Pigeon House Mountain with kids!

With our lap around the country fast approaching, and free time seemingly disappearing from the calendar, we decided a few months ago to lock in a date to hike to the top of Pigeon House Mountain on the south coast.  After all, it is not just the car we need to get ready! We picked our date carefully not to clash with any likely major events... until Kevin Rudd decided to change the election to our day of reckoning.

Initially we were going to plan a camping trip at Yadboro Flat, where we have camped previously.  Yadboro Flat is conveniently located in the upper Clyde River, and is a popular free camp, with plenty of space.  In the end we decided we would simply do a day trip, leaving early on the Saturday morning, and returning home after our hike.

We enjoyed an uneventful trip to the Pigeon House Mountain carpark, where we quickly topped up our water bottles, enjoyed morning tea and then set off to the summit.

The climb to the top is in three main stages.  An initial steep climb followed by a flat section, before the climb becomes steeper again, culminating in a series of steep ladders and steps to the peak.  We were interested to see how Master 8 and Master 6 1/2 would go, not just with the hike, but also the ladders at the peak.

The first bit was easy



Enjoying a break at the end of the first steep section - the summit is in view

As with previous walks we have done, the boys each carried a small pack, containing some nuts, space blanket, whistle, a small hand powered torch and a small water bottle.  The little packs make them feel as if they're contributing to the family, and give them a degree of independence.  We discussed a few scenarios with them, such as what they would do if they lost sight of us (Sit down and wait!) .


Enjoying a snack and a drink at another break

The walk is graded medium to hard, but we made pretty good time to the bottom of the first step.  And we were pleasantly suprised.  Everyone had said the steps were steep, but they were no steeper than the steps on many ships that we have previously worked on.  And as an added bonus they didn't rock as you climbed them!

The first series of ladders was easy

They got a little harder closer to the top (The Little Helper had a nervous moment)

We deliberately didn't make a big deal of the steps - we hadn't mentioned to the boys that they would be encountering them, nor that they were steep.  Indeed they weren't too bad at all.  And as the ladders climbed up inside a crevice, we never felt too exposed as if we were on an external rock face.  So in short we made it... and it took just an hour and three quarters to get to the summit!

At the top!

Spectacular view!

The walk back down was a little quicker, and we made good time to the carpark.  The boys kept up their enthusiasm, even pausing to smell some of the scents of the native shrubs that were in flower.

The path was lined with shrubs in flower



Before long we were back on the road, but as a last surprise, we decided to put on our swimming togs and go for a  dip in the Clyde River at Yadboro flat.  The water was a little chilly, but extremely refreshing.  After a short paddle, we changed into some fresh clothes, and got back into the car feeling as fresh as when we had departed in the morning - with the sense of satisfaction one has after achieving a physical goal!

Rocky looks better on the river bank than us in our togs!