.”

The Trip

So it was with calm nerves that the TriHards met at Blondie’s Café in Termeil for breakfast before embarking on yet another adventurous trip into nowhere. This time, however, Bas had decided to bring the entire family, Jo, Ava and Jo’s sister Kim. Whether this was because Bas wanted to bring them all along, or because he wanted to test out the new backpack he purchased to carry Ava, only Bas will know.

I had done the hike a number of times prior to this, normally hungover, so was confident in our ability to undertake the trek, even with a baby on board. So, we all moved to the Adventure Truck and set off for Pigeon House. The road to Pigeon House is through Yadboro, and is an old forestry trail, so can get a bit rough at time, but just about any car should make it; I even made it in my old falcon (on one of those hungover hikes).

At the carpark we geared up and prepared for the hike ahead. We set off around 11.00 a.m.

With Sherpa Bas and Sherpa Chris loaded up, we set off on the first, steepest part of the trail.

Ava was enjoying the trip greatly at this stage, lolling about in the pack, and waiting for her aunt and mother to catch up. It was about this point I started my ritual “Almost there” chant, which everyone else took to mean almost at the top of the mountain (in fact, I meant, we weren’t too far from the first rocky outcrop where we’d take a break - and by not too far, I meant around half way; I’m a glass is half full kind of guy).

The first stretch did prove tough, as usual, but it wasn’t long before we had reached the first rocky outcrop where we could take a break (after climbing up a few rocks). It was a fantastic, clear day providing great views even from this height. Jo suggested that, given we had such a great view, there really wasn’t any need to go any further.

It was at this first break that we met up with some other trekkers, three ladies who had already been to the top. They dutifully followed rule 2, and told us we didn’t have much farther to go, and congratulated (or commiserated) Mr Bas on being dutiful and carrying Ava up the mountain.

So, rested, and encouraged by strangers, Ava, Bas, Jo, Kim and I pushed on up the mountain, after all, what else is there to do with a mountain? Jo did a final check of the Ava unit, and we headed off along the plateau.

The walk along the plateau is quite nice, and easy (flat), and this time of year many of the bushes had flowers in bloom, which was very nice to look at, though it was disturbing having so many bees buzzing around. That reminded me that I did not have my first aid kit in my pack, nor was I carrying any antihistamines...

I had never actually seen the flowers in bloom before, mainly because not only was I generally foolish enough to hike Pigeon House with a hangover, but it was normally in the height of summer as well.

The remainder of the walk along the flat was pretty easy going, and as we approached the end of the flat trail, I called “Nearly there” to the group, signifying that we were almost at the end of the flat. They, of course, had seen the peak during the walk and knew how far we were from the top, and discounted my words, believing I meant we were nearly at the top.

I consider stage three to be the hardest part of the hike, where you seem to climb an endless amount of stairs to reach the granite peak of Pigeon House. I do recall passing a child as I came down once, counting the stairs, and he was up to something like 720, which serves as a bit of an indicator as to how many stairs there are.

Mr Bas made short work of the stairs, with Ava happily bouncing in rhythm on his back. I don’t think Jo and Kim were enjoying it quite as much as her.

However, such a pace could not last, and poor Ava was wearying from all those stairs. So, Bas, being the caring and considerate father he is, elected to take a break and give the poor baby a rest.

Fortunately, being young, Ava recovered quickly and we were off again. I once more informed the group that we were, in fact, almost there (meaning, of course, that we weren’t too far from the start of the ladder section). I thought this may encourage everyone, but it turns out they just didn’t believe me anymore.

There is a bench at the bottom of the ladders, where travellers can stop for a break at and rest their weary, stair climbing legs. We all stopped, and I had just recounted my marvelous tale of my first climb up Pigeon House, when I was about ready to give up at that point (the hangover getting the better of me) when I saw a topless woman scale the ladder. Of course, that encouraged me to continue (of course, it was because I couldn’t be beaten by a girl, it had nothing to do with her lack of attire). Within moments of telling the story, a topless bloke in board shorts shot up the trail, and climbed the ladder (to Kim’s delight). I’m sure she wanted to head off straight away.

From the rest stop, it was a simple climb up some ladders to reach the peak; Kim needed no further encouragement for the last stage, and Mr Bas was by now quite confident with the Magic Ava pack. I told everyone that we were definitely almost there now (meaning, of course, that we were in fact near the top of the mountain) but I think that by this stage not even Ava was believing it.

We reached the top, and Sherpa Bas was attended to by his two vestal virgins, who removed his pack such that we could fly the TriHards flag atop Pigeon House.

With the obligatory photo opportunity out of the road, we settled in for some lunch, and to take some photos of the panoramic view from the peak.

The Castle, a formidable climb is the next challenge facing the TriHards; it should take a good day (eight hours) or maybe two, with a camp in the saddle to allow for some really good exploration of the peaks. Of course, that will have to come after the AROC season comes to a close!

With the eating and pictures done, and all parties taking a break (particularly the Sherpas), we were ready to head back down again. The trip down was relatively straightforward. We passed an older couple on the ladders who congratulated Mr Bas on undertaking the trek carrying the load of Ava; and backing up the husband’s story of a café on the top, obeying rule one. We also passed a number of other hikers on the way down, dutifully obeying rule two, and receiving congratulations and admiration for Bas for his magnificent effort in performing the trek with the extra load. Ava, of course, was oblivious to all the attention; however she will always be known (at least to me) as the lady who can climb Pigeon House in her sleep.

We made short order of the return trip with Bas and I returning to the carpark at 2.00 p.m. (according to Bas’s watch), which meant we did the walk in three hours. Kim and Jo returned shortly thereafter, no doubt because Kim was straggling in hopes to find the beach boy on the trail once more.

After all the effort, poor Ava needed a change, which was well performed by Bas, Jo and Kim in the back of the adventure truck (it’s good to have a ute!) before we returned to Sweaty Palms where the thirsty sherpas could enjoy a cold beer, coffee, and break, while the ladies enjoyed a quick craft session.

All in all, a most enjoyable trip (and in a good time! Not that that’s important), with no injuries, which is also important!