Climb Mt Tibrogargan 2-9 July

Glass House under threat of closure.

The Glasshouse mountains for some time have been under threat of closure to satisfy the irrational demands of local Aboriginal Groups and likely the wishes of Queensland government park authorities who are finding it difficult to manage these beautiful places from the comfort of desks in the Brisbane CBD. No one is forcing people to climb. If people don't want to climb and enjoy the adventure, exhilaration, and look over the remarkable landscape to see how special it is, for whatever reason then don't climb. At the same time it is morally wrong to force your opinions and beliefs on others.

QNPS are now giving credence to this morally reprehensible view and endorsing a Naidoc week event at Mt Tibrogargan for which they urge people not to climb. Officially the climb is open - so in respect of our beliefs of freedom of movement in public places I encourage all readers if they live close (Brisbane is about an hour drive away) to make an effort and climb during that week.

My experience with Ayers Rock, Mt Warning, Mt Gillen etc has been that these short-term closures soon progress to full-scale bans on public access. Don't be fooled! This event is a trojan horse that will no doubt be manipulated by QNPS as an indication of public opinion and set the scene for a future ban. Let your feet do the talking and climb.

Mt Tibrogargan

“These hills… are remarkable for the singular form of their elevation, which very much resembles a glass house, and for this reason I called them the Glass Houses…” Captain James Cook, 17 May, 1770

Mt Tibrogargan is the third highest peak of the Glasshouse Mountains being 192m shorter than the tallest of the group (Mount Beerwah at 556m). The view from the summit is a spectacular vista over the surrounding coastal plain and the other 13 members of the Glasshouse Group. The trek to the summit is used on a daily basis by bushwalkers and rock climbers. The trail is steep and involves sections of scrambling up steep sections of the rhyolite rock. These areas provide good foot and hand holds. This is an exhilarating experience due largely to the exposure. I'd suggest first time climbers go with someone more experienced and son't attempt if the rock is wet after rain.

From QNPS website

Some good advice in a post by Rhi at Aussie Bushwalking:

Tibro is a challenging climb but well worth the effort. It isn't for the faint of heart - most of the trail requires scrambling and there are few flat ledges large enough for several people to rest. It starts with an uphill trail until you reach 'chicken rock', which is the steepest portion of the climb. From there, it is more of a scramble than a climb, but it doesn't get easier if you're afraid of heights. At the summit, continue through to the other side for great views over the sunshine coast.

Good fitness levels are needed for this climb and wear good running/approach shoes with decent grip (no hiking boots!). Don't attempt this in the wet. I was glad to have had some rock climbing experience before tackling Tibro and I would recommend doing this hike/scramble with someone who has climbed before.

Mount Warning: Aboriginal claims about summit climb are contested

"How can the public experience the spiritual significance of this land if they do not climb the summit and witness creation." Ngaraakwal Elder Marlene Boyd RIP NSW NPWS have the following description about Aboriginal attitudes to people climbing to the summit of Mt Warning on their webpage about the walking track: Wollumbin, which means ‘cloud catcher’ to some Aboriginal People, is a traditional place of cultural law, initiation and spiritual education for the people of the Bundjalung Nation. Under Bundjalung law, only certain people can climb the summit. Out of respect for their law and culture, consider not climbing the summit. These claims, including the very name applied to the mountain, are contested and it seems there is another story that NSW NPWS have not properly acknowledged and have long kept from public attention. We came across this article from the Daily News February 24 2007 about Ngaraakwal Elder Marlene Boyd that makes for interesting reading. It seems

Mt Warning - Summit signing, time capsule

A Mt Warning Visit, summit signing Drove up the long road from Sydney, leaving early to grab a beer at the Mt Warning Hotel at Uki in the afternoon. There's a nice view of the summit from the smoker's deck. The tip of the mountain was catching clouds and then letting them go. I met Roger, a one-legged ex- navy seal and former security guard to Gloria Estafan. He was an interesting bloke, sucking a large Cuban cigar and slamming spiced rum on ice. He had one eye, apparently, he had lost the other blue pearl in a firefight with Somali terrorists in the Persian Gulf. We had a brief discussion of current affairs and the insanity of public parks being closed for no good reason, and vandalism of the tourism industry by a woke broken Bureaucracy - just light conversation. I mentioned I had a mission that might suit him and he agreed to join in. We headed to the Mt Warning Rainforest Caravan Park. Mt Warning from the Mt Warning Hotel Roads around the area are still not repaired from la

17th death on the Rock

17th death on the Rock ABC report that a 76 year old Japanese man collapsed on the steep part of the climb and despite first aid, was not able to be revived. The elderly Japanese man likely died as a result of heart complications, probably brought on by existing (perhaps unknown) medical conditions and over exerting himself. He appears to have died revelling in the opportunity life provides. RIP Brother of the Rock. Our thoughts with his family and the first attenders who did their best to treat him. It's sad, but life goes on, and so should the climb. His death marks the 17th death ON the Rock since 26 May 1962 when 16 year old school boy Brian Strieff, on a school excursion with Carey Grammar, wondered off the main path in heavy fog on the way down and fell to his death. ABC's report indicate it is the 37th death, but these figures from Parks Australia have not been substantiated. It seems that many of the deaths Parks Australia claim to have occurred ON the Rock occurr

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