So we set off today, before first light, which was terribly exciting for an eight year old. She was beaming so widely I thought her cheeks might split! And talking! I couldn't get a word in edge ways!
About an hour or so later we were there.
It was a cool, clear morning almost perfect for a walk. So we did.
The forest was amazing with massive old trees, wrapped with vines, intermingled with palms.
The pace was fairly lively for the first hour with only brief stops to look at a tree here, a log there.
When the whining tone began to enter her voice I merely dove into a backpack and supplied her with some food. This solution was found during a hike earlier this year and it worked a treat again today.
The odd rest was taken in preparation for the final assault on the summit.
The last few hundred metres were going to be the really interesting ones. When we reached this sign and watched the chain rail swinging around as unseen walkers clung to it, I was wondering if it was such a good idea to have brought an eight year old up here.
But she was beaming again! As far as she was concerned, this was going to be the fun bit. I was not quite so sure. Climbing the 60-70 degree slope looked easy enough, but it was the decending that I was wondering about. It was going to be slippery and that chain looked like a lifeline.
Yes, her mother will have a heart attack when she sees this!!! "Crusty" was having the time of her life though and I was having trouble keeping up. Keen Targhee boots are not the best choice for climbing slippery, wet rockfaces. This section is only about one hundred metres long and was quickly covered so that we could get to the view. It was a perfect day, with almost calm conditions and just a little cumulus cloud trying to form over the Border Ranges, to the north. We could not have hoped for a better day to make the trek and as I was taking in the view a little voice was squeaking out for her Vegemite sandwich as she was "starving". The little voice quietened again, I managed to get some photos of the view. And what a view it is! As the summit is only about ten metres around,there are perfect views in all directions.
All too soon it was time to go. The down bit was slightly sketchy and I must admit to a bit of heart in mouth at times as the hand and foot holds are spaced for an adult, not a child. Lucy did a fine job though and only made one or two leaps of faith!
The walk down was quite a busy one as many walkers made their way to the summit. I have to wonder how many made it because there were many mum, dad and the kids in boat shoes, with no water, puffing like a coronary was imminent at any moment and asking us "is it far"? Totally unprepared, but hey, it is a free country.
Back at the car once again we made our way to the Rainforest Cafe for the milkshake and cake that I had been promising, as a carrot, for the last hour or so. I think it was worth the wait and if the slurping of an empty milkshake glass is any indication my hiking partner was in agreement.
Stats for the walk were 4:40 total time with 2:23 moving and about 720 metres(2300ft) climbing over 9.5 kilometres. That probably explains the 100 or so kilometres she slept through during the drive home.