...looking west from Pigeon House Mountain, Budawang Wilderness (please view magnified if you have time).
Today my daughter and I hiked to the top of Pigeon House Mountain http://365project.org/peterdegraaff/themes/2012-10-28. It was named by Captain Cook in 1770 who could see it from the ocean, as he sailed up the coast, and thought it looked like a pigeon house. It rises to 710 meters or over 2000 ft above sea level and is sandstone.
It is a category 4 hike and a test of fitness. Even though it is only 5kms return it takes around 4 hours. It is extremely steep and rough in parts. The final ascent to the summit is via ladders. The track ends at the western precipice with this view.
The great thing about this hike is the pay off: a spectacular view over the wilderness in four directions.
Several years ago I took my nephew and his girlfriend on this hike. When we reached the summit I told him to follow the track till he couldn't go any further. He got ahead but I knew he had reached this view when he exclaimed with delight "oh fuck!"
Fabulous indeed Peter!!!! Amazing depth and layers, love the huge expanse of wilderness. Must be a terrific feeling to just sit and absorb all that emptiness after that climb.
