It’s been months since I’ve done any sort of decent exercise, and it’s been a year or so since we’ve last done a decent bush walk. So seeing that we’re down in the South Coast, we decided to head up to Pigeon House Mountain.
After driving past the Rainbow Pie Shop and driving along a bit of road, we were soon on dirt road. We managed to find our way to the Pigeon House Mountain car park, and only saw a few other cars there …
So after parking our (now dusty) rental car, and loading up our backpacks with some greasy cheese and bacon bread, and apple scones from Bakers’ Delight, two small bottles of water, my heavy SLR, we headed to the start of the trail …
Hmm … class 4 hiking track …
The trail map suggested “sturdy footwear” and to “carry sufficient water”, and that it was “only suitable for moderately fit people”. Yikes! I felt pretty flabby, my footwear was a canvas shoe suited for city walking, and our two small bottles of water would surely be cancelled out by the salty snacks we brought along … But nevermind! A couple of topless Aussie blokes wearing nothing but shorts and thongs with a bottle of water stashed in their back pockets charged past us along the trail …
After about 5 minutes along the trail, our lungs were bursting and we had to wriggle out of our jumpers. About 15 minutes into the trail we had to crack open the bottles of water … After about the 8th stop for rest, a family with a 6 year old kid was on their way back. We felt a little sheepish.
When we finally reached the steepest point where we had to scale stairs and ladders, my fear of heights kicked in. Another family with a little girl in pink was heading back from the top. I gritted my teeth and put my hands on the railing …
Not ever looking down, and staying at the furthest point from the cliff edge, we finally made it to the top! This was my second trip to Pigeon House Mountain, but the first time I’ve ever reached the top! My hands were clammy and my heart was racing by the time I reached the top … I think going back down might be a problem …
We made it to the top!
Taking in the views
We took in the views (from a safe distance) for as long as we could, but I was now feeling weak, thirsty and hungry!
Going back down was much harder than heading up! Climbing down the ladders was especially difficult as I still couldn’t look down … and scrabbling down the rocks hurt our thigh, calf and shin muscles.
We eventually got back to the car, with no water left, very sore legs, and feeling really hungry. We rewarded ourselves with stale-tasting pies from the Rainbow Pie shop … and a very hot shower.