Today Bushman Bud climbed the magnificant Mt Warning standing at just over 1,100m. The walk up Mt Warning is a beautiful walk through stunning rain forest and cool mountain streams and waterfalls. The walk itself starts with a graded footpath for the first kilometre of the 4.4 klm summit. After that the track, although a slight gradient is covered with rocks and tree roots which can be difficult to walk over when wet. As you come out of the rainforest you have a further 500m walk to the base of a 250m rock scramble. For me this was the highlight of the trip and the only part of the walk providing a challenge. I say that tongue in cheek as the walk was awesome and thoroughly enjoyed. The last 250m starts steep and gets steeper as you close in on the summit. However there are plently of foot and hand holds and you are assisted up by a chain that you can use to scramble this last section.
Today the climb was wet and cloudy so the spectacular views you get from the top were vanquished by the clouds…a real shame. I can say from personal experience though that the views are well worth the effort on a fine day. 8 years ago I climbed the mountain on a fine day and you are rewarded with 360 degrees of the Tweed Valley and surrounding hinterland.
As a little background information Mt Warning was once the heart of a volcano over 2klm high which became extinct over 20 million years ago resulting from a massive eruption which blew the volcano apart. Mt Warning is now the centre point of the volcanic rim of the Tweed River and surrounding Border Ranges, Springbook and Lamington National Parks.
We reached the summit with two children, Joey Jess (7) and Memphis (6)(Jess’ cousin). The kids reaching the summit under their own steam and without help. Mt Warning can be family walk at your own pace with care taken over the rocks and final scramble. Saying that the kids are beeming with excitement and knowledge of their accomplishment.
For all those who wish to camp nearby their is a campsite approx 3 kms from the start of the walk trial.
We came across a few leeches so pick your time of the year.
Get out there and enjoy this magnificent walk and awesome views.
Here is a link for further information: http://www.bigvolcano.com.au/natural/wollum.htm
Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia