Take a hike!

A few brief years ago our merry group set off to climb a ‘mountain’. Tabletop Mountain — in S.E. Queensland — is no Everest, but it was challenge enough for us. Spring’s searing sun was already high when we abandoned our cars at its base. As the track was neither marked nor maintained, we were grateful to a chirpy, fit teenager climbing with us. Having completed the hike on a previous occasion, she agilely scampered up the incline, calling encouragement down to us. We would have been clueless without her guidance.

Clearly, I’d been grossly negligent in equipping my daughter with bushwalking skills. She was aghast at the absence of handrails to safeguard us from numerous drop offs. Sadly, due to a previously unrealised fear of heights, a couple in our group were unable reach the summit. They waved us on past them. A trio of steamy hours later… our expedition finally ended.

However, my appetite had been whetted regarding Tabletop Mountain. Bright, cool and early on the morrow, with my longsuffering daughter in tow… we were well into a rerun… the stopwatch was ticking! How quickly could we do it? Several times I stumbled… once almost grabbing a painful, palmful of Prickly Pear needles. I certainly didn’t fancy my hand as a pincushion! Scrambling up the scree, slipping and sliding across it... this was more like it! Yesterday, we’d discovered it was much easier and safer to ascend the rock face on a diagonal… crablike.

After a two second glance at the view and a cool swig of water to slake our thirst, we rapidly retraced our steps. Did I mention the stopwatch was ticking? Down, down, down we went… with reckless abandon. Bounding from boulder to boulder, scampering back across the loose rocks, overbalancing and thumping down onto a well-padded section of my anatomy… little slowed our pace nor dimmed our enthusiasm. In an eye blink and a few swift strides, we reached our car. The stopwatch declared: One Hour! We were tired but triumphant... and amazingly uninjured.

What a contrast! A few years on... an autumn day dawned fresh, crisp and clear… but I missed it! Sleep held me captive, and I… I made no attempt to escape it clutches! A little later, like a colt at the starter gate, brim-full of energy, I was raring to renew my acquaintance with Tabletop Mountain.

My trusty hiking companion Theresa held reservations about the summit's steep elevation and challenging terrain. Heights didn't rank in the Top 5 of her ‘Favourite Things’. I parked almost hugging the base of the mountain, knowing we'd appreciate its proximity in an hour or two.

Soon, we were huffing and puffing, up one massive stone step after another… up to the Camel Hump. Well named, from atop it we gazed down at my car comfortably crouched sixty metres below… any excuse for a breather, even so early in the day, in our adventure. Not racing against the clock meant we captured a few photos along the way.

Next, we waded through waist high Bladey Grass hoping the snakes were awake and occupied elsewhere. They were! Likewise, I hoped any lurking Paralysis Ticks were fasting… or would choose some other poor ‘bunny’ to latch onto and sample their lifeblood. Eek! Surely our long pants would be an adequate deterrent. I suppressed a shudder. Thankfully, there’d been no rainfall recently. I am almost phobic regarding writhing, slimy, leeches!

I concentrated on keeping upright… no mean feat when traversing the slope strewn with stones carelessly spilt from a giant’s marble bag. The moment of truth arrived. Theresa gamely tackled the rock face, a curved wall of basalt columns forming conveniently placed handholds and steps. We slammed the door on all thoughts of tumbling down onto the rocks waiting below… or of a Medivac helicopter hurtling to our rescue! Both, not uncommon occurrences on this track. On all fours — always keeping three points of contact and eyes glued to the smooth volcanic rock — we inched steadily upwards. Both muscles and nerves were granted a welcome reprieve on arriving at the top. Theresa had bravely overcome her aversion heights… one handhold and step at a time.

We made it! A few bars of chocolate were a delicious reward. Hearts soaring, we drank in an eagle’s view stretching to the horizon. A playful breeze cooled our sweaty brows. Meandering along the summit’s circuit trail, we were rewarded with delightful 360° views of mountains bush and farmland. It was far more picturesque than the drought-stricken view of my previous visit.

One hour later, rosy cheeked and pleasantly exhausted, we gladly sighted my car resting below us. Traipsing down the final slope, the promise of an icy milkshake in an air-conditioned café spurred us onwards.

Looking back on these photos so carelessly snapped that memorable day, I'm struck by how much I’ve missed Tabletop Mountain… it’s about time for another visit!

Written for “Through the Lens” Challenge…