Mt Ngungun

Today was 'climb Mt Ngungung' day. I didn't sleep much last night as i was excited but when i did sleep i had those terrible dreams where you are waking up hours after you should have been somewhere. it was 8am in my dream and we needed to meet at the gym at 6am. eeek. (bit like those dreams where you go to school nude or wear your pj's) Anyway, i woke up at 5am (sun's up at 4.45am so it was bright daylight) and set off to get ready and head up the mountain. We met at the gym at 6am so arrived at the Mountain by about 6.30am. The climb is fairly easy at the start with steep hills and steps then you turn the corner after about 5mins to see a really steep section with rocks, rubble and clay.



Half way up this section was the most awesome cave (photo's to come soon) and overhang so we had to do the group photo there which then wasted another 10mins. The rest of the climb is steep and more rocks and rubble and tree roots so we were dusty, dirty and sweaty when we reached the top. Once you get to the top there isn't much flat ground, just more rocks and rubble to stand on.



By the time we mucked about taking more photo's and just watch the world pass by, we decided that it was time to tackle going down the hill. (for more photos).

If your wondering why i'm in pink and the rest are in black well that's 'team holly'. I climbed with her team today as Jayne couldn't make it.




The mountain is graded Difficult - Level 4 (which is a higher grade than Mt Coolum) but you don't realise when you've got a view like that.


If you are ever coming up here, it's well worth the climb.

Wk 10 of the 'Challenge'

Last weekend on saturday, Jayne had me booked in for Kayaking. the weather was spectacular with no clouds (does Qld have clouds?), no wind and a beautiful 25 deg (yes it's hot by 7am already).

so we carried the kayaks down to Bell's Creek (it's just near Golden Beach only a bit further south along the Pumistone Passage). Unfortunately for us, it was low tide but i didn't really care as i just love being out on the water.

We paddled and paddled and occassionally had a free ride when i jumped into Jayne's wake on the boat (i did get busted doing that), watched the fish jump, see the mountains and generally watched the world pass by. Exercise? Was this exercise? What a great 2 hrs of exercise. Although feeling disappointed after getting out of the water that we couldn't paddle all day, on Sunday morning i realised that it was definately exercise and i was glad i didn't paddle all day. my shoulders were sore and my neck too and who knows what i did to my wrist.

anyway, back in business this week, injuries and sore muscles are gone and tonight we have fitness testing again.

Wk 8 - Weigh in and Measurements

last night was our weigh and measure night. i had sweaty hands, nervous wee's (as you do). The thought of the scales was starting to FREAK ME OUT!!!!

But, 8 weeks in and almost now 7kg down, i probably shouldn't have stressed as much. the blood sweat and definately lots of tears is paying off. All thanks to Jayne and lots of hard hard work.

:-)

Week 8 of the 12 Week Challenge

Tomorrow night is the 3rd weight in. It should be Saturday morning but there is an open day at the gym so we have to do it tomorrow night. I"m getting a little nervous as i haven't worked as hard this week as i've had another dreaded cold.

This saturday is an all in group session at the gym so no beach training session for me this saturday but after speaking with Jayne after my P/T session this morning here is what's install for me over the next few saturdays remaining in the challenge:

1. Moffat Beach, beach session. There is a rather steep hill at Moffat Beach called "Queen of the Colonies" and we are going to have the pleasure of running up that as well as some beach work with a spare car tyre.

2. Kayaking - a lovely leasurly paddling through Pumistone Passage proving that exercise isn't all about sweaty smelly training. It's supposed to be hard yakka but with my dragonboating, love for kayaking and a spectacular backdrop it can't be that bad can it? :-)

3. Climb Mt Ngungun - Mount who? you are asking. well here's some details that david just sent me. This mountain makes Mt Coolum look like a baby blimp and a walk in the park compared to the challenge of Mt Ngungun. And the good news is, yes there has been several snake sightings recently with all this hot and dusty weather. oh yeah.

Details of the Mountain (part of the Glasshouse Mountains):

Mount Ngungun (253m above sea level) - 2.2km return (Allow 2 hours)

Class 4 Mount Ngungun is about 3km from Glass House Mountains township via Coonowrin and Fullertons Roads. This summit provides spectacular views of all four major mountain peaks. The track starts at the carpark and is relatively short but steep in places and may be unstable in some sections. Family groups should be careful, as the track passes close to the cliff line. Adults should supervise children at all times. This track can become very slippery when wet.

Class 4 track (Australian Standards)
Distinct track usually with steep exposed inclines or many steps.
Caution needed on loose gravel surfaces and exposed natural lookouts.
Moderate level of fitness and ankle-supporting footwear required.
Named by Cook during his epic voyage along Australia's east coast, the Glass House Mountains are rhyolitic volcanic plugs left by volcanic activity millions of years ago. This area has special significance for the Gubbi Gubbi Aboriginal people.
Remnants of the open eucalypt woodland and mountain heath vegetation, which once covered the coastal plains, provide a home for an interesting variety of wildlife including 26 rare and threatened plants.

This steep 700 metre trail goes straight up the 253 metre high mountain, through open eucalypt forest past the cave to an informal lookout over the Glass House Mountains township and surroundings.

The walk continues up the bare rock face then takes you along a narrow path to the summit, where you are rewarded by the fabulous views. From here, you can see all the other surrounding mountains and the green patchwork of farmlands below.

ABOUT THE WALK
Distance: 1.4 kilometres

Duration: 1-2 hours

Category: Short Walk

Difficulty: Hard

Type: Return
Start Point: From the car park off the access road.

Walk Highlights
Volcanic peaks
Mountain heath vegetation
Open eucalypt woodland
Coastal views

Walk Hints
The track is up the southern side of the mountain so it is sheltered most of the way.
Take plenty of drinking water and wear a hat and sunscreen.
This trail is rough and uneven and should only be attempted by fit walkers. Be careful after rain and never walk when it is raining, as the track gets quite slippery.
Take care near the summit and always wear insect repellent in summer.
Take your camera to capture the stunning view from the top!

Best Time To Go (by now i'm thinking there isn't a good time to go)
Do this walk early in the morning and enjoy the wildflowers in spring.

How to get There
The Glass House Mountains are west of the old highway between Beerburrum and Beerwah. Access to Mount Ngungun and Mount Beerwah is from the Glass House Mountains township via Coonowrin and Fullertons Road. Mount Ngungun is 2 kilometres from the Glass House Mountains railway station.

So here's to my next challenge of climbing another beautiful part of this coast.