An annual climb - Walsh`s Pyramid — David Taylor - Master Jeweller

Every year I like to make the journey at least once up Walsh`s Pyramid. Thursday this week I worked until about 11pm to make sure that I could finish work about 3pm the next day to head up.

Those of you that know the climb will already realise if that you start the 3klm ascent of the 922 metre tall mountain at 3pm and plan to spend any time at the summit, then you will more than likely be descending in the dark. That always happens with me as I go up to stay and watch sunset.

Part of the “Difficult” graded hike. 26th November 2021.

On this day as I started the climb up it started to rain. Looking at the clouds I figured that chances were I would get some sunshine after the rain which is usually the best time to take photos. I decided to continue.

Every year that I do the hike I wonder how many more years will I be able to do it. As I type this I am extremely sore from yesterdays effort and well and truly considering if I have done it for the last time, at least for a sunset and photographs.

When I go up for photographs my camera bag weighs about 15 kilos, my tripod another 2-3 kilos and 2 litres of water adds yet another 2 kilos. That is a lot to carry for my 75 kilogram frame.

My spot for the day, looking into Goldsborough Valley. 26th November 2021.

By the time I reached the summit the sun was trying to poke through the clouds. The summit is at the top left of the photo. As you can see I decided to drop back down a little from there to a spot with a great view of Goldsborough Valley, Mulgrave River, Gillies Range and the western side of the mountain.

Looking to the right of Goldsborough Valley the view of the ranges would tell the tale of the afternoon. Clouds would continue to roll in and the sun would try to put on a show. That said a kilometre up and you are above most of the clouds if not in them, what a view!

On the western side of the mountain these plants were in bloom. For many years I wondered what created that orangy red colour on the hillside.

During a short burst of sunshine I managed to get this closer backlit photo of the plant. The places that plants can grow never ceases to amaze me.

I stayed well and truly until after dark and nothing really happened. It was a lovely evening spent on the top of Walsh`s Pyramid. With the lights on in Goldsborough Valley it was now time to strap about 20 kilos to my back, a head lamp over my hat and head back down a wet and slippery 3 kilometre track.