Buchanan's Fort, November 2008

Greg, Shannon and Joel had stayed up on Buchanan's Fort the previous year in 2007.  Ross and Dominic joined them this time for a great night up on the mountain.  It was tremendous fun with the highlight being an early afternoon storm passing through.  We noticed at 2 o'clock on the first day a storm approaching.  After trying without success to set up an emergency tarp in a tree on the side of a cliff we took shelter in our little tents as a wall of water hit.  After an hour of lightening, thunder, wind and horizontal rain the storm passed.  We took some great photos and videos that you can enjoy here on our blog.

Flinders Peak, July 2008

Twelve of us hit the track for this great little day walk.   We left the car park at 8.30am and reached the peak at 1.30pm.   The track is a little challenging in places as it can get steep and there is some rock hopping to do.   You are rewarded with great views on the way up, the odd cave here and there and sensational 360 degree views at the top.   We were treated with a nice clear day and we could see Brisbane and Amberley in the distance.    We also spotted a mysterious white object on a rocky outcrop... and still not sure what it is?  

Mt Barney up SE Ridge, April 2008 - Overnight

Greg's nephew Ned joined us for another eventful trip up Mt Barney.   This was our first time up Sout-East Ridge, more spectacular and risky than Peasants.   Words like "air-iness" and "hand-jams" are used in the trail guides.   Leaving the car park it was windy and cold and as the day went on it started raining.  We pushed on, climbing up the ridge for 10 hours until we reached a spot near the top.  It was windy, raining and we could see trees on the summit whipping around in the wind.  We decided it seemed pointless camping on the mountain in a gale.   An hour from the top we made the decision to turn back.  The weather was just no good and Ned was feeling ill and looking pale.   Also at this time the legend of the "wobbly rock" was born.   With no one willing to lose face by making the call to turn back, a small rock that blocked our way up the mountain became a scape goat!  And so after 10 hours of hiking we went back down.   After another 4 hours of bolting down the mountain in fading light, exhausted we set-up camp in the dark, and ate as we usually do on hikes - like kings!   Sleep was only broken by the sound of Ned vomiting out the flap of his tent at some early hour.   After a guzzle of Dominic's Gatorade Ned went back to counting Z's.   Next morning we had breakfast, packed up and headed home.   All up it was still a great trip.